Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Hebrew 7306 (רִיחַ, rîaḥ): To smell, perceive an odor.
• Strong's Hebrew 7381 (רֵיחַ, rêaḥ): Scent, fragrance, odor.
• Strong's Hebrew 8897 (בָּשַׂם, bāśam): To be fragrant, to spice.

These Hebrew terms similarly convey the dual nature of scent as both a literal and metaphorical element in the biblical narrative, often used to describe offerings, divine presence, and moral states.

Usage: The term ὀζώ is used in the context of describing the act of emitting a scent or odor. It can refer to both literal and metaphorical uses, such as the fragrance of incense or the stench of decay.

Context: The Greek word ὀζώ appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize the sensory experience of smell. While not frequently used, it carries significant implications when it does appear, often highlighting the contrast between purity and corruption, or life and death. In the cultural and religious context of the Bible, scents and odors were deeply symbolic. Fragrant offerings were pleasing to God, while foul odors were associated with decay and death.

In the Berean Standard Bible, the concept of smell is often linked to spiritual truths. For example, the "fragrance of Christ" is a metaphor for the life-giving and pleasing nature of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 2:15). Conversely, the stench of death is used to describe the consequences of sin and separation from God.

The use of ὀζώ in the New Testament serves to remind believers of the importance of living a life that is a "pleasing aroma" to God, reflecting holiness and righteousness. It also underscores the transformative power of Christ, who turns the stench of sin into the fragrance of salvation.