ὀσμή
osmḗ
G3744 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
sense-perceived smell; specifically, a scent or odour, whether pleasant (fragrance) or unpleasant; in extended usage, a metaphorical fragrance, such as an aura or influence, particularly in rhetorical contexts (e.g., offering, reputation).
Semantic Range
scent, odour, fragrance, aroma, savour, smell (literal or figurative), influence (figurative)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root ὀζ- (relating to smell, as in ὄζω, 'to smell'), with the feminine noun suffix -μή. Cognate with terms for smell in earlier Greek; the literal sense is primary.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ὀσμή generally refers neutrally to any perceived odour, whether positive or negative. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, the word often acquires a positive connotation as 'fragrance'—for example, the 'pleasing aroma' of sacrifices, likely as a calque for Hebrew רֵיחַ (rêaḥ). In the New Testament (e.g., 2 Cor 2:14-16), ὀσμή is used metaphorically to denote moral or spiritual influence (e.g., 'aroma of life' or 'aroma of death'), showing further figurative extension. English translations may overly narrow the term to 'fragrance' or 'odour,' but both positive and negative connotations are context dependent. Unlike μυρώδης (myrōdēs, perfumed), ὀσμή refers to scent generally, not exclusively to pleasant smells or spices.
Translation Consistency
Matches the majority of existing renderings and is a natural, neutral English term that covers both literal smells (pleasant or not) and figurative senses (aura, influence). More versatile than 'fragrance' (too positive) or 'smell' (often negative), so it best preserves the typical usage across contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὄζω; fragrance (literally or figuratively):--odour, savour.
Root Family
ὀζ- (ózō) — to smell, to emit odor
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G3605 | ὄζω | emits a stench |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3744-02 |
ὀσμὴν | osmen | N ACC F SG |
a fragrant | a scent | a scent | 3 |
G3744-01 |
ὀσμὴ | osme | N NOM F SG |
aroma | a scent | a scent | 2 |
G3744-03 |
ὀσμῆς | osmes | N GEN F SG |
fragrance | of scent | fragrance | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3744-03 |
John 12:3 | ὀσμῆς | osmes | N GEN F SG |
fragrance | of scent | fragrance |
G3744-02 |
2 Corinthians 2:14 | ὀσμὴν | osmen | N ACC F SG |
fragrance | a scent | a scent |
G3744-01 |
2 Corinthians 2:16 | ὀσμὴ | osme | N NOM F SG |
aroma | a scent | a scent |
G3744-01 |
2 Corinthians 2:16 | ὀσμὴ | osme-2 | N NOM F SG |
aroma | a scent | a scent |
G3744-02 |
Ephesians 5:2 | ὀσμὴν | osmen | N ACC F SG |
a fragrant | a scent | a scent |
G3744-02 |
Philippians 4:18 | ὀσμὴν | osmen | N ACC F SG |
an aroma | a scent | a scent |