Bible Dictionaries
Savor

　　A. Noun.

　　 Rêyach (רֵיחַ, Strong's #7381), “savor; smell; fragrance; aroma.” Of the 61 appearances of this word, 43 refer specifically to sacrifices made to God and appear in Genesis-Numbers and Ezekiel. This word refers to the “scent or smell” of a person or thing: “And he [Jacob] came near, … and he [Isaac] smelled the smell of his raiment …” (Gen. 27:27). In Song of Sol. 1:12 rêyach signifies the “fragrance” of perfume and in Song of Sol. 2:3 the “fragrance” of a flower.

　　 This word is used of a bad “smell” in Exod. 5:21: “… Because ye have made our savor to be abhorred [have made us odious] in the eyes of Pharaoh.…” Most frequently rêyach is used of the “odor” of a sacrifice being offered up to God. The sacrifice, or the essence of the thing it represents, ascends to God as a placating “odor”: “And the Lord smelled a sweet [NASB, “soothing”] savor …” (Gen. 8:21—the first occurrence of the word).

　　 B. Verb.

　　 Rûach (רוּחַ, Strong's #7306), “to perceive, enjoy, smell.” Gen. 8:21 is the first occurrence: “And the Lord smelled a sweet savor.…” The word appears about 14 times.