Nose

The nose as part of the human body

Human life is given and sustained through the nostrils

Genesis 2:7 See also Genesis 7:22; Numbers 11:20; Job 27:3; Isaiah 2:22

Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.

The nose and the sense of smell

Genesis 27:27 See also Job 39:25; Song of Solomon 4:11; Daniel 3:27; Amos 4:10; 1 Corinthians 12:17

So he came near and kissed him. When Isaac smelled his clothing, he blessed him and said: “Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed.

Animals snort and sniff through their noses

Job 39:20, Job 41:18, Job 41:20; Jeremiah 2:24, Jeremiah 8:16

The nose and sneezing

2 Kings 4:35

The nose as an object of beauty

Song of Solomon 7:4

Your neck is like a tower made of ivory; your eyes are like the pools of Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim; your nose is like the tower of Lebanon, facing toward Damascus.

The nose may be adorned with rings

Ezekiel 16:12 See also Genesis 24:22, Genesis 24:30, Genesis 24:47; Isaiah 3:21

I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head.

The nose is vulnerable to attack

Proverbs 30:33 See also Ezekiel 23:25

For as the churning of milk yields butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so the stirring of anger brings forth strife.”

Captives are led by rings or hooks in the nose

2 Kings 19:28 parallel Isaiah 37:29 See also 2 Chronicles 33:11; Amos 4:2

Because your rage and arrogance against Me have reached My ears, I will put My hook in your nose and My bit in your mouth; I will send you back the way you came.’

Contempt is communicated by means of the nose

Psalm 10:5; Isaiah 57:4; Malachi 1:13; Luke 16:14, Luke 23:35; Acts 17:32

Offence is taken, metaphorically, by the nose

People take offence

2 Samuel 16:21 See also Genesis 34:30; Exodus 5:21; 2 Samuel 10:6 parallel 1 Chronicles 19:6

Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”

God takes offence

Isaiah 65:5

They say, ‘Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.

God's power is indicated by the blast of his nostrils

Exodus 15:8 See also 2 Samuel 22:9 parallel Psalm 18:8; 2 Samuel 22:16 parallel Psalm 18:15

At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up; like a wall the currents stood firm; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea.

Lifeless idols have noses

Psalm 115:6 See also Deuteronomy 4:28

they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell;