Figures of Speech in the Bible

Taste, Touch, Smell, and Spiritual-Sense Imagery in the Bible

Spiritual-sense imagery uses taste, touch, smell, or trained senses to picture experiential knowledge, nearness, discernment, or acceptable worship.

Simple Definition Technical Definition Scripture Examples JSON Data

Simple definition

Spiritual-sense imagery uses taste, touch, smell, or trained senses to picture experiential knowledge, nearness, discernment, or acceptable worship.

Technical nameSpiritual senses imagery / taste-touch-smell sensory metaphor
Alternate namestaste imagery; touch imagery; aroma imagery; spiritual senses; sensory metaphor
Reader categoryEmbodied perception, testing, nearness, sacrificial aroma, discernment, and experiential knowledge / Spiritual-sense imagery
Bullinger classSupplemental biblical imagery form
Source hintWave 45 final gap-sweep draft; distinguish literal bodily action from figurative sensory theology and from isolated food or incense imagery.
Examples on page10

Technical definition

A sensory imagery cluster in which taste, touch, aroma, handling, trained senses, or fragrant offering language signifies reception of God, embodied witness, holiness, discernment, or sacrificial acceptance.

Publication note: Examples are curated from the final Wave 46 source state. Some examples carry review notes where final Bible-text stream verification may still be prudent before public release.

Scripture examples

These examples show how Taste, Touch, Smell, and Spiritual-Sense Imagery functions in biblical language, rhetoric, poetry, prophecy, narrative, or theological imagery.

Ps. 34:8
certain

taste and see that the LORD is good

Taste imagery invites experiential trust in God's goodness.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 45 final gap sweep rare forms/idioms/missing motif categories expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
Ps. 119:103
certain

sweeter than honey

The sweetness of God's words is pictured through taste.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 45 final gap sweep rare forms/idioms/missing motif categories expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
Song 2:3
likely

his fruit was sweet to my taste

Taste imagery contributes to the poem's language of delight.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 45 final gap sweep rare forms/idioms/missing motif categories expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
Isa. 6:7
certain

this has touched your lips

Touch at the lips signifies purifying contact from the altar.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 45 final gap sweep rare forms/idioms/missing motif categories expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
Mark 5:27-29
certain

touched his garment

Touch becomes the embodied point of contact for healing faith.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 45 final gap sweep rare forms/idioms/missing motif categories expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
Luke 24:39
certain

touch me and see

The risen Christ uses touch to confirm bodily resurrection.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 45 final gap sweep rare forms/idioms/missing motif categories expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
John 20:27
certain

put your finger here

Touch language addresses Thomas' demand for embodied witness.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 45 final gap sweep rare forms/idioms/missing motif categories expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
2 Cor. 2:15
certain

we are the aroma of Christ

Aroma imagery describes gospel witness as perceived before God.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 45 final gap sweep rare forms/idioms/missing motif categories expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
Eph. 5:2
certain

a fragrant offering

Christ's self-giving is pictured as sacrificial fragrance.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 45 final gap sweep rare forms/idioms/missing motif categories expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
Heb. 5:14
certain

senses trained to discern

Trained senses picture mature discernment between good and evil.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 45 final gap sweep rare forms/idioms/missing motif categories expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.

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