Levitical offerings send a "soothing aroma" (reyach nichoach) to Yahweh. Israel needs to produce good smells because her sin is noxious to Yahweh. When Israel rebels, His "nose burns." By slaughtering a substitute animal and turing it to smoke, Israel soothes Yahweh's hot nose.

But that can't be the whole story. The tribute offering (minchah, Leviticus 2) also produces a reyach nichoach (2:2, 9), even though there is no slaughter or blood.

In what way do grain-based offerings soothe Yahweh's burning nose? First, minchot are never offered alone, but always accompany animal offerings. Second, the offerings that produce sacrificial aromas are also "bridal food" ('ishshah, James Jordan's translation). The aroma is the perfume of the Bride as she approaches her divine Husband (see the aroma theology of the Song of Songs).

Third, Yahweh gives life by breathing into Adam's nose. Yahweh doesn't receive life from Israel; He doesn't need the aromas that ascend from human altars. Yet it's a fitting exchange that Israel responds to Yahweh's gift of breath by turning animals and grains to aromas for Yahweh's delight.

At the altar, sons of Adam are nose-to-nose with the Creator who gives life.