Genesis 8:21

smelled the sweet savour A very strong anthropomorphism which only occurs here. "Sweet savour" is a technical expression in the language of Levitical sacrifice. Cf. Leviticus 1:9; Leviticus 1:13; Leviticus 1:17. Literally, it meant "the smell of complacence" or "satisfaction," with the idea of restfulness and calm produced. "Sweet savour" is, therefore, somewhat of a paraphrase based on the LXX ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας, Lat. odor suavitatis.

The technical term is employed to express that the offering is acceptable to God. The heart of the offerer is acceptable (the converse of Genesis 4:5). See the use made of the phrase "sweet savour" by St Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16.

The Babylonian version describes how "the gods smelt the goodly savour of the sacrifice, and swarmed like flies over the sacrifice."

in his heart Lit. "to his heart" = "to himself," an anthropomorphism similar to that in Genesis 6:6. LXX, in order to avoid the term, renders by διανοηθείς; Targum of Onkelos, "by his word."

curse i.e. do injury to by a sentence, or decree, of evil.

for man's sake, for that Better, as R. V. marg., sake; for the. The difference of the two renderings is obvious: (a) that of the text gives the reason for which God's curse had been inflicted upon the ground, i.e. man's sinfulness: (b) that of the margin gives the reason why God will not againcurse the ground, i.e. man is essentially sinful; he must not be expected to be otherwise. Perhaps the rendering of the margin which emphasizes the element of mercy is in better harmony with the context. The sentence already pronounced upon the earth in Genesis 3:17 (cf. Genesis 4:11-12) had rendered life arduous and distressing.

the imagination of man's heart Cf. Genesis 6:5.