Genesis 8:21

21. A sweet savour Or, an odour of rest . Septuagint, οσμην ευωδιας , the Levitical phrase often used of acceptable sacrifices, (comp . Leviticus 1:9; Leviticus 13:17; Leviticus 2:9, etc . ,) and is quoted by Paul (Ephesians 5:2) in reference to the great Antitype, who was at once Priest and Victim: “as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet-smelling savour.” Noah, as the priest of the new humanity, offers every clean bird and beast on his solitary altar, and consecrates the renewed earth to God. The whole earth is the altar on which the Infinite Victim is offered up as a spotless offering in behalf of all mankind; and in his dying cry are gathered the prayers of universal humanity, which some up before God as a savour of sweet smell. No other figure of speech could so perfectly and beautifully express God’s delight in genuine prayer that offering in which the soul’s very essence ascends to him.

The Lord said in his heart A divine soliloquy inspired by infinite tenderness and mercy. God smells the sweet savour of prayer that rises, and is to rise, from earth, especially that of the Great High Priest, and covenants with man not to smite the earth again.

Imagination of man’s heart The things imaged in his heart.

Evil from his youth From the very dawn of his consciousness. The reason here given for the divine promise seems strange at first, as if the magnitude and hopelessness of man’s sins were grounds of mercy, yet this is in perfect harmony with the whole plan of salvation. Man’s innate sinfulness is to the merciful God a reason why he is not to be treated as a being under law, and hence in fatherly mercy he makes with him a covenant of grace. This is the rich and tender purpose of the divine heart in regard to the child that is lost, and because he is so hopelessly lost. Interpretation should not strive to soften away the bold, strong language of texts like this. Let it be noted, that it is while Jehovah smells the sweet odour of sacrifice it is while man’s confession, consecration, and prayer rise before him that this soliloquy of mercy is spoken to his heart.