Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Oil holds significant importance throughout the Bible, serving various roles in religious, cultural, and practical contexts. It is mentioned frequently in both the Old and New Testaments, symbolizing prosperity, divine blessing, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.1. Types and Uses of Oil In biblical times, oil was primarily derived from olives, a staple in the ancient Near Eastern diet and economy. Olive oil was used for cooking, lighting lamps, anointing, and as a base for perfumes and ointments. It was also a key ingredient in offerings and sacrifices. 2. Oil in Worship and Rituals Oil played a crucial role in religious ceremonies. It was used for anointing priests, kings, and prophets, signifying their consecration and divine appointment. In Exodus 30:25, God instructs Moses to make a sacred anointing oil: "Prepare from these a holy anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a holy anointing oil." The anointing of kings is exemplified in 1 Samuel 16:13, where Samuel anoints David: "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward." 3. Symbolism of Oil Oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit and divine favor. In the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), oil represents spiritual readiness and the presence of the Holy Spirit. The wise virgins' preparedness with oil for their lamps signifies their readiness for the bridegroom's arrival, a metaphor for Christ's return. 4. Oil as a Sign of Prosperity and Blessing Oil is often associated with abundance and God's blessing. In Deuteronomy 8:7-8, the Promised Land is described as "a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey." The presence of olive oil indicates fertility and prosperity. Psalm 23:5 illustrates oil as a symbol of blessing and honor: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." 5. Oil in Healing and Medicine Oil was used for medicinal purposes, as seen in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:34), where the Samaritan uses oil and wine to treat the wounds of the injured man. James 5:14 also mentions the use of oil in healing: "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord." 6. Oil in Daily Life In addition to its religious significance, oil was a vital part of daily life in biblical times. It was used for cooking, as a fuel for lamps, and in personal grooming. The widow of Zarephath's account in 1 Kings 17:12-16 highlights oil's role in sustenance, where a small amount of oil miraculously sustains her household during a famine. 7. Oil in Prophecy and Eschatology Oil is also present in prophetic and eschatological contexts. In Zechariah 4:2-6, the vision of the golden lampstand and two olive trees symbolizes God's Spirit empowering Zerubbabel to complete the temple, emphasizing the spiritual power represented by oil. Overall, oil in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol of God's provision, presence, and power, deeply woven into the fabric of biblical narrative and theology. Smith's Bible Dictionary OilOf the numerous substances, animal and vegetable, which were known to the ancients as yielding oil, the olive berry is the one of which most frequent mention is made in the Scriptures.
ATS Bible Dictionary OilWas employed from the earliest periods in the east, not only for the purpose of consecration, but to anoint the head, the beard, and the whole person in daily life, Genesis 28:18. See ANOINTING. It was also universally used for food, Ezekiel 16:13. Fresh and sweet olive oil was greatly preferred to butter and animal fat as a seasoning for food, and to this day in Syria almost every kind of food is cooked with oil. It had a place also among the meat-offerings in the temple, being usually mixed with the meal of the oblation, Le 5:11 6:21. For lamps, also, pure olive oil was regarded as the best, and was used in illuminating the tabernacle. These many uses for oil made the culture of the olive-tree an extensive and lucrative business, 1 Chronicles 27:28 Ezekiel 27:17 Hosea 12:1. Oil was as much an article of storage and of traffic as corn and wine, 2 Chronicles 32:28 Ezra 3:7. The best oil was obtained from the fruit while yet green by a slight beating or pressing, Exodus 27:20 29:40. The ripe fruit is now, and has been from ancient times, crushed by passing stone rollers over it. The crushed mass is then subjected to pressure in the oil-mill, Hebrew, gath-shemen. The olive-berries are not now trodden with the feet. This, however seems to have been practiced among the Hebrews, at least to some extent when the berries had become soft by keeping, Micah 6:15. Gethsemane, that is, oil-press, probably took its name originally from some oil-press in its vicinity. See OLIVE. Easton's Bible Dictionary Only olive oil seems to have been used among the Hebrews. It was used for many purposes: for anointing the body or the hair (Exodus 29:7; 2 Samuel 14:2; Psalm 23:5; 92:10; 104:15; Luke 7:46); in some of the offerings (Exodus 29:40; Leviticus 7:12; Numbers 6:15; 15:4), but was excluded from the sin-offering (Leviticus 5:11) and the jealousy-offering (Numbers 5:15); for burning in lamps (Exodus 25:6; 27:20; Matthew 25:3); for medicinal purposes (Isaiah 1:6; Luke 10:34; James 5:14); and for anointing the dead (Matthew 26:12; Luke 23:56).It was one of the most valuable products of the country (Deuteronomy 32:13; Ezek. 16:13), and formed an article of extensive commerce with Tyre (27:17). The use of it was a sign of gladness (Psalm 92:10; Isaiah 61:3), and its omission a token of sorrow (2 Samuel 14:2; Matthew 6:17). It was very abundant in Galilee. (see OLIVE.) Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Any one of a great variety of unctuous combustible substances, not miscible with water; as, olive oil, whale oil, rock oil, etc. They are of animal, vegetable, or mineral origin and of varied composition, and they are variously used for food, for solvents, for anointing, lubrication, illumination, etc. By extension, any substance of an oily consistency; as, oil of vitriol.2. (v. t.) To smear or rub over with oil; to lubricate with oil; to anoint with oil. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia OILoil (shemen; elaion): OIL TREE oil tre ('ets shemen (Isaiah 41:19), margin "oleaster," in Nehemiah 8:15, translated "wild olive," the King James Version "pine"; 'atse shemen, in 1 Kings 6:23, 31, 32, translated "olive wood"): The name "oleaster" used to be applied to the wild olive, but now belongs to quite another plant, the silver-berry, Eleagnus hortensis (Natural Order Elaeagnaceae), known in Arabic as Zeizafan. It is a pretty shrub with sweet-smelling white flowers and silver-grey-green leaves. It is difficult to see how all the three references can apply to this tree; it will suit the first two, but this small shrub would never supply wood for carpentry work such as that mentioned in 1 Kings, hence, the translation "olive wood." On the other hand, in the reference in Nehemiah 8:15, olive branches are mentioned just before, so the translation "wild olive" (the difference being too slight) is improbable. Post suggests the translation of 'ets shemen by PINE (which see), which if accepted would suit all the requirements. OIL, ANOINTING (shemen hamishchah): This holy oil, the composition of which is described in Exodus 30:22-33, was designed for use in the anointing of the tabernacle, its furniture and vessels, the altar and laver, and the priest, that being thus consecrated, they might be "most holy." It was to be "a holy anointing oil" unto Yahweh throughout all generations (30:31). On its uses, compare Exodus 37:29 Leviticus 8:12; Leviticus 10:7; Leviticus 21:10. The care of this holy oil was subsequently entrusted to Eleazar (Numbers 4:16); in later times it seems to have been prepared by the sons of the priests (1 Chronicles 9:30). There is a figurative allusion to the oil on Aaron's head in Psalm 133:2. OIL, BEATEN (Exodus 27:20 Leviticus 24:2 Numbers 28:5). BEATEN OIL See OIL (BEATEN). OIL PRESS See OIL; WINE PRESS. OIL, HOLY OIL, OLIVE See OIL; OLIVE TREE. Greek 1637. elaion -- olive oil ... olive oil. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: elaion Phonetic Spelling: (el'-ah-yon) Short Definition: olive oil Definition: olive oil, oil. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1637.htm - 7k 1472. egchrio -- to rub in (oil) 218. aleipho -- anoint. 3464. muron -- ointment 5548. chrio -- to anoint 5545. chrisma -- an anointing, unction 4641. sklerokardia -- hardness of heart 2985. lampas -- a torch 4646. skolios -- curved, winding, hence crooked 5547. Christos -- the Anointed One, Messiah, Christ Strong's Hebrew 3323. yitshar -- fresh oil... 3322, 3323. yitshar. 3324 . fresh oil. Transliteration: yitshar Phonetic Spelling: (yits-hawr') Short Definition: oil. Word Origin ... /hebrew/3323.htm - 6k 4887. meshach -- oil 6671. tsahar -- to press out oil 8081. shemen -- fat, oil 7021. qiqayon -- (a plant) perhaps castor-oil plant 7543. raqach -- to mix or compound oil or ointment 4886. mashach -- to smear, anoint 3849. log -- a log (a liquid measure) 3795. kathith -- beaten 1101. balal -- to mingle, mix, confuse, confound Library When the Oil Flows Oil and Wine Gethsemane, the Oil-Press November 27. "And the Remnant of the Oil . . . Shall Pour Upon the ... What the Oil in the Lamps Means. Whether Olive Oil is a Suitable Matter for this Sacrament? Whether the Oil Ought to be Consecrated? The Meal and Cruse of Oil. 1Ki 17:16 Thy Name is as Oil Poured Forth; Therefore have the virgins Loved ... Oil for Lamps. Matthew xxv. 1-13. Thesaurus Oil (281 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary Only olive oil seems to have been used among the Hebrews. It was used for many purposes: for anointing ... /o/oil.htm - 60k Oil-tree (5 Occurrences) Olive-oil (4 Occurrences) Oil-cakes (1 Occurrence) Oil-giving (2 Occurrences) Anointing-oil (1 Occurrence) Oil-making Deals (34 Occurrences) Drugs (8 Occurrences) Charger (17 Occurrences) Resources What was olive oil a symbol of in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgCan a Christian consider using CBD oil? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about anointing oil? | GotQuestions.org Oil: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Oil (281 Occurrences)Matthew 6:17 Matthew 25:3 Matthew 25:4 Matthew 25:8 Matthew 25:9 Matthew 25:10 Mark 6:13 Mark 14:4 Mark 14:8 Luke 7:46 Luke 10:34 Luke 16:6 John 11:2 John 12:3 Hebrews 1:9 James 5:14 Revelation 3:18 Revelation 6:6 Revelation 18:13 Genesis 28:18 Genesis 31:13 Genesis 35:14 Exodus 25:6 Exodus 27:20 Exodus 28:41 Exodus 29:2 Exodus 29:7 Exodus 29:21 Exodus 29:23 Exodus 29:36 Exodus 29:40 Exodus 30:24 Exodus 30:25 Exodus 30:26 Exodus 30:30 Exodus 30:31 Exodus 30:32 Exodus 31:11 Exodus 35:8 Exodus 35:14 Exodus 35:15 Exodus 35:28 Exodus 37:29 Exodus 39:37 Exodus 39:38 Exodus 40:9 Exodus 40:10 Exodus 40:11 Exodus 40:13 Exodus 40:15 Leviticus 2:1 Leviticus 2:2 Leviticus 2:4 Leviticus 2:5 Leviticus 2:6 Leviticus 2:7 Leviticus 2:15 Leviticus 2:16 Leviticus 5:11 Leviticus 6:15 Leviticus 6:21 Leviticus 7:10 Leviticus 7:12 Leviticus 8:2 Leviticus 8:10 Leviticus 8:11 Leviticus 8:12 Leviticus 8:26 Leviticus 8:30 Leviticus 9:4 Leviticus 10:7 Leviticus 14:10 Leviticus 14:12 Leviticus 14:15 Leviticus 14:16 Leviticus 14:17 Leviticus 14:18 Leviticus 14:21 Leviticus 14:24 Leviticus 14:26 Leviticus 14:27 Leviticus 14:28 Leviticus 14:29 Leviticus 16:32 Leviticus 21:10 Leviticus 21:12 Leviticus 23:13 Leviticus 24:2 Numbers 3:3 Numbers 4:9 Numbers 4:16 Numbers 5:15 Numbers 6:15 Numbers 7:1 Numbers 7:10 Numbers 7:13 Numbers 7:19 Numbers 7:25 Numbers 7:31 Numbers 7:37 Subtopics Oil used for Anointing the Person Oil used for Anointing the Sick Oil used for Anointing to offices of Trust Oil used in Idolatrous Worship Oil: Failure of, a Severe Calamity Oil: First-Fruits of, Given to God Oil: Illuminating, for Tabernacle Oil: Jews often Extravagant in the Use of Oil: Kinds of, Mentioned: Myrrh Oil: Kinds of, Mentioned: Olive Oil: Stores of, Laid up in Fortified Cities Oil: The Consolation of the Gospel Oil: The Ointments of the Jews Made of Perfumes Mixed With Oil: The Poor Employed in Extracted Oil: The Unction of the Holy Spirit Oil: when Fresh Especially Esteemed Related Terms Meat-offering (111 Occurrences) Meal-offering (120 Occurrences) Drink-offering (33 Occurrences) |