An olive-yard, also known as an olive grove or olive orchard, is a cultivated area where olive trees are grown. Olive trees have been a significant part of the agricultural and economic life in the ancient Near East, particularly in Israel and surrounding regions. The olive tree is one of the most frequently mentioned plants in the Bible, symbolizing peace, prosperity, and divine blessing.

Biblical References:

1. Agricultural Significance:
Olive-yards were an essential part of the agrarian society in biblical times. The cultivation of olives provided oil, which was a staple in the diet, used for anointing, lighting lamps, and as a base for perfumes and ointments. In Deuteronomy 6:11, the Israelites are promised "houses full of every good thing that you did not fill, and wells that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant," highlighting the abundance and blessing associated with olive-yards.

2. Symbol of Prosperity and Blessing:
The olive tree and its produce are often used as symbols of prosperity and divine favor. In Psalm 128:3, the psalmist writes, "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children like olive shoots around your table." This imagery conveys the idea of a blessed and prosperous family life.

3. Judgment and Restoration:
Olive-yards also appear in contexts of judgment and restoration. In Habakkuk 3:17, the prophet laments, "Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls," illustrating a time of desolation and divine judgment. Conversely, the restoration of olive-yards is a sign of God's favor and the renewal of His covenant with His people.

4. Legal and Social Aspects:
The Law of Moses includes specific instructions regarding olive-yards. In Deuteronomy 24:20, it is commanded, "When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow." This law reflects the social justice principles embedded in the Mosaic Law, ensuring provision for the marginalized.

5. Parables and Teachings:
Olive-yards are used in parables and teachings of Jesus to convey spiritual truths. In the Parable of the Tenants (Matthew 21:33-41), Jesus speaks of a landowner who plants a vineyard, which often included olive trees, and leases it to tenants. This parable illustrates themes of stewardship, accountability, and the rejection of God's messengers.

Cultural and Historical Context:

Olive cultivation dates back thousands of years and was a critical component of the economy in ancient Israel. The process of growing, harvesting, and pressing olives for oil was labor-intensive but highly valued. Olive oil was not only a dietary staple but also played a crucial role in religious rituals and daily life.

The olive tree's resilience and longevity made it a powerful symbol of endurance and faithfulness. Its ability to thrive in rocky and arid conditions mirrors the spiritual perseverance expected of God's people.

Conclusion:

The olive-yard, with its rich biblical symbolism and practical importance, serves as a profound reminder of God's provision, blessing, and the call to righteous living. Through the imagery of olive-yards, the Bible communicates themes of abundance, judgment, restoration, and social justice, reflecting the heart of God's covenant relationship with His people.1638. elaion -- an olive orchard, ie spec. the Mt. of Olives
... of Olives. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: elaion Phonetic Spelling:
(el-ah-yone') Short Definition: Olive-grove, Olive-yard, the mount Olivet ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1638.htm - 7k

In the Garden of Gethsemane
... As the word Gethsemane means the "oil press" the "Garden" was in all probability
an olive yard, whose actual site, though it cannot be determined with certainty ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/in the garden of gethsemane.htm

History and Doctrines of Heresies.
... the clouds that they rain no rain upon it." [3185] He has therefore "left His people
as a tent in a vineyard, and as a garner in a fig or olive yard, and as a ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii history and doctrines of.htm

When a Man Sows, He Expects to Reap.
... In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy olive yard." From
the anointing of Saul to be king this law was not observed. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter iii when a man.htm

Epistle Li. To Antonianus About Cornelius and Novatian.
... diligently persevere in its cultivation; but you shall reap no harvest, you shall
press no vintage, you shall receive no fruits of your olive-yard, you shall ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle li to antonianus about.htm

Oliveyard (4 Occurrences)
...Oliveyard (4 Occurrences). ... (WEY). Acts 1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from
the mountain called the Oliveyard, which is near Jerusalem, about a mile off. ...
/o/oliveyard.htm - 7k

Olive-yard (2 Occurrences)
Olive-yard. Oliveyard, Olive-yard. Oliveyards . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(YLT). Oliveyard, Olive-yard. Oliveyards . Reference Bible.
/o/olive-yard.htm - 7k

Olive (61 Occurrences)
... vineyards and olives" (Judges 15:5, AV) should be simply "olive-yard," or "olive ...
In starting an oliveyard the fellah not infrequently plants young wild olive ...
/o/olive.htm - 37k

Oliveyards (6 Occurrences)

/o/oliveyards.htm - 8k

Yard (8 Occurrences)
... cows. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OLIVEYARD. ol'-iv yard. See OLIVE
TREE. Multi-Version Concordance Yard (8 Occurrences). Acts ...
/y/yard.htm - 10k

Kindleth (9 Occurrences)
... torches, and sendeth 'them' out into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burneth
'it' from heap even unto standing corn, even unto vineyard -- olive-yard...
/k/kindleth.htm - 9k

Needy (83 Occurrences)
... and hast left it, and the needy of thy people have eaten, and their leaving doth
the beast of the field eat; so dost thou to thy vineyard -- to thine olive-yard...
/n/needy.htm - 30k

Olives (30 Occurrences)
... Churches and Ecclesiastical Traditions LITERATURE Olivet comes to us through the
Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 AD) Oliverum, "an oliveyard." 1. Names ...
/o/olives.htm - 37k

Olive-wood (4 Occurrences)
Olive-wood. Olivewood, Olive-wood. Oliveyard . Multi-Version Concordance
Olive-wood (4 Occurrences). ... Olivewood, Olive-wood. Oliveyard . Reference Bible
/o/olive-wood.htm - 7k

What is the significance of the olive tree in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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