Oil: Dealing In, a Trade
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In biblical times, oil was a significant commodity, integral to daily life, religious practices, and trade. The primary type of oil referenced in the Bible is olive oil, which was used for cooking, lighting, anointing, and as a base for perfumes and ointments. The production and trade of oil were vital to the economy of ancient Israel and surrounding regions.

Biblical References and Uses

Olive oil's importance is evident in various biblical passages. In Exodus 27:20, the Israelites are commanded to bring "pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually." This highlights its use in religious rituals, particularly in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple.

Oil was also a symbol of prosperity and blessing. In Deuteronomy 8:8, 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 abundance of oil signified God's provision and favor.

Trade and Commerce

The trade of oil was a significant aspect of ancient commerce. Ezekiel 27:17 mentions Judah and Israel trading with Tyre, providing "wheat from Minnith, meal, honey, oil, and balm." This indicates that oil was a valuable export, contributing to the wealth and economic stability of the region.

The production of oil involved several steps, including harvesting olives, pressing them to extract the oil, and storing it in jars or skins for trade and use. The process required skill and labor, making it a specialized trade.

Economic and Social Impact

Oil trade had a profound impact on the social and economic structures of biblical societies. It provided livelihoods for many, from those who cultivated olive trees to those involved in its processing and distribution. The wealth generated from oil trade could influence social status and power dynamics within communities.

In 2 Kings 4:1-7, the widow of a prophet is instructed by Elisha to gather empty vessels and pour her small amount of oil into them. Miraculously, the oil multiplies, allowing her to sell it, pay her debts, and live on the remainder. This account underscores the economic value of oil and its potential to transform lives.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Beyond its economic importance, oil held deep spiritual significance. It was used in anointing rituals, symbolizing consecration and the Holy Spirit's presence. In 1 Samuel 16:13, Samuel anoints David with oil, and "the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David from that day forward."

Oil's role in anointing kings, priests, and prophets underscores its sacred nature and its association with divine favor and empowerment.

Conclusion

The trade of oil in biblical times was a multifaceted enterprise, deeply intertwined with the religious, economic, and social fabric of ancient societies. Its significance is reflected in its frequent mention throughout Scripture, serving as a symbol of blessing, prosperity, and divine presence.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Kings 4:7
Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt, and live you and your children of the rest.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Commerce
... consisted of such produce as wheat, oil, balsam, honey ... are some of the principal
ordinances relating to trade. ... regard to pledges, and in dealing with insolvent ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 12 commerce.htm

The Note of Idealism.
... Corn, wine and oil, houses, lands and station are all the ... more than they sought to
put in, dealing rather in ... Jesus Christ showed an interest in trade, and the ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter iii the note of.htm

Of Flattery.
... Description) its words are smoother than oil, and yet be ... Merchants are under a necessity
of dealing with the ... impudent falsehoods men of this trade will court ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section viii of flattery.htm

The American Experiments, 1734-1762.
... the Covenant." For the members of each trade or calling a ... As soon as the joiners
had the oil-mill ready ... He drew up regulations dealing with every detail of the ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiv the american experiments.htm

The Maniac
... own brains and other people's brains is a dangerous trade. ... And in dealing with those
whose morbidity has a touch ... But he can put him in boiling oil; for boiling ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/ii the maniac.htm

The Power of Little Things.
... wood, oil for the light, spices for anointing oil and for ... if we all go to work and
trade with the ... This personal and individual dealing is perfectly Scriptural. ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter vi the power of.htm

The Life of Mr. James Renwick.
... that they never met with such severe dealing from any ... prey, professing and prosecuting
a daily trade of destroying ... cast into a chaldron of burning oil, than do ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr james 6.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple.
... material for various offerings"salt, meal, oil, frankincense ... zeal for rectitude and
honourable dealing or for ... bargaining and the greedy eye of trade could not ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/vi the cleansing of the.htm

The Soul Winner
... If you can practice tricks of trade, and if you ... impregnable, men need to burn the
midnight oil and study ... Theories of dealing with souls may look very wise, but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the soul winner.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... to have their corn, wine, and oil increase in ... Is there no better merchandise to trade
in than what ... under men's elbows, and too few who, dealing plainly, divide ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

Resources
What was olive oil a symbol of in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Can 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 ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Oil

Oil for Domestic Use

Oil Press

Oil Tree

Oil used for Anointing Kings

Oil used for Anointing the Person

Oil used for Anointing the Sick

Oil used for Anointing to offices of Trust

Oil used for Food

Oil used for Idols

Oil used for Lamps

Oil used for the Head

Oil used in God's Worship

Oil used in Idolatrous Worship

Oil was Tithable by the Law

Oil: Canaan Abounded In

Oil: Comes Form the Earth

Oil: Commerce In

Oil: Dealing In, a Trade

Oil: Exported

Oil: Extracted by Presses

Oil: Failure of, a Severe Calamity

Oil: First-Fruits of, Given to God

Oil: Given by God

Oil: Healing

Oil: Illuminating, for Tabernacle

Oil: Jews often Extravagant in the Use of

Oil: Kept in Boxes

Oil: Kept in Cellars

Oil: Kept in Cruises

Oil: Kept in Horns

Oil: Kept in Pots

Oil: Kept in Storehouses

Oil: Kind Reproof

Oil: Kinds of, Mentioned: Myrrh

Oil: Kinds of, Mentioned: Olive

Oil: Miraculous Increase of

Oil: Penetrating

Oil: Petroleum (?)

Oil: Punishment for Profaning

Oil: Sacred

Oil: Smooth

Oil: Soft

Oil: Sold by Measure

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: Tribute Paid In

Oil: when Fresh Especially Esteemed

Petroleum: Figurative

Related Terms

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)

Platter (20 Occurrences)

Spice (25 Occurrences)

Perfumer (4 Occurrences)

Baked (26 Occurrences)

Saturated (3 Occurrences)

Meal-time (1 Occurrence)

Mealtime (1 Occurrence)

Baths (8 Occurrences)

Cruse (11 Occurrences)

Mingled (62 Occurrences)

Plate (34 Occurrences)

Meals (8 Occurrences)

Yeast (48 Occurrences)

Ephah (55 Occurrences)

Perfumes (69 Occurrences)

Shekel (37 Occurrences)

Poureth (28 Occurrences)

Cinnamon (4 Occurrences)

Dish (54 Occurrences)

Anointing (39 Occurrences)

Scale (38 Occurrences)

Bowl (44 Occurrences)

Meat-offering (111 Occurrences)

Shekels (92 Occurrences)

Mixed (96 Occurrences)

Meal-offering (120 Occurrences)

Cereal (124 Occurrences)

Bottle (28 Occurrences)

Sprinkling (48 Occurrences)

Cooked (35 Occurrences)

Baken (7 Occurrences)

Cassia (3 Occurrences)

Afford (12 Occurrences)

Anointeth (6 Occurrences)

Soaked (7 Occurrences)

Beaten (73 Occurrences)

Soothing (40 Occurrences)

Drink-offering (33 Occurrences)

Basin (37 Occurrences)

Stirred (64 Occurrences)

Storehouses (23 Occurrences)

Shewbread (16 Occurrences)

Anoint (59 Occurrences)

Suffice (22 Occurrences)

Quarter (33 Occurrences)

Cakes (65 Occurrences)

Spices (64 Occurrences)

Box (13 Occurrences)

Sprinkled (55 Occurrences)

Palm (49 Occurrences)

Perfume (202 Occurrences)

Cake (25 Occurrences)

Sweet (147 Occurrences)

Pour (137 Occurrences)

Seventy (97 Occurrences)

Prescribed (31 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Expression (17 Occurrences)

Memorial-part (7 Occurrences)

Madia (1 Occurrence)

Praise-offering (5 Occurrences)

Perfume-maker (3 Occurrences)

Barrel (3 Occurrences)

Blended (5 Occurrences)

Cors (6 Occurrences)

Compounder (3 Occurrences)

Compound (3 Occurrences)

Contributions (19 Occurrences)

Oil: Commerce In
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