Topical Bible: Oil: Kept in Boxes

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, oil was a valuable commodity with a variety of uses, including religious, medicinal, and practical applications. The storage of oil in boxes, or containers, is a practice that reflects the importance and care given to this precious substance.

Biblical References and Context

Oil is frequently mentioned in the Bible, often symbolizing abundance, blessing, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. While the specific phrase "oil kept in boxes" is not directly found in the Berean Standard Bible, the concept of storing oil in containers is implied in several passages. For instance, in 2 Kings 4:1-7, the widow of a prophet approaches Elisha for help, and he instructs her to gather empty vessels to pour her small amount of oil into, resulting in a miraculous multiplication. This passage highlights the practice of storing oil in containers and the significance of oil as a means of sustenance and divine provision.

Cultural and Historical Significance

In ancient Israel, oil was typically stored in clay jars or flasks, which could be considered the "boxes" of the time. These containers were designed to protect the oil from contamination and spoilage, ensuring its availability for various uses. Olive oil, in particular, was a staple in the diet, used for cooking, lighting lamps, and anointing. The careful storage of oil underscores its value and the need to preserve it for both everyday and sacred purposes.

Religious and Symbolic Uses

Oil held a prominent place in religious rituals and ceremonies. It was used for anointing priests, kings, and prophets, signifying their consecration and divine appointment. In Exodus 30:22-25, God provides Moses with a specific recipe for the anointing oil, which was to be kept and used exclusively for sacred purposes. The storage of such oil in dedicated containers would have been essential to maintain its purity and sanctity.

The New Testament also references the use of oil in religious contexts. In Matthew 25:1-13, the Parable of the Ten Virgins illustrates the importance of being prepared for the coming of the bridegroom, with oil for their lamps symbolizing readiness and faithfulness. The wise virgins' careful storage of oil in their flasks emphasizes the need for vigilance and spiritual preparedness.

Practical Applications

Beyond its religious significance, oil was a practical necessity in daily life. It was used as a base for perfumes and ointments, as seen in the account of Mary anointing Jesus' feet with costly perfume in John 12:3. The storage of such valuable oil in alabaster jars or similar containers reflects its worth and the care taken to preserve it.

In summary, the practice of keeping oil in boxes or containers in biblical times highlights its multifaceted role in ancient society. Whether for religious, medicinal, or practical purposes, the careful storage of oil underscores its significance as a symbol of blessing, provision, and divine presence throughout the biblical narrative.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 9:1
And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said to him, Gird up your loins, and take this box of oil in your hand, and go to Ramothgilead:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Meditation ix. Private Instruction and Consecrations.
... and Holy Oils.7 He had there three boxes, two of ... of the consecration of the bread,
that he blessed the oil. ... It is a festival no longer kept in the Church on ...
/.../meditation ix private instruction and.htm

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
... and often most expensive (Matthew 26:7). The latter were prepared of oil and of
home or foreign perfumes, the dearest being kept in costly alabaster boxes. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 13 among the people.htm

The Circumcision of Jesus
... it with healing lotion and some soothing substance from the boxes. ... the entrance was
semicircular, and Joseph divided this oil by a ... The donkey was not kept here ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xii the circumcision of jesus.htm

Civ. Jesus Arrives and is Feasted at Bethany.
... the house of Lazarus and that he kept near Lazarus ... from some odorous plant or plants
and mingled with oil. ... was sealed in flasks or alabaster boxes and imported ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/civ jesus arrives and is.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire --(Continued)
... people were buried in rough-hewn wooden boxes, smaller at ... They kept at the disposal
of their needy customers an ... poured out from pure malice the oil which they ...
/.../chapter ithe close of the.htm

The Waterer Watered
... is only a handful of meal and a little oil in a ... to keep him from dying, and in so
doing he kept his own ... it shall all be taken down in those boxes which shall ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the waterer watered.htm

The Death of the Blessed virgin Mary at Ephesus
... a cell where her clothes and other belongings were kept. ... in length and breadth and
contained five boxes closed by ... and in the others chrism, oil, salt, other ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xviii the death of the.htm

The Transformation of Rome from a Pagan into a Christian City.
... capacity for wine, the metreta for oil, the modius ... plentiful supply of breadstuffs
was kept at the ... their granaries, wine-cellars, strong-boxes, and repositories ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter i the transformation of.htm

The Betrayal
... his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were ... the royal garden, and should
have kept its green ... the little moneys in buying alabaster boxes whose precious ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the betrayal.htm

The Maniac
... the disease, but the medicine; poetry partly kept him in ... put him in boiling oil;
for boiling oil is an ... both locked themselves up in two boxes, painted inside ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/ii the maniac.htm