Topical Bible: Oil: Sold by Measure

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In biblical times, oil was a valuable commodity, often used for anointing, cooking, lighting, and as a trade item. The practice of selling oil by measure is mentioned in several passages of Scripture, highlighting its economic and cultural significance in ancient Israel and surrounding regions.

Economic Significance

Oil, particularly olive oil, was a staple in the ancient Near Eastern economy. It was used in religious rituals, daily life, and as a trade good. The sale of oil by measure indicates a structured market system where oil was a quantifiable and tradable commodity. This practice ensured fair trade and allowed for the regulation of commerce, which was essential for maintaining economic stability.

Biblical References

One of the notable references to oil being sold by measure is found in the account of the widow of Zarephath. In 1 Kings 17:12, the widow tells Elijah, "As surely as the LORD your God lives, I do not have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug." This passage illustrates the scarcity and preciousness of oil, as well as its role in sustaining life during times of famine.

In 2 Kings 4:1-7, the account of the widow's oil further emphasizes the concept of oil as a measured commodity. The prophet Elisha instructs the widow to gather empty vessels and pour her small amount of oil into them. Miraculously, the oil continues to flow until all the vessels are filled. Elisha then tells her, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left" (2 Kings 4:7). This narrative underscores the economic value of oil and its ability to provide for one's needs when sold by measure.

Cultural and Religious Context

Oil's significance extended beyond its economic value; it held cultural and religious importance as well. Anointing with oil was a common practice for consecrating priests, kings, and sacred objects. In Exodus 30:22-25, God instructs Moses to make a holy anointing oil, specifying the precise measurements of its ingredients. This detailed prescription highlights the importance of oil in religious ceremonies and its role in symbolizing God's blessing and presence.

The parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 also reflects the cultural practice of oil being sold by measure. The wise virgins bring extra oil for their lamps, while the foolish ones do not. When the foolish virgins realize they are running out of oil, they go to buy more, but it is too late. This parable uses the concept of oil as a measured and purchasable commodity to teach a spiritual lesson about preparedness and vigilance.

Conclusion

The practice of selling oil by measure in biblical times reveals its multifaceted role in the economy, culture, and religious life of ancient Israel. As a vital resource, oil was carefully measured and traded, reflecting its value and significance in the daily lives of the people. Through various biblical narratives, oil serves as a symbol of sustenance, blessing, and divine provision.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 5:11
And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 16:6
And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said to him, Take your bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Another Mode of Interpreting the Symbol of Wheat and Barley.
... reference to the abundance of grain, that provisions should be sold at a ... A measure
of wheat ... on the people of Rome a gratuitous diurnal allowance of oil, but he ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/another mode of interpreting the.htm

Second Great Group of Parables.
... but this was evidently a free man, for he was neither punished nor sold, but discharged ...
6 And he said, A hundred measures of oil. [The measure mentioned here ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcii second great group of 5.htm

Of the Third Seal.
... rule of justice also with regard to the oil and the ... From so uncertain a measure as
the ch??nix, how is it ... He permitted honours to be sold to no one within his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the third seal.htm

Joel's Rhapsody of the Locust Plague
... he giveth you the former rain in just measure, and he ... of wheat, and the fats shall
overflow with wine and oil. ... have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/joels rhapsody of the locust.htm

Our Miseries, Messengers of Mercy
... thee thy corn, and thy wine, and thy oil;" so they ... When at last God saw that this
measure did not move ... and yet, again, because of their sin, he sold them to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/our miseries messengers of mercy.htm

The Kingdom of God: Its Values
... one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that ... In the measure in which the will
of God is done ... foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter iv the kingdom of.htm

The Unjust Steward - Dives and Lazarus - Jewish Agricultural Notes ...
... was more than a fifth larger than the Jerusalem measure. ... a rare stroke of business,
since the oil was immediately afterwards re-sold for eight ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xviii the unjust steward.htm

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
... The wine, although not so plentiful as the oil, was generous ... much lower than in Judaea,
where one measure was said to ... they would not allow it to be sold at the ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 3 in galilee at.htm

John Chapter viii. 31-36
... For the Lord says, "Ye were sold for nought, and ye ... In the measure then spoken of
above, he felt himself to ... He poured in oil and wine, He healed the wounds, He ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xli john chapter viii.htm

This Letter was Written to Accompany the Publication of Sermon 221 ...
... Lord of all that he hath, shall be sold or redeemed ... brethren, I am cheered and comforted
beyond measure by the ... This prospect is as oil to my bones, and although ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/this letter was written to.htm