Oil: The Poor Employed in Extracted
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In biblical times, oil, particularly olive oil, was a staple commodity in the ancient Near East, serving various purposes from religious rituals to daily sustenance. The extraction and production of oil were labor-intensive processes that often involved the employment of the poor and marginalized members of society.

Biblical Context and Usage

Oil is frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing abundance, blessing, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. It was used for anointing kings and priests, as seen in the anointing of David by Samuel (1 Samuel 16:13: "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."). Oil was also a critical component in offerings and temple services (Exodus 30:24-25: "and 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. Prepare from these a holy anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a holy anointing oil.").

Economic and Social Aspects

The production of oil was a significant economic activity, and the labor involved in its extraction provided employment opportunities for the poor. The process of oil extraction included harvesting olives, crushing them in presses, and collecting the oil. This labor was often performed by those who did not own land or had limited means, providing them with a source of income.

The Bible acknowledges the plight of the poor and emphasizes the importance of fair treatment and justice for laborers. In Deuteronomy 24:14-15 , it is written: "Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise, he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin."

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Oil's symbolic significance extends beyond its economic value. It represents the anointing and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, as seen in the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), where oil symbolizes readiness and spiritual preparedness. The wise virgins' possession of oil signifies their preparedness for the bridegroom's arrival, highlighting the importance of spiritual vigilance.

Cultural Practices

In ancient Israel, oil was not only a commodity but also a part of daily life and cultural practices. It was used for cooking, lighting lamps, and as a base for perfumes and ointments. The presence of oil in a household was a sign of prosperity and divine favor, as reflected in the account of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:14-16), where a small jar of oil miraculously sustained her household during a famine.

Conclusion

The extraction of oil in biblical times was a vital economic activity that provided employment for the poor, reflecting the broader social and economic structures of ancient Israel. The Bible's teachings on justice and fair treatment of laborers underscore the importance of compassion and righteousness in economic dealings. Through its multifaceted symbolism, oil continues to hold spiritual significance, representing the anointing and presence of God in the lives of believers.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 24:11
Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of Orders.
... by these things, but they are merely employed to prepare ... and sanctified in body and
soul with the oil of the ... the wealth of the Church among the poor, that the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/luther/first principles of the reformation/of orders.htm

From his Entrance on the Ministry in 1815, to his Commission to ...
... resignation, than at the increase of corn, wine, or oil. ... was hard work for me, a
poor stripling, to ... great Master, whose whole life was employed in continually ...
/.../chapter ii from his entrance.htm

Of Vows. The Miserable Entanglements Caused by Vowing Rashly.
... herbs, and roots, their chief luxuries oil and pulse ... Wherefore, all their vigilance
is employed, not in rejecting kinds ... all his goods to feed the poor, and have ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 of vows the.htm

The Beginning of Justification. In what Sense Progressive.
... do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any ... marred by this variation; but
the Apostle employed the comparison ... It is very true that the poor world has ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 the beginning of.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... body of the god, and could only be extracted thence by ... the manufacture of an
intoxicating and narcotic drink employed either in ... I have not oppressed the poor! ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... and embittered many of those moments employed in gratifying ... But we must fix our
attention upon the poor tinker who ... his bowels like water, and like oil into his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... caravans employed in this traffic accomplished the greater part of ... and the decoration
of them is very poor, for art ... in which the first coup d'oil surpasses the ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Babylon was, however, at the outset, but a poor town, situated on both banks of
the ... for instance, if it is permissible to use a vague term employed by the ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... Ahura to reign, he who protects the poor." The effect ... bore resemblance in many ways
to that still employed by the ... of the De Iside, which was extracted from the ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... their monastery to Rome as the greatest expert in calumny, had been employed in
the ... And first of all, as to these poor weak women about whom he makes himself ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

Resources
What is the new anointing? | GotQuestions.org

What was the significance of the anointed priest? | GotQuestions.org

What is extreme unction / last rites? | 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: The Ointments of the Jews Made of Perfumes Mixed With
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