Topical Bible: Oil used for Lamps

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In biblical times, oil played a significant role in daily life and religious practices, particularly as fuel for lamps. The primary type of oil used for this purpose was olive oil, a staple in the ancient Near East due to its availability and efficiency as a source of light.

Biblical References and Symbolism

The use of oil for lamps is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, highlighting its practical and symbolic importance. In the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites to use pure olive oil for the lamps in the Tabernacle. Exodus 27:20 states, "And you are to command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually." This command underscores the necessity of maintaining a perpetual light before the Lord, symbolizing His eternal presence and guidance.

In the New Testament, Jesus uses the imagery of lamps and oil in His parables. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), the wise virgins take oil with their lamps, while the foolish ones do not. This parable emphasizes the importance of spiritual readiness and vigilance, with oil representing the preparedness and faithfulness required to meet the bridegroom, symbolizing Christ.

Cultural and Religious Practices

In ancient Israel, olive oil was not only a source of light but also a valuable commodity used in cooking, anointing, and offerings. The process of extracting oil from olives involved crushing the olives in a press, a labor-intensive task that produced the pure oil required for sacred purposes.

The Menorah, a seven-branched lampstand in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, was fueled by olive oil. This sacred lampstand is described in Exodus 25:31-40 and was to be kept burning continually as a symbol of God's eternal light and presence among His people.

Spiritual Lessons and Applications

The use of oil for lamps in Scripture serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual truths. The continuous burning of lamps in the Tabernacle and Temple signifies the constancy of God's presence and the light of His truth. Believers are called to be the light of the world, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:14-16 : "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."

Furthermore, the necessity of oil for maintaining light in lamps serves as a reminder of the need for the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. Just as oil fuels a lamp, the Holy Spirit empowers and sustains the spiritual life of Christians, enabling them to shine brightly in a dark world.

Conclusion

The biblical use of oil for lamps is rich with meaning, reflecting both the practical aspects of ancient life and profound spiritual truths. Through the imagery of oil and light, Scripture communicates the enduring presence of God, the call to spiritual readiness, and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 25:6
Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 27:20
And you shall command the children of Israel, that they bring you pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.
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Matthew 25:3
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
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Library

Conclusion of Our Lord's Discourse. Parables of virgins and ...
... and each group of five prepared by trimming the lamps, etc ... The oil of God's grace
is given without money and without ... [The verb "know" is here used, according to ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxv conclusion of our lords.htm

The Prodigal Son, and Other Stories.
... Jesus used to tell some very beautiful stories as He went slowly through the Holy
Land. ... They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them ...
/.../anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter x the prodigal son.htm

Matt. xxv. 1-30.
... As we have opportunity, let us help on our salvation, let us get oil for our lamps,
let us ... And if indeed we used it to this end, we should be imitating our ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxviii matt xxv 1-30.htm

Simon Cephas Said unto Him, Our Lord, is it to us that Thou Hast ...
... said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our ... Your loins shall be girded, and
your lamps lit; [2994 ... and wise and the word translated with control, used in a ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xliii simon cephas said.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxv. 1, "Then Shall the Kingdom ...
... to them that sell." In that ye have been used to live ... the praises of men, ye do not
carry oil with you ... because of those torches, because of those lamps; "I was ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xliii on the words.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... [Lamps were then crude affairs without chimneys, in which, for the most part, olive
oil was burned. Candles were not then known. The word candle, where used in ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 3.htm

Of the Priesthood of Aaron.
... They were also to keep oil already purified for the lamps; three of ... shekels; and
these were full of fine flour mingled with oil, such as they used on the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 of the priesthood.htm

Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week-On the Mount of Olives ...
... wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going ... when saying, that each has only
sufficient oil for what ... share of talents,' if only faithfully used for Christ ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii evening of the.htm

The Primitive Church.
... He was a very kind-hearted man, and used to say he had ... him to be put into a caldron
of boiling oil; but the ... as Isaiah had heard; he saw the seven lamps of fire ...
/.../yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxiv the primitive church.htm

Christ the Arrester of Incipient Evil and the Nourisher of ...
... hand"by which, of course, is meant flax used as a ... Christ will give you, in your
feebleness, the oil of His ... abide in Me.' How can the Temple lamps burn bright ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/christ the arrester of incipient.htm