Oil
Only olive oil seems to have been used among the Hebrews. It was used for many purposes: for anointing the body or the hair (Ex. 29:7; 2 Sam. 14:2; Ps. 23:5; 92:10; 104:15; Luke 7:46); in some of the offerings (Ex. 29:40; Lev. 7:12; Num. 6:15; 15:4), but was excluded from the sin-offering (Lev. 5:11) and the jealousy-offering (Num. 5:15); for burning in lamps (Ex. 25:6; 27:20; Matt. 25:3); for medicinal purposes (Isa. 1:6; Luke 10:34; James 5:14); and for anointing the dead (Matt. 26:12; Luke 23:56). It was one of the most valuable products of the country (Deut. 32:13; Ezek. 16:13), and formed an article of extensive commerce with Tyre (27:17). The use of it was a sign of gladness (Ps. 92:10; Isa. 61:3), and its omission a token of sorrow (2 Sam. 14:2; Matt. 6:17). It was very abundant in Galilee. (See [450]OLIVE.)
Passages cited in this entry
Exodus 29:7 · 2 Samuel 14:2 · Psalms 23:5 · Luke 7:46 · Exodus 29:40 · Leviticus 7:12 · Numbers 6:15 · Leviticus 5:11 · Numbers 5:15 · Exodus 25:6 · Matthew 25:3 · Isaiah 1:6 · Luke 10:34 · James 5:14 · Matthew 26:12 · Luke 23:56 · Deuteronomy 32:13 · Ezekiel 16:13 · Psalms 92:10 · Isaiah 61:3 · Matthew 6:17
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 3rd edition (1897). Public domain; text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library. A nineteenth-century Protestant reference: its dates, archaeology and judgements reflect the scholarship of its time and are not Imago Dei's editorial position.