4488 oil

Normally olive oil, which was in plentiful supply in Israel and in general household use. Its ritual uses included the anointing of priests and kings and ceremonial cleansing; in the NT oil was used to anoint the sick. As a sign of God’s provision for his people, oil was associated with prosperity and gladness, and was a mark of spiritual blessing.

The production of oil

Job 24:11 Olives were pressed either with a pestle and mortar or in a stone press; Mt 26:36 “Gethsemane” means “oil press”, named after the stone presses associated with the Mount of Olives.

General uses of oil

As a necessary provision 1Ch 12:40; 2Ch 11:11

As a fuel for lamps Ex 27:20 pp Lev 24:2 See also Ex 35:14 pp Ex 39:37; Nu 4:9; Mt 25:1-10

Mixed with flour in baking 1Ki 17:12-16 See also Ex 29:23; Nu 11:8

As an ointment Isa 1:6 See also Ps 55:21; Lk 10:34

Oil for use in the sanctuary

Ne 10:39 See also Ex 25:6 pp Ex 35:8; Nu 4:16; 1Ch 9:29; Ezr 6:9

Oil used for ceremonial anointing

Instructions for making and using the anointing oil Ex 30:23-33 See also Ex 31:11; Ex 37:29

Holy objects were consecrated by anointing with oil Jacob twice anoints a pillar at Bethel: Ge 28:18; Ge 31:13; Ge 35:14 God’s command to anoint the tabernacle and its furnishings: Ex 40:9-11; Lev 8:10-11

Priests were ordained by anointing with oil Lev 8:12 pp Ex 29:7 See also Ex 29:21 pp Lev 8:30; Lev 10:7; Lev 21:10-12; Ps 133:2; Zec 4:12-14

Kings were anointed with oil 1Sa 10:1 Saul David. Anointing with oil is associated with the gift of the Holy Spirit: 1Sa 16:13; Ps 89:20
1Ki 1:39 Solomon; 2Ki 9:1-6 Jehu

Further ceremonial uses of oil

In ceremonial cleansing Lev 14:15-18,24-29

In offerings At the consecration of priests: Ex 29:2; Nu 8:8 At the daily sacrifice: Ex 29:40; Nu 28:5 With the grain offering: Lev 2:1-7; Lev 6:20-21; Nu 7:13
Lev 7:12 with the thank offering; Nu 6:15 at the completion of the Nazirite’s vow With the burnt offering: Nu 28:9,28; Eze 46:4-5

Oil was excluded from certain offerings Lev 5:11; Nu 5:15

Oil used to anoint the sick

Jas 5:14 See also Mk 6:13

God’s provision of oil

Oil as a sign of God’s blessing Dt 32:13 See also Dt 7:13; Dt 8:7-8; Dt 11:14; Hos 2:8

Oil withdrawn as a sign of judgment Dt 28:40 See also Dt 28:51; Joel 1:10; Mic 6:15; Hag 1:11

Renewed provision of oil following restoration Jer 31:12 See also Hos 2:22; Joel 2:18-19,24

The firstfruits of the oil harvest Nu 18:12; Dt 18:4; 2Ch 31:5; Ne 10:37

Tithes of oil Dt 12:17; Dt 14:23; Ne 13:12

Oil as a commodity for trade 1Ki 5:11 pp 2Ch 2:10; Ezr 3:7; Eze 27:17; Hos 12:1

Oil as a sign of prosperity Job 29:6 See also Dt 33:24; 2Ki 20:13 pp Isa 39:2; Pr 21:20; Isa 57:9; Eze 16:18-19

Oil associated with celebration Ps 45:7 The joy with which God anoints his servants is likened to the oil which anoints the bridegroom in preparation for his wedding. See also Ps 104:15; Ecc 9:8; Isa 61:3; Mt 6:17 Oil draws attention away from the fact that a person is fasting; Heb 1:9

Oil as a sign of honour Ps 23:5 Oil was used to anoint the heads of honoured guests at a meal. See also Ps 141:5; Lk 7:46

See also