Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 4000 Creation » 4400 Vegetation and food » 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; Matthew 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 1 Chronicles 12:40; 2 Chronicles 11:11 As a fuel for lamps Exodus 27:20 pp Leviticus 24:2 See also Exodus 35:14 pp Exodus 39:37; Numbers 4:9; Matthew 25:1-10 Mixed with flour in baking 1 Kings 17:12-16 See also Exodus 29:23; Numbers 11:8 As an ointment Isaiah 1:6 See also Psalm 55:21; Luke 10:34 Oil for use in the sanctuary Nehemiah 10:39 See also Exodus 25:6 pp Exodus 35:8; Numbers 4:16; 1 Chronicles 9:29; Ezra 6:9 Oil used for ceremonial anointing Instructions for making and using the anointing oil Exodus 30:23-33 See also Exodus 31:11; Exodus 37:29 Holy objects were consecrated by anointing with oil Jacob twice anoints a pillar at Bethel: Genesis 28:18; Genesis 31:13; Genesis 35:14 God's command to anoint the tabernacle and its furnishings: Exodus 40:9-11; Leviticus 8:10-11 Priests were ordained by anointing with oil Leviticus 8:12 pp Exodus 29:7 See also Exodus 29:21 pp Leviticus 8:30; Leviticus 10:7; Leviticus 21:10-12; Psalm 133:2; Zechariah 4:12-14 Kings were anointed with oil 1 Samuel 10:1 Saul David. Anointing with oil is associated with the gift of the Holy Spirit: 1 Samuel 16:13; Psalm 89:20 1 Kings 1:39 Solomon; 2 Kings 9:1-6 Jehu Further ceremonial uses of oil In ceremonial cleansing Leviticus 14:15-18,24-29 In offerings At the consecration of priests: At the daily sacrifice: With the grain offering: Leviticus 2:1-7; Leviticus 6:20-21; Numbers 7:13 Leviticus 7:12 with the thank offering; Numbers 6:15 at the completion of the Nazirite's vow With the burnt offering: Numbers 28:9,28; Ezekiel 46:4-5 Oil was excluded from certain offerings Oil used to anoint the sick James 5:14 See also Mark 6:13 God's provision of oil Oil as a sign of God's blessing Deuteronomy 32:13 See also Deuteronomy 7:13; Deuteronomy 8:7-8; Deuteronomy 11:14; Hosea 2:8 Oil withdrawn as a sign of judgment Deuteronomy 28:40 See also Deuteronomy 28:51; Joel 1:10; Micah 6:15; Haggai 1:11 Renewed provision of oil following restoration Jeremiah 31:12 See also Hosea 2:22; Joel 2:18-19,24 The firstfruits of the oil harvest Numbers 18:12; Deuteronomy 18:4; 2 Chronicles 31:5; Nehemiah 10:37 Tithes of oil Deuteronomy 12:17; Deuteronomy 14:23; Nehemiah 13:12 Oil as a commodity for trade 1 Kings 5:11 pp 2 Chronicles 2:10; Ezra 3:7; Ezekiel 27:17; Hosea 12:1 Oil as a sign of prosperity Job 29:6 See also Deuteronomy 33:24; 2 Kings 20:13 pp Isaiah 39:2; Proverbs 21:20; Isaiah 57:9; Ezekiel 16:18-19 Oil associated with celebration Psalm 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 Psalm 104:15; Ecclesiastes 9:8; Isaiah 61:3; Matthew 6:17 Oil draws attention away from the fact that a person is fasting; Hebrews 1:9 Oil as a sign of honour Psalm 23:5 Oil was used to anoint the heads of honoured guests at a meal. See also Psalm 141:5; Luke 7:46 See also
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