Oil Only olive oil See ms to have been used among the Hebrews. It was used for many purposes: for anointing the body or the hair (
Ex 29:7;
2Sam 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 (2Sam 14:2; Matt 6:17). It was very abundant in Galilee. (See OLIVE)