Bible Dictionaries
Oil

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Oil. The Hebrews used olive oil as butter and as animal fat is used with us, Deuteronomy 32:13; Job 24:11; Ezekiel 16:13. In some of the Hebrew thank-offerings oil was taken with the meat-offering. Leviticus 5:11; Leviticus 7:12; Numbers 5:15; Numbers 6:15; Exodus 29:40. Oil was used for anointing the head and the body; and in the preparation of ointments. Exodus 30:24; 2 Samuel 14:2; Psalms 23:5; Psalms 92:10; Psalms 104:15; Proverbs 21:17; Luke 7:46. The application of oil for medicinal purposes prevailed in the earliest periods. Isaiah 1:6; Hosea 12:1; Mark 6:13; James 5:14-15. Olive oil was extensively used for the lamps in the tabernacle. Exodus 27:20. The use of oil is significant of gladness, Psalms 141:5; Isaiah 61:3, and the omission of it betokened sorrow. 2 Samuel 14:2; Matthew 6:17. Oil was also the symbol of abundance and festivity. Deuteronomy 28:40; Ezekiel 27:17. The anointing with oil was symbolical of the unction of the Holy Spirit. Psalms 45:7; Zechariah 4:14; Isaiah 61:1; 1 John 2:20.

Bibliography Information
Rice, Edwin Wilbur, DD. Entry for 'Oil'. People's Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​rpd/​o/oil.html. 1893.