Olive oil has been used for millennia and is well regarded for many health benefits. This green or golden liquid, treasured by ancient cultures and modern chefs alike, plays a very important role throughout the pages of the Bible.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) contains predominantly healthful monounsaturated fatty acids, most notably oleic acid. It also contains polyphenols, which provide benefits in reduced inflammation and also have antioxidant properties that protect against oxidative cellular damage from free radicals. In addition, EVOO has anti-bacterial properties and helps promote healing of wounds (e.g., Luke 10:34). EVOO can have many benefits for heart health as well, and it serves as an excellent salad dressing and cooking oil. Olive trees are grown in many countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Tunisia are the largest olive oil producers, but other nations that grow olives include Australia, Argentina, Chile, China, and the United States.
The Bible first mentions oil in Genesis 28:18—after Jacob dreamed about a ladder reaching to Heaven, he poured oil on the rock where he had slept. Decades later, the Promised Land was called “a land of olive oil” (Deuteronomy 8:8). In the Exodus from Egypt, God gave Israel many instructions for the Tabernacle service, which included “oil for the light [the lamps], and spices for the anointing oil” (Exodus 25:6). The oil was to be “pure oil of pressed olives for the light” (Exodus 27:20).
Oil was used in the unleavened cakes for offerings (Exodus 29) and to consecrate the priests, as well as the Tabernacle, the ark, and many other things dedicated to the Lord. The holy anointing oil was to be olive oil infused with quality spices. The recipe was holy, not to be copied for ordinary use on punishment of death (Exodus 30:23–33). Later, kings were anointed. The Messiah (“anointed one”) is the King of kings (Revelation 19:16) and “a great High Priest” (Hebrews 4:14).
Anointing signified being consecrated for a divine purpose. James instructs Christians who are sick to ask the elders of His Church to anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:14). When anointing the sick, oil is used symbolically to represent God’s Spirit, love, and power to heal, Christ having suffered the wounds in His body for our healing (1 Peter 2:24).
The parable of the ten virgins gives us a vital lesson about being wise, watchful, prepared, and filled with God’s Holy Spirit—the wise virgins having enough oil to keep their lamps burning (Matthew 25:1–13). The prophet Zechariah was given a vision of a lampstand and two olive trees on each side of the lampstand, representing the two anointed ones who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth (Zechariah 4:1–5, 11–14). And it was revealed to the Apostle John that the two end-time witnesses are “the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth,” and they will prophesy for 1,260 days and be given great miracle-working power (Revelation 11:3–12).
Jesus spent a good deal of time on the Mount of Olives during His ministry. When He comes back, His feet will stand again on the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4). Let’s be thankful not only for God’s gift of physical olive oil, but especially for the awesome gift that oil symbolizes—the Holy Spirit, which enables us to be ready for our Savior’s return!