Smith's Bible Dictionary.pdf - Online Christian Library

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Of the numerous substances, animal and vegetable, which were known to the ancients as yielding
oil, the olive berry is the one of which most frequent mention is made in the Scriptures.
•Gathering,—The olive berry was either gathered by hand or shaken off carefully with a light reed
or stick.
•Pressing .—In order to make oil the fruit, was either bruised in a mortar crushed in a press loaded
with wood or stones, ground in a mill, or trodden with the feet. The “beaten” oil of (Exodus 27:20;
29:40; Leviticus 24:2; Numbers 28:6) was probably made by bruising in a mortar, It was used—
(1) As food. Dried wheat, boiled with either butter or oil, but generally the former, is a common
dish for all classes in Syria. (Exodus 29:2) (2) Cosmetic. Oil was used by the Jews for anointing
the body, e.g. after the bath, and giving to the skin and hair a smooth and comely appearance, e.g.
before an entertainment. (3) Funereal. The bodies of the dead were anointed with oil. (2 Samuel
14:2) (4) Medicinal. Isaiah alludes to the use of oil in medical treatment. (Isaiah 1:6) see also Mark
6:13; Jame 6:14 (5) For light. The oil for “the light” was expressly ordered to be olive oil, beaten.
(Matthew 25:3) (6) Ritual. Oil was poured on or mixed with the flour or meal used in offerings.
(Leviticus 8:12) Kings, priests and prophets were anointed with oil or ointment. (7) In offerings.
As so important a necessary of life, the Jew was required to include oil among his firstfruit offerings.
(Exodus 22:29; 23:16; Numbers 18:12) Tithes of oil were also required. (12:17) [Olive]
Oil Tree
(Heb. ets shemen). The Hebrew words occur in (Nehemiah 8:15) (Authorized Version “pine
branches”), (1 Kings 6:23) (“olive tree”) and in (Isaiah 41:19) (“oil tree”). From the passage in
Nehemiah, where the ets shemen is mentioned as distinct from the olive tree, if may perhaps be
identified with the zackum tree of the Arabs, the Balanites aegyptiaca, a well-known and abundant
shrub or small tree in the plain of Jordan. The zackum oil is held in high repute by the Arabs for
its medicinal properties. [Olive]
Ointment
(An oily or unctuous substance, usually compounded of oil with various spices and resins and
aromatics, and preserved in small alabaster boxes or cruses, in which the delicious aroma was best
preserved. Some of the ointments have been known to retain their: fragrance for several hundred
years. They were a much-coveted luxury, and often very expensive.—ED.)
•Cosmetic .—The Greek and Roman practice of anointing the head and clothes on festive occasions
prevailed also among the Egyptians, and appears to have had place among the Jews. (Ruth 3:2)
•Funereal .—Ointments as well as oil were used to anoint dead bodies and the clothes in which
they were wrapped. (Matthew 26:12)
•Medicinal .—Ointment formed an important feature in ancient medical treatment. (Isaiah 1:6;
Jeremiah 8:22; John 9:6; Revelation 3:18) etc.
•Ritual.—Besides the oil used in many ceremonial observances, a special ointment was appointed
to be used in consecration. (Exodus 30:23,33; 29:7; 37:29; 40:9,15) A person whose business it
was to compound ointments in general was called an “apothecary.” (Nehemiah 3:8) The work was
sometimes carried on by woman “confectionaries.” (1 Samuel 8:13)
Old Testament
I. TEXT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.—
•History of the text. -A history of the text of the Old Testament should properly commence from
the date of the completion of the canon. As regards the form in which the sacred writings were
little doubt that the text was ordinarily were preserved, there can be written on skins, rolled up
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William Smith