Oil
Only olive oil seems to have been used among the Hebrews. It was used for many purposes: for anointing the body or the hair (Ex 29:7; 2 Sam 14:2; Ps 23:5; Ps 92:10; Ps 104:15; Luke 7:46); in some of the offerings (Ex 29:40; Lev 7:12; Num 6:15; Num 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; Ex 27:20; Matt 25:3); for medicinal purposes (Isa 1:6; Luke 10:34; Jas 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 (Ezek 27:17).
The use of it was a sign of gladness (Ps 92:10; Isa 61:3), and its omission a token of sorrow (2 Sam 14:2; Matt 6:17). It was very abundant in Galilee. (See Olive.)
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
