Oil
Key Words
| Word/Phrase | Gloss | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| שֶׁמֶן | "oil" | Ps. |
| יִצְהָר | "oil" | Ps. |
| מָשַׁח | "anoint [with oil]" | Ps. 2:2 |
- The most common word for "oil" is שֶׁמֶן.
- "The Hebrew word יִצְהָר represents a higher quality of oil that was extracted with the first pressing" (see below on ancient setting).[1]
Ancient Setting
In ancient Israel, oil was extracted from olives. "Using poles, people dislodged olives from the tree (Is. 17:6) and then reduced them to pulp. When the pulp was placed in wicker baskets, the highest and lightest grade oil would run out, constituting the 'beaten oil' that is referred to several times in the Bible (e.g., Ex. 27:20; 29:40; Lev. 24:2; Num. 28:5; 1 Kings 5:25). After the lightest oil had been extracted, a lower grade oil was obtained by exerting further pressure on the pulp and heating it."[2] Oil was used in everyday life for "lighting, cooking, or medicinal purposes."[3] It was also used for acts of hospitality (Ps. 23:5; Luke 7:46). "In a climate where dry skin was a problem, especially for travelers, anointing with oil was a refreshment."[4] Oil also had a special religious function in ancient Israel. It was used "to anoint certain objects or people as an act of consecration."[5]
Target Domains
- In Psalm 2 Yahweh's representative king is referred to as his "anointed one" (מָשִׁיחַ). Israel's kings (along with priests and prophets) were anointed with olive oil as a symbol of their consecration to Yahweh (cf. 1 Sam. 16:12-13).