"an olive tree, Mt. 21:1; 24:3; an olive, fruit of the olive tree, Jas. 3:12, ὄρος τῶν ἐλαιῶν, the Mount of Olives, Mt. 21:1"
Definition and meaning
an olive tree, Mt. 21:1; 24:3; an olive, fruit of the olive tree, Jas. 3:12, ὄρος τῶν ἐλαιῶν, the Mount of Olives, Mt. 21:1
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐλαία
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of elaia (G1636) across the King James Bible.
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
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Common questions
Strong's G1636 (elaia) is a Greek word that means: an olive tree, Mt. 21:1; 24:3; an olive, fruit of the olive tree, Jas. 3:12, ὄρος τῶν ἐλαιῶν, the Mount of Olives, Mt. 21:1 It appears 15 times in the King James Bible.
The word elaia (G1636) appears 15 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1636 is elaia, a Greek word defined as: an olive tree, Mt. 21:1; 24:3; an olive, fruit of the olive tree, Jas. 3:12, ὄρος τῶν ἐλαιῶν, the Mount of Olives, Mt. 21:1. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
elaia is a Greek word found in the New Testament.