"olive oil, oil, Mt. 25:3, 4, 8; Mk. 6:13"
Definition and meaning
olive oil, oil, Mt. 25:3, 4, 8; Mk. 6:13
In the original Greek the word is written: ἔλαιον
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 elaion (G1637) across the King James Bible.
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G1637 (elaion) is a Greek word that means: olive oil, oil, Mt. 25:3, 4, 8; Mk. 6:13 It appears 11 times in the King James Bible.
The word elaion (G1637) appears 11 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1637 is elaion, a Greek word defined as: olive oil, oil, Mt. 25:3, 4, 8; Mk. 6:13. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
elaion is a Greek word found in the New Testament.