The olive has been linked to many attributes in the biblical literature: beauty, health, power and stability, a good reputation, rituals, and the anointing of kings. Symbolically, it represents the Holy Spirit.
The fruit resembles a plum in shape and in color, being first green, then pale, and black when ripe. It is gathered by shaking the limbs, and by beating them with poles, the only tree allowed to be beaten, according to Scripture. Olive oil was used extensively among the ancient Hebrews. The best oil is from olives plucked before being fully ripe, and then beaten or squeezed.
It can be used in several ways immediately after being pressed from the fruit, and does not require refinement. It can be burned in lamps, used as a cooking agent, or used for anointing, to name a few. In the anointing of the head, it is to present someone, appointed by God, to serve as priest, prophet or king. In other instances of anointing, the whole body can be rubbed in oil.
In Exodus 20, God commands that the people bring pure olive oil so that the lamps may burn continually. In Jeremiah 11, the people of Israel are likened, by God, to a green olive tree, beautiful with goodly fruit.
The olive has the following properties:
- Evergreen
- Fire, drought and pest resistant
- Can produce fruit for a thousand years or more
- Stump regrows after felling, easy to grow from sprigs
- Produces fragrant edible oil that can also be used for lamp oil
- Produces beautiful hardwood fit for making utensils
zayith: olive tree, olive
Original Word: זַ֫יִת
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Phonetic Spelling: (zay'-yith)
Short Definition: olive
from an unused root word Ziv: an olive
(Ziv: the second month of the Jewish calendar)
Original Word: זִו
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Phonetic Spelling: (zeev')
Short Definition: Ziv
from an unused root word: to be prominent, brightness