Why Olives?

Over the course of our class, there have been numerous references to olives and their importance in the biblical world and Jerusalem. After reading “City of Olive Branches” by Nizar Qabbani, my interest in discovering the significance of olives skyrocketed. 

Olives are referenced numerous times throughout the Bible. Still, two of the most interesting relationships between olives and religious symbolism are olives anointing capabilities and the belief that the Tree of Life within Eden may have been an olive tree. 

The first relationship I would like to discuss is olive oil's role in anointment. To be anointed with olive oil was a symbol that God favored you. Oftentimes, olive oil anointments were used to sanctify a person into a king or a person of importance, as seen within the book of Kings, Sam, and many of the books of the Bible. Other notable purposes of olive oil anointments were their medicinal purposes, as seen with the book of Luke regarding the good samaritan. 

 Objectively speaking, the importance of olive oil and its symbolism in the religious sphere could have been derived from ancient people’s preconceived beliefs of olive oil. Historical people believe that olive oil was the cleanest, clearest, brightest burning, and longest lasting (Ogden). In alignment with these beliefs, it is easy to see how olives and all derivatives of the fruit became symbols of prosperity and purity.  

Outside of anointment, the second most intersesting correlation I found between olives and the Bible is the  speculation that an olive tree is believed to be the Tree of Life within Eden. This belief originates from two biblical incidents; the first, Seth healing Adam with oil of the mercy; the second, a dove of from Noah’s arch carrying an olive branch (BMC). While there are candidates to what the Tree of Life actually may have been, the olive tree, in conjunction with its symbolism, makes one of the strongest arguments in my opinion. 

 In terms of Jerusalem, the prevalence of olives is evident, especially with the Mount of Olives. In Ferguson’s documentary, Jerusalem, the viewer is subjected to sights of the biblical landmark as well as the Easter procession to signify the day Jesus entered the city. The Mount of Olives also serves as a place of pilgrimage for Jews as it has historically been and continues to be a Jewish cemetery (Tourist Israel). 

After this research, it is now clear to me why olives are so significant to the religious world and that of Jerusalem. 

Works Cited

“Mount of Olives.” Tourist Israel, 3 Mar. 2021, https://www.touristisrael.com/mount-of-olives/27213/. 

Ogden, Kelly. When Did the Use of Consecrated Olive Oil in Priesthood Blessings Originate?, 1991, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1991/10/i-have-a-question/when-did-the-use-of-consecrated-olive-oil-in-priesthood-blessings-originate?lang=eng. 

Team, BMC. “The Symbolism of the Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life.” Pearl of Great Price Central, 3 June 2021, https://www.pearlofgreatpricecentral.org/the-symbolism-of-the-tree-of-knowledge-and-the-tree-of-life/.