Anointed to Bless.
Direct references to olives and olive trees occur less than twenty times in the biblical story, but allusions to their primary product—olive oil—surface in over one hundred passages. Occupying a prominent place in Israel’s history of prophets, priests, and kings, the olive tree’s fruit—when pressed into liquid gold—serves God’s people as they journey back to Paradise as a sign of God’s commitment to his consecrated people.
Throughout the Torah we find frequent references to oil, often intertwined with the theme of God’s dwelling place. The first comes after Jacob’s dream, when he declares his place of rest “none other than the house of God” and anoints his stone pillow with oil, consecrating the site as God’s house (Bethel). Olive oil shows up in God’s construction plan for the tabernacle, the chosen fuel source for its ever-burning lamp. Eventually the entire tabernacle is sprinkled with oil (Exodus 40:9), along with Israel’s priests (Exodus 29:7, 21; Leviticus 8:12) and kings (1 Samuel 10:1, 16:13; 1 Kings 1:39)—each an extension of God’s presence among his people.
In addition to anointing places and people who represent God’s presence, olive trees become symbolic of blessing, prosperity, and abundance in the Israelite imagination. They’re repeatedly included in God’s description of the Promise Land (Deuteronomy 6:11; 8:8) as sources of joy and nourishment. Not enjoying one’s olive trees, conversely, is a curse of disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:40), a reflection of their value and vitality within the Israelite way of life.
The New Testament opens with an immediate tie to Israel’s history of consecration: Jesus is called “Christ” or “Messiah” (Matthew 1:1), which isn’t a name but a title—the “Anointed One.” Scenes of oil-soaked prophets, priests, and kings now seep into the Jesus story, with Matthew quickly identifying him as the true prophet, priest, and king. Soon we see—not just oil—but God’s Spirit, descending like a dove to anoint the water baptized Messiah—an echo of Noah’s olive-finding dove flooding into our minds. But unlike Noah, God didn’t anoint Jesus to chop down trees and build a world-saving boat; he anointed him to hang on a tree and become a world-saving sacrifice.
When Jesus’ public ministry begins, we find him and his followers anointing the sick with oil (Mark 6:13), a precursor of their post-resurrection practice (James 5:14). Upon conquering death, Jesus anoints his followers, transforming them into a “chosen people,” “royal priesthood,” and “holy nation,” (1 Peter 2:9) consecrated for good works (Titus 2:14). This new humanity, fashioned by grafting wild olive shoots into a cultivated olive tree (Romans 11:17–24), becomes an already-not-yet experience of God dwelling among his people once more.
Pressed and poured by prophets and priests, covering the heads of chosen kings, olive oil becomes Israel’s anti-death elixir, the aromatic opponent of decay’s sour scent. Jesus, our Anointed One, tastes death to undo death’s stench—a sweet-smelling sacrifice appointed to save God’s people. Fragrant and delicious, the olive tree now represents life and blessing—a reminder of the Garden we lost; hope for the Garden yet to come.
*Homer referred to olive oil by this phrase; Hippocrates called it “the great healer.”
Rooted Collection Engraving
The Rooted Collection illustrations are more than beautiful artwork; they’re daily reminders to follow Jesus who, unlike Adam, listened to God and chose the Tree of Life—even when it meant his own death. Add a Rooted engraving to you Bible here.