Definition and Description:
Olive-berries, commonly referred to as olives, are the fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea), a species native to the Mediterranean Basin. The olive tree is a small, evergreen tree that has been cultivated for thousands of years for its fruit and oil. The olive berry is a drupe, typically green when unripe and turning black or dark purple when ripe. Olives are a staple in Mediterranean diets and are highly valued for their oil, which is used for cooking, anointing, and in religious ceremonies.

Biblical Significance:
Olive trees and their fruit hold significant symbolic and practical importance in the Bible. The olive tree is often associated with peace, prosperity, and divine blessing. The olive branch, for instance, is a symbol of peace and reconciliation, as seen in the account of Noah's Ark when a dove returns with an olive leaf, indicating the receding of the floodwaters (Genesis 8:11).

The olive tree is also a symbol of Israel and God's covenant with His people. In Romans 11:17-24 , the Apostle Paul uses the imagery of an olive tree to describe the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles, illustrating how Gentiles are grafted into the rich root of the olive tree, symbolizing inclusion in God's promises.

Cultural and Religious Uses:
In ancient Israel, olive oil was a crucial commodity. It was used for lighting lamps, as an ingredient in offerings, and for anointing kings and priests. The anointing with olive oil signified consecration and the presence of the Holy Spirit. For example, in 1 Samuel 16:13 , Samuel anoints David with oil, and the Spirit of the LORD comes powerfully upon him.

The Mount of Olives, a significant location in the New Testament, is named for the olive groves that once covered its slopes. It is the site of many important events in the life of Jesus, including His ascension (Acts 1:9-12) and His prayer before His arrest (Matthew 26:30).

Symbolism and Metaphor:
Olive-berries and olive trees are often used metaphorically in Scripture to convey spiritual truths. The psalmist compares children to olive shoots around the table, symbolizing vitality and blessing (Psalm 128:3). The enduring nature of the olive tree, which can live for hundreds of years, represents faithfulness and resilience.

In Zechariah 4:11-14 , the prophet sees a vision of two olive trees supplying oil to a lampstand, symbolizing the continuous supply of God's Spirit to His people. This imagery is echoed in Revelation 11:4 , where the two witnesses are described as "the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the Lord of the earth."

Conclusion:
The olive-berry, with its rich historical, cultural, and spiritual significance, continues to be a powerful symbol in biblical literature. Its presence in Scripture underscores themes of peace, blessing, and the enduring faithfulness of God to His people.

False Profession.
... good olive-tree. Now these can bring forth nothing but wild olive-berries;
they cannot bring forth fruit unto God. Such are all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xx false profession.htm

The Tongue.
... illustration which follows: "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place, sweet
water and bitter?" "Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries, or a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/i the tongue.htm

James iii. 9-12
... Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can. the
fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive berries, either a vine figs? ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james iii 12-sep.htm

At the Feast of Tabernacles
... From the valleys and plains of Palestine the harvest had been gathered. The olive
berries had been picked, and the precious oil stored in bottles. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 49 at the feast.htm

Let us Therefore Examine Carefully the Real Significance of that ...
... its juice? Is foul blood pressed forth from the olive berries, and is oil
no longer supplied to the lamp, now extinguished? Have ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/2 let us therefore examine.htm

November 19 Morning
... bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine,
figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/november 19 morning.htm

Ninth Commandment
... Doth a fountain send forth at the same time sweet water and bitter? Can the
fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine figs? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/ninth commandment.htm

On the Sunday Called "Episozomenes," to those who had Come to ...
... bunch of grapes in the desert; and I beheld your fathers as the earliest fruit on
the fig tree." [1769] And again, of the city itself: "As olive berries on the ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xix on the sunday.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... good olive-tree. Now, these can bring nothing forth but wild olive berries,
they cannot bring forth fruit unto God. Such are all ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

Attributes of Selfishness.
... "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the
fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine figs? ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xvii attributes of selfishness.htm

Olive-berries (1 Occurrence)
Olive-berries. Olive, Olive-berries. Olive-branches . Multi-Version
Concordance Olive-berries (1 Occurrence). James ...
/o/olive-berries.htm - 6k

Berries (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BERRIES. ber'-is: Occurs in James 3:12 (the King
James Version) in the phrase "oliveberries" (elaiai). ...OLIVEBERRIES. ber'-iz. ...
/b/berries.htm - 7k

Olive (61 Occurrences)
... James (3:12) calls the fruit "oliveberries." The phrase "vineyards and olives"
(Judges 15:5, AV) should be simply "olive-yard," or "olive-garden," as in the ...
/o/olive.htm - 37k

Olive-branches (2 Occurrences)
Olive-branches. Olive-berries, Olive-branches. Olive-gardens . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (ASV DBY). Olive-berries, Olive-branches. Olive-gardens . ...
/o/olive-branches.htm - 7k

Fountain (57 Occurrences)
... bitter? (KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS). James 3:12 Can the fig tree,
my brethren, bear oliveberries? either a vine, figs? so ...
/f/fountain.htm - 30k

Either (152 Occurrences)
... James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear oliveberries? either a vine, figs?
so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. (KJV WEY ASV DBY NIV). ...
/e/either.htm - 38k

What is the significance of the olive tree in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What was olive oil a symbol of in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that the church has been grafted in Israel's place? | GotQuestions.org

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