ἔλαιον (elaion)
elaion
olive oil
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word elaion refers simply to olive oil, a staple commodity in the ancient Mediterranean world. It appears eleven times in the New Testament, serving as a practical detail that grounds spiritual teachings in daily life. In Matthew 25:3-4 and 8, it is the essential fuel for lamps, distinguishing the wise virgins who prepared for the bridegroom’s delay from those who were caught unready.
Beyond lighting homes, the sources highlight its role in care and honor. Mark 6:13 records disciples anointing the sick with oil for healing, while Luke 10:34 describes the Good Samaritan using it to bind wounds. It also signifies hospitality and respect, as when a host oils a guest’s head at a feast, a practice noted in Luke 7:46 and Psalm 23:5 (cited in Hebrews 1:9).
Its meaning is concrete rather than abstract. Translators consistently render it as "oil" or "olive oil," preserving its physical reality. Whether used for commerce, medicine, or ritual, elaion points to the tangible ways God’s people cared for one another and prepared for His presence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Olive oil was more than just a kitchen staple in the ancient world; it was a sign of care, honor, and readiness. When Jesus spoke about the ten virgins in Matthew 25, He used this everyday item to teach a serious lesson about being prepared for His return. The wise ones brought extra oil because they understood that waiting might take longer than expected. This reminds us that our faith is not just a momentary feeling but a steady commitment that requires preparation.
We also see this tangible element in how people cared for one another. In Luke 10, the Good Samaritan used oil to soothe the wounds of a stranger, showing that compassion often involves practical help. Similarly, James encourages believers to call for elders to pray and anoint the sick with oil, linking physical care with spiritual trust. These moments show that God uses simple, everyday things to bring healing and comfort.
Whether it is lighting a lamp or soothing a wound, olive oil points to the tangible ways we can love our neighbors and honor God. It invites us to look at our daily resources and ask how we might use them to prepare for eternity and care for those in need around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- oil5×
- with oil2×
- with [the] oil1×
- oil,1×
- of oil.1×
- With oil1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἔλαιον5×
- ἐλαίῳ3×
- ἔλαιον,1×
- ἐλαίου.1×
- ἐλαίου1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 25:3
Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,
This verse establishes the contrast between those who are spiritually prepared and those who are not, using the lack of oil as a symbol of unpreparedness.
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Luke 10:34
came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Here, oil is used practically to heal wounds, illustrating how Christian love involves tangible care for physical suffering.
-
James 5:14
Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;
This instruction links the physical act of anointing with prayer, showing that the church cares for both body and soul in times of illness.