ἐλαιών (elaiōn)
elaiōn
Olivet
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun elaion refers to an olive grove or orchard, a place specifically planted with olive trees. In the New Testament, it appears twelve times, most frequently in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. The word denotes the physical location itself rather than the individual tree or the oil produced from its fruit.
This term is central to understanding key geographical settings in Jesus’ final days. It describes the Mount of Olives, where Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey (Luke 19:29) and often retired to pray after teaching in the temple (Luke 21:37). The Acts of the Apostles also mentions it as the location from which the disciples returned to Jerusalem after his ascension (Acts 1:12), noting that this mountain was near enough to be walked to within a Sabbath day’s journey.
Its use highlights the agricultural and topographical reality of first-century Judea. Olive groves were valuable economic assets, making their presence significant in narratives involving property, proximity, or retreat. The word anchors spiritual events in tangible, earthly spaces familiar to its original audience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word elaion points us to the Mount of Olives, a place where Jesus often sought quiet moments with His Father and shared deep conversations with His friends. In Luke 21:37, we see Him teaching by day and retiring there at night, showing that even in busy seasons, setting aside time for rest and prayer is vital. This mountain was not just a geographical marker but a sanctuary where the divine met the human in tangible ways.
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem from this slope (Luke 19:29), it marked a pivotal moment of humility and kingship. Later, after His resurrection, He ascended from nearby (Acts 1:12), leaving His followers with a promise of return. These events ground our faith in real history, reminding us that God works within the ordinary landscapes of our lives. We can find comfort knowing that our own 'mountains'—places of prayer, reflection, or transition—are held by the same faithful Lord.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Olives.4×
- of Olives3×
- of Olives,2×
- Olivet.1×
- Olivet,1×
- Olivet1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐλαιῶν3×
- ἐλαιῶν.¶2×
- ἐλαιῶν.2×
- ἐλαιῶν,2×
- Ἐλαιῶνος,1×
- Ἐλαιῶν.1×
- Ἐλαιῶν1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 21:37
Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple, and every night he would go out and spend the night on the mountain that is called Olivet.
This verse highlights Jesus' habitual practice of withdrawing to Olivet at night for rest and prayer amidst intense public ministry.
-
Luke 19:29
When he came near to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the mountain that is called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples,
It marks the specific starting point of Jesus' triumphal entry, emphasizing the humility of His approach on a donkey.
-
Acts 1:12
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
This reference anchors the Ascension in a known location, showing the physical distance between Jerusalem and the mountain as a Sabbath day's journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does elaion mean in the New Testament?
Why is the Mount of Olives significant in Jesus' ministry?
How far is the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem?
Every Occurrence (12 verses across 5 books)
Matthew 3 verses
When they came near to Jerusalem and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
Matthew 24:3As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be?…
Matthew 26:30When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.