יִצְהָר (yits.har)
yits.har
oil
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 19 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun yits.har refers specifically to fresh, pure olive oil. It denotes the first pressing of olives, which yields a clear liquid that shines with natural brilliance. This distinguishes it from oil that has been stored or reused, emphasizing its initial state and high quality.
Scripture frequently pairs this word with fine flour and wine as symbols of abundance and blessing. In Deuteronomy 7:13, God promises these gifts to Israel as part of His covenant faithfulness. The imagery suggests something unadulterated and ready for immediate use, whether for anointing kings or fueling the temple lamps.
The root likely relates to brightness or shining, reflecting the visual quality of the pure oil. Translators often render it simply as "oil," but the Hebrew carries a sense of freshness and clarity that enriches the text’s description of divine provision and ritual purity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word yits.har points to the very first pressing of olives, a liquid so clear and pure it naturally shines. In ancient Israel, this was not just cooking fat but a symbol of God’s best provision. It represented freshness, brightness, and unadulterated blessing. When Scripture mentions this oil, it often highlights God’s desire to give His people the finest things, not leftovers.
For your faith life, this imagery reminds us that God’s grace is fresh and ready for immediate use. Just as this pure oil fueled the temple lamps or anointed kings, God’s Spirit provides clarity and strength for daily living. You do not need to search for something old or worn out; His provision is available now, bright and clear, to guide your steps and sustain your spirit.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 19 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ fresh oil/ your5×
- and/ fresh oil4×
- and/ the/ fresh oil3×
- the/ fresh oil2×
- fresh oil2×
- [the] fresh oil2×
- and/ <the>/ fresh oil1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/הַ/יִּצְהָ֔ר3×
- יִצְהָ֔ר2×
- וְ/יִצְהָרֶ֗/ךָ2×
- וְ/יִצְהָרֶ֔/ךָ2×
- יִצְהָר֙1×
- יִצְהָֽר\׃1×
- וְ/יִצְהָרֶֽ/ךָ\׃1×
- וְ/יִצְהָר֙1×
- וְ/יִצְהָֽר\׃1×
- וְ/יִצְהָ֔ר1×
- וְ/יִצְהָ֑ר1×
- וְ/הַ/יִּצְהָ֖ר1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 18:12
“I have given to you all the best of the oil, all the best of the vintage, and of the grain, the first fruits of them which they give to Yahweh.
This verse identifies the oil as a holy gift given specifically to the priests, showing that God’s best provision was set apart for sacred service.
-
Deuteronomy 7:13
He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your livestock and the young of your flock, in the land which he swore to your fathers to give you.
Here the oil is part of the covenant promise, linking material blessing directly to God’s faithfulness in keeping His word to Israel.
-
Joel 2:19
Yahweh answered his people, “Behold, I will send you grain, new wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied with them; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.
God promises to restore this specific oil after judgment, using it as a tangible sign that He will satisfy His people and remove their shame.