← G1636 G1638 →

ἔλαιον

élaion

G1637 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ἐλαι- olive, oil

Definition

Olive oil—expressed or extracted from the fruit of the olive tree (ἑλαία), used fundamentally as a consumable liquid for food, but more broadly as a substance for anointing, medicinal uses, ceremonial purposes, fuel for lamps, and other domestic or cultic functions. In various contexts, denotes not just the material but also its ritual or economic significance.

Semantic Range

olive oil, edible oil, oil for lamps, oil for anointing, ritual or medicinal oil, oil as a trade commodity

Root / Etymology

From ἐλαία ('olive tree, olive'), with the neuter suffix -ον; directly related to the product of the olive tree. The term is a substantive formation from the root of ἐλαία.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἔλαιον primarily referred to olive oil, which was central to daily life, cuisine, hygiene, and economic exchange throughout the Mediterranean. Its usage extends to lighting (lamp oil), ritual anointing (including monarchic, priestly, and healing contexts), and as a trade commodity. In the Septuagint, ἔλαιον frequently renders the Hebrew שֶׁמֶן (shemen), representing oil used for both secular and religious purposes—including menorah lamps and temple offerings. In the New Testament, references to ἔλαιον evoke the material’s role in domestic, economic, and ritual spheres (e.g., lighting lamps in parables, anointing the sick in practice). Standard English translations as "oil" appropriately convey the surface meaning but sometimes underplay the cultural and ritual depth attached in ancient texts. Distinct from λιπαρός (relating to fat/grease in a general sense) or μύρον (perfumed oil for special anointing). The term maintains a strong association with olive origin; other types of oil are identified separately in Greek when intended.

Translation Consistency

primary "olive oil" 8 occurrences

ἔλαιον refers specifically to oil from the olive (used for food, anointing, lamps, medicine, trade). "Olive oil" is the natural, unambiguous English rendering that covers the full typical semantic range better than the shorter but potentially ambiguous "oil" or the noun "olive." It is concise and will read naturally across contexts.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"oil" (3x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter of the same as ἐλαία; olive oil:--oil.

Root Family

ἔλαιον (elaion) — olive, oil, olive oil

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1637-02 ἔλαιον elaion N ACC N SG oil of olive trees oil 6
G1637-01 ἐλαίῳ elaio N DAT N SG with oil with olive oil with olive oil 3
G1637-03 ἐλαίου elaiou N GEN N SG of oil of olive oil of olive oil 2

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1637-02 Matthew 25:3 ἔλαιον elaion N ACC N SG oil of olive trees oil
G1637-02 Matthew 25:4 ἔλαιον elaion N ACC N SG oil of olive trees olive oil
G1637-03 Matthew 25:8 ἐλαίου elaiou N GEN N SG oil of olive oil of olive oil
G1637-01 Mark 6:13 ἐλαίῳ elaio N DAT N SG with-oil with olive oil with olive oil
G1637-01 Luke 7:46 ἐλαίῳ elaio N DAT N SG with oil with olive oil with olive oil
G1637-02 Luke 10:34 ἔλαιον elaion N ACC N SG oil of olive trees oil
G1637-03 Luke 16:6 ἐλαίου elaiou N GEN N SG of oil of olive oil of olive oil
G1637-02 Hebrews 1:9 ἔλαιον elaion N ACC N SG oil of olive trees olive oil
G1637-01 James 5:14 ἐλαίῳ elaio N DAT N SG with oil with olive oil with olive oil
G1637-02 Revelation 6:6 ἔλαιον elaion N ACC N SG oil of olive trees oil
← G1636 Greek Lexicon G1638 →