OFTEN (MN, (Gr. rvicv6s, I Tim. v:23), an old English term for frequent. "Often messengers."—Shakespeare.
OG (6g), (Heb. ague, giant or long-necked), an Amoritish king of Basilan (Num. xxi:33; xxxii: 33; Deut. iv:47; xxxi:4).
In form he was a giant, so that his bed stead was preserved as a memorial of his huge stature (Deut. :11 ; Josh. xiii :12). (See BED.) He was defeated by the Israelites under Moses (Num. xxi :33 ; Deut. i :4 ; iii :3) ; and his coun try, which contained many walled cities (Dcut. iii :4-1o), was assigned to the tribe of Manasseh (Dent. iii :13 ; Josh. xiii :30). (Sec AMORITES; BASHAN ; GIANTS.) OHAD (o'had), (Heb. o' had, unity), third son of Simeon and head of a family (Gen. xlvi:to; Ex. vi:15), B. C. 187o.
OHEL (O'hel), (Heb. o'hel, tent), the fifth child of Zerubbabel, of the house of David (2 Chron. iii:2o), B. C. after 600.
OIL (oil). The Hebrew and Greek words trans lated oil in the A. V. are as follows: (1) sneh'men, grease, sometimes in A. V. "oint.
ment." (2) Heb. yits-hawr', shining, clear olive oil (Num. xviii:12; Deut. vii:13;. xi:14; xii:17; 2 Kings xviii:32, etc. (3) Chald. r".;1?, ynesh-akh' an unguent (only in Ezra vi:9; vii:22). (4) Gr. Aaiov, el' an-yon, neuter of word meaning "olive." Oil amongst the Hebrews, was made from olive berries and from spices (Exod. xxv:6). It was used: (t) In the preparation of food, much as butter and lard are used to-day (1 Kings xvii: 12-15; Exod. xxix:2; Lev. ii:4, etc.); (2) as a cosmetic for anointing the body, the beard, and the head (2 Sam. xiv:2; Ps. xxiii:5; Luke vii: 46, eto.) (see PERFUME); (3) for illuminating purposes in lamps (Exod. xxv:6; xxvii:2o; Matt. xxv:3, etc.) (see LAMP); (4) in worship. The first-fruits (Num. xviii:12), and the tithes were dedicated to the Lord (Nch. xiii:5). The meat offerings were also dipped in oil (Lev. ii:7; vii: to, etc.) (see OFFERING); (5) in the ritual of consecration of kings and high-priests (I Sam. x:t; Lev. viii:12, etc.); (6) for medicinal purposes (Mark vi:t3; Luke x:34; Is. i:6; James v:t4); (71 for anointing the dead (Matt. xxvi:12; Luke xxiii:56) (see ANOINTING).
The practice in the early Church of anointing the bodies of persons whose lives were despaired of was derived from Jas. v:14. The Roman
Catholic Church has placed the practice among the sacraments, denominating it "extreme unc tion." FiguratiVe. (1) As an ordinary cosmetic, the use of oil is significant of joy and gladness (Ps. xcii :to), and the omission of it betokens sorrow (2 Sant. xiv :2 ; Matt. vi:I7). (2) Oil represents the Holy Ghost's precious and diversi fied operations and graces, whereby Jesus and his people, and none other, are anointed to the serv ice of God (Exod. xxx :23-33 ; Cant. i :3; iv :to). (3) Persons "receive the oil of joy far mourn ing," when, by the comforting gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost, their hearts are healed, puri fied, invigorated, and honored (Is. lxi :3) ; but Jesus is "anointed with the oil of gladness" above them, having unmeasurable fullness of the graces and comforts of the Holy Ghost (Ps. xlv : 7). And his Dame, character, office, and works, are like ointment poured forth, most healing, re freshful, invigorating, and adorning to our soul (Cant. i :3). (4) The "golden oil emptied" out of the two olive trees which stand before the Lord, is not the comfort arising to the Hebrews, from the management of Zerubbabel and Joshua, or of Ezra and Nehemiah; but the gracious en dowments of the saints, proceeding from Jesus' two natures, or execution of his prophetic and kingly office on and in them (Zech. iv :12) ; this poured into their wounds, heals them (Luke x : 34). (5) The "oil" which true saints have in their lamps, is real grace which abides in them, and makes them shine as lights in the world (Matt. xxv :4). (6) Prosperity, spiritual or temporal, is likened to "oi/:" it comforts, invigorates, and renders men noted and useful (Ps. xxiii :5). Christian reproof is like "oi/;" it tends to heal spiritual diseases, restore the character, and ren der men who regard it honored and agreeable (Ps. cxli :5). (7) Unity among brethren, is like "ointment; ' it procures delight, honor, cheerful ness, and activity to all concerned (Ps. cxxxiii: 2). (8) God made the river of Egypt run "like oil;" that is, very slowly, as in mourning; and when it was so dried up, that it did not make the country fruitful (Ezek. xxxii :14).