OLIVE (Ol'Iv).
1. From ancient times this has been one of the most common fruit trees of Palestine (Deut. vi:it). As the olive stands in the orchard it resembles the apple tree in shape, size, and mode of cultivation. Its leaves are narrow, dull above and silvery beneath, so that the resulting gray green of these trees becomes beautiful by asso ciation (Hos. xiv :6). The white flowers, pro duced in the greatest profusion, are like those of thc lilac, to which the tree is botanically allied ; and, though millions are prematurely scattered by the breezes (Job xv :33), enough remain to load down the trees with fruit. This latter is like a plum in shape and color, being first green, then pale, and, when ripe, nearly black. Olives are sometimes plucked in an unripe state and put into some pickle or other preserving liquid and exported. For the most part, however, they are valuable for the oil they produce, which is expressed from the fruit in various ways, and constitutes an important article of commerce and luxury (Job xxiv:i t ; Ezek. xxvii :17). The fruit is gathered by beating (Deut. xxiv :2o), or shak ing the tree (Is. xvii :6) ; and by Jewish law gleanings were to be left for the poor.
2. The aged olive tree is often surrounded by young and thrifty shoots (Ps. cxxviii :3). Women sometimes adorned themselves with garlands of olives on festal occasions (Judith xv :13), and at the Olympic games in Greece the victor's crown was composed of olive leaves. The olive is still cultivated through nearly every part of Palestine. (See ZAIT SAIT.) FiguratiVe. (I) As olives were emblems of peace, the olive-leaf brought to Noah by his dove might mark God's being reconciled to men, and the intimation thereof by the Holy Ghost (Gen. viii:11). (2) To pre-figure Jesus as the
peaceful means of our access to God, and sup porter of the church, the door and posts of the entrance .to the holy of holies, and the posts of the door of the temple were of "olive-wood:" and to mark the peaceful illuminating ministra tion of angels and ministers to the church, Solo mon made his two large cherubim, for covering the ark, of "olive-trees" (1 Kings vi :23, 31, 33). (3) The "two anointed olive-trees" before the Lord, may denote Jesus in his two natures, or in his offices of prophet and priest ; or him and his Spirit (Zech. iv :3, it, 12). (4) Believers and ministers are like "olive-trees" for the en lightening, beautifying, softening, and healing of others (Judg. ix :8, 9; Ps. lii :8 ; Rev. xi:4). (5) The Jews are likened to green, flourishing, and cultivated "olives" (Jer. xi :16 ; Hos. xiv :6). (6) The Gentiles were "tvi/d 0/I'm's," grafted upon the root of a cultivated olive-tree, while the natural branches were broken off (Rom. xi:17, 24). The apostle does not teach that a wild twig grafted upon a good stock will produce good fruit, for this is not the fact. St. Paul refers rather to the adoption of the Gentiles among God's peo ple as a process "contrary to nature," but ac complished by grace. (7) Wicked men are like "olives," which cast their leaves before their sea son, and so bear no fruit ; their apparent piety and their prosperity come quickly to an end (Job xv :33). (8) C.hildren are like "olive-plants." about their parents' table ; how quick their growth ! how delightful and fresh their beauty ! and what an extensive prospect of their usefulness (Ps. cxxviii :3). Brown.