The Olive Tree

Illustration of The Olive Tree

The olive tree, source of oil for lamps, anointing, and food, is a biblical emblem of peace, prosperity, and God's covenant people. A dove brought Noah an olive leaf as the sign of peace after the flood. Paul used the cultivated olive tree, into which wild branches are grafted, to picture Gentiles being brought into the covenant promises given to Israel. The righteous are 'like a green olive tree in the house of God.'

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Strongest connections in Scripture
Romans 11

Key Passages

Grafted into the Olive Tree

Romans 11:17-24

Paul pictures Gentiles as wild branches grafted into the cultivated olive tree of God's covenant people.

A17nd if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

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Characters

Paul Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was a zealous Pharisee who actively persecuted early Christiansโ€ฆ Noah Noah was a righteous man living in an era of widespread human wickedness and corruption, prompting God toโ€ฆ

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Mount of Olives The Mount of Olives is a ridge located east of Jerusalem's Old City, separated by the Kidron Valley, and itโ€ฆ

Did You Know?

1

Olive oil fueled the temple lamps and anointed kings and priests.

2

The dove brought Noah an olive leaf as the sign of peace.

3

Paul pictures Gentiles as wild branches grafted into Israel's olive tree.

4

The Mount of Olives, where Jesus often prayed, is named for its groves.