שמן. The invention and use of oil is of the highest antiquity. It
is said that Jacob poured oil upon the pillar which he erected at
Bethel, Gen. xxviii, 18. The earliest kind was that which is extracted
from olives. Before the invention of mills, this was obtained by
pounding them in a mortar, Exod. xxvii, 20; and sometimes by treading
them with the feet in the same manner as were grapes, Deut. xxxiii, 24;
Micah vi, 15. The Hebrews used common oil with their food, in their
meat-offerings, for burning in their lamps, &c. As vast quantities of
oil were made by the ancient Jews, it became an article of exportation.
The great demand for it in Egypt led the Jews to send it thither. The
Prophet Hosea thus upbraids his degenerate nation with the servility and
folly of their conduct: Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the
east wind; he daily increaseth falsehood and vanity: and a league is
made with Assyria, and oil carried into Egypt,” Hosea xii, 1. The
Israelites, in the decline of their national glory, carried the produce
of their olive plantations into Egypt as a tribute to their ancient
oppressors, or as a present to conciliate their favour, and obtain their
assistance in the sanguinary wars which they were often compelled to
wage with the neighbouring states. There was an unguent, very precious
and sacred, used in anointing the priests, the tabernacle, and
furniture. This was compounded of spicy drugs; namely, myrrh, sweet
cinnamon, sweet calamus, and cassia, mixed with oil olive.
is said that Jacob poured oil upon the pillar which he erected at
Bethel, Gen. xxviii, 18. The earliest kind was that which is extracted
from olives. Before the invention of mills, this was obtained by
pounding them in a mortar, Exod. xxvii, 20; and sometimes by treading
them with the feet in the same manner as were grapes, Deut. xxxiii, 24;
Micah vi, 15. The Hebrews used common oil with their food, in their
meat-offerings, for burning in their lamps, &c. As vast quantities of
oil were made by the ancient Jews, it became an article of exportation.
The great demand for it in Egypt led the Jews to send it thither. The
Prophet Hosea thus upbraids his degenerate nation with the servility and
folly of their conduct: Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the
east wind; he daily increaseth falsehood and vanity: and a league is
made with Assyria, and oil carried into Egypt,” Hosea xii, 1. The
Israelites, in the decline of their national glory, carried the produce
of their olive plantations into Egypt as a tribute to their ancient
oppressors, or as a present to conciliate their favour, and obtain their
assistance in the sanguinary wars which they were often compelled to
wage with the neighbouring states. There was an unguent, very precious
and sacred, used in anointing the priests, the tabernacle, and
furniture. This was compounded of spicy drugs; namely, myrrh, sweet
cinnamon, sweet calamus, and cassia, mixed with oil olive.