Could olive oil and butter be the secret to prospering and being in good health? What if the secret to vibrant health isn’t hidden in an expensive new trend, or shopping at Whole Foods Market, but in the ancient wisdom of the Bible?
It’s time to rediscover two of the most foundational foods mentioned in Scripture. You’ll be amazed to discover how these ancient staples, olive oil and butter, were always intended to be part of a life-giving diet.
Olive Oil Mentioned 160 Times In The Bible?
Based on biblical scholarship, the word for “oil” (which in the context of the Bible almost invariably means olive oil) is mentioned over 160 times in Scripture.1
It’s helpful to understand a few distinctions:
- “Oil” (Hebrew: shemen): This is the word used most frequently (160+ times). In the ancient Near East, “oil” was synonymous with “olive oil,” as it was the primary, foundational oil used for everything from cooking and lighting to medicine and sacred anointing.
- “Olive Tree” & “Olives”: The tree itself and its fruit are mentioned separately numerous times (e.g., the dove returning to Noah’s ark, the Mount of Olives).2
- The Specific Phrase “Olive Oil”: The explicit, two-word phrase “olive oil” appears less frequently, as the single word “oil” was sufficient for the original audience to understand what was meant.
Therefore, when you see “oil” mentioned in Scripture—especially for anointing, in offerings, or for fuel in the lamps of the Tabernacle—it is referring to olive oil.3
🕊️ The Sacred Elixir: Discover the Power of Olive Oil
Olive oil is far more than just a simple cooking ingredient in the Bible. It is a profound symbol of the Holy Spirit, of consecration, and of divine provision. It was used to light the sacred menorah in the Tabernacle, to anoint kings and priests, and as a healing balm.
But its power is also physical. When God promised to bring His people into a good land, He explicitly named olive oil as one of its core blessings:
“For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land… a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey…” (Deuteronomy 8:7-8, NIV)
Why It’s a Modern Superfood:
- Heart-Healthy Power: True, high-quality extra-virgin olive oil is packed with monounsaturated fats (oleic acid) and powerful antioxidants called polyphenols.
- Anti-Inflammatory: These compounds are proven to fight inflammation, which is a root cause of many modern diseases.
- Brain Fuel: Healthy fats are essential for cognitive function and protecting against age-related decline.
The Takeaway: Stop fearing this healthy fat. Drizzle it generously over salads, use it to finish roasted vegetables, and choose it as your primary, life-giving oil.
🧈 The Hidden Treasure: The Surprising Truth About Biblical Butter
This is the one that shocks most people. For decades, butter was demonized, blamed for everything from high cholesterol to heart disease. But what does the Bible say?
The Hebrew word often translated as “curds” or “butter” (chem’ah) was a sign of immense wealth, blessing, and abundance. It was the richest part of the milk—a prized food. Abraham served it to his angelic visitors, and it was part of the “finest” foods God provided for His people:
“He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them.” (Genesis 18:8, NIV)
“…with curds and milk from herd and flock…” (Deuteronomy 32:14, NIV)
This wasn’t the processed, pale margarine or low-quality butter we see today. This was rich, golden, nutrient-dense fat from healthy, pasture-grazing animals.
Why It’s a Modern Superfood:
- Vital Nutrients: Quality butter (especially from grass-fed cows) is an incredible source of fat-soluble vitamins, including Vitamin A, E, and K2—a nutrient that is critical for moving calcium to your bones and teeth and away from your arteries.
- Healthy Fats: It contains healthy saturated fats that are essential for hormone production and cell integrity. It’s also a source of butyrate (which heals the gut) and CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid), which has anti-cancer properties.
- Not the Enemy: The problem was never butter; it was the processed, artificial trans-fats (like margarine) and the high-sugar, high-carb diets that we were told to eat instead.
Transform Your Pantry: Embracing God’s Original Design
This isn’t just about diet; it’s about returning to an intentional way of eating that honors the provisions God called “good.” The biblical model was never about processed, factory-made, “fat-free” chemicals. It was about whole, nourishing, and satisfying foods.
By embracing these two ancient superfoods—pure olive oil and real, grass-fed butter—you aren’t just adding flavor to your meals. You are tapping into a timeless wisdom that promotes life, health, and abundance, just as it was designed to do.
What will you change in your kitchen today?
Would you like me to find some modern health studies that back up the benefits of olive oil and butter?
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