Lexical Summary
shemen: Oil
Original Word:שֶׁמֶן
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:shemen
Pronunciation:SHEH-men
Phonetic Spelling:(sheh'-men)
KJV: anointing, X fat (things), X fruitful, oil((-ed)), ointment, olive, + pine
NASB:oil, olive, oils, fatness, fertile, choice, lavish
Word Origin:[fromH8080 (שָׁמַן - grew fat)]
1. grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed)
2. (figuratively) richness
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
anointing, fat things, fruitful, oiled, ointment, olive, pine
Fromshaman; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness -- anointing, X fat (things), X fruitful, oil((-ed)), ointment, olive, + pine.
see HEBREWshaman
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
shamenDefinitionfat, oil
NASB Translationchoice (1), fatness (2), fertile (2), fertile* (1), lavish (1), oil (176), oils (3), ointment (1), olive (6), wild* (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
1922 Kings 20:13 (on apparently
Songs 1:3 compare Albr
ZAW xvi (1896), 99, 106) ; — absolute
Genesis 28:28 +, construct
Leviticus 8:2 +;
2 Kings 4:6 +; suffix
Hosea 2:7 +, etc.; plural
Amos 6:6 +; suffix
Songs 1:3, -
Songs 4:10; —
fat, fatness:Isaiah 5:1 (of fertile slope); pluralIsaiah 28:1,4; of food (in figurative)Isaiah 25:6 (twice in verse); literalPsalm 109:24 (compare va), compareIsaiah 10:27 (in figurative, si vera lectio, meaning obscure; most now emend by conjecture; RSJPH xili (1885), 62 [see also II. ], joining toIsaiah 10:28; Du Martihas gone up from Pene-Rimmon [??], compare Di-Kit).
oil, specifically olive-oil, as rich productDeuteronomy 8:8 + (see ); henceIsaiah 41:19oil-tree, usually explained as wild olive,oleaster, soNehemiah 8:15 ("" ),oleaster-wood1 Kings 6:23,31,32,33; onceEsther 2:2 (see p. 600:b; also in holy anointing oilExodus 30:23).
as staple (codiment)Numbers 11:8 (J; see ), of value1 Kings 17:12,14,16;2 Kings 2:4,6,7 4t.; symbol of plentyDeuteronomy 32:13;Deuteronomy 33:24;Job 29:6; ascribed (fassely) to gift of BaalsHosea 2:7; as royal treasure2 Kings 20:13 =Isaiah 39:2, compare1 Kings 5:25 ( , see ) = 2 Chron 2:9; 2 Chronicles 2:14 3t.; tributeHosea 12:2, article of tradeEzekiel 27:17; odoriferousProverbs 27:9;Songs 1:3;Songs 4:10,Ecclesiastes 10:1, so (figurative)Songs 1:3;Ecclesiastes 7:1;Proverbs 27:16 is corrupt, see Toy; sign of luxuryEzekiel 16:13;Proverbs 21:17, of prosperityEzekiel 16:20.
as medicamentIsaiah 1:6; as unguent, for shield2 Samuel 1:21, personAmos 6:6;Micah 6:15;Deuteronomy 28:40;Ezekiel 16:9; Esther;Psalm 92:11;Psalm 104:15, not for mourner2 Samuel 14:2; on head token of happinessEcclesiastes 9:8, of hospitality,Psalm 23:5 (figurative), in similePsalm 133:2;Psalm 141:5.
,1 Samuel 10:1;2 Kings 9:1,3, compare2 Kings 9:6, with1 Samuel 16:1,13;1 Kings 1:39; comparePsalm 89:21.
Isaiah 61:3;Psalm 45:8; soft wordsPsalm 55:22;Proverbs 5:3; as penetrating Prov 109:18; as clear, transparentEzekiel 32:14.
Genesis 28:18 (E),Genesis 35:14 (J).
, tabernacle, altar utensils, etc. (P), made of various ingred., among them,Exodus 30:24,Exodus 25:6;Leviticus 8:2,10,12 11t.;Exodus 30:25 (twice in verse) + 2t.;Leviticus 10:7,Leviticus 21:12;Numbers 35:25; aloneLeviticus 14:10 12t.Leviticus 14; for lightingExodus 25:6 6t. +Exodus 27:20;Leviticus 24:2 (see ); poured uponLeviticus 2:1 5t., compareLeviticus 5:11;Numbers 5:15; smeared (see ) upon wafersExodus 29:2;Leviticus 2:4 +, and cakes (or mixed in the making? compare )Exodus 29:2;Leviticus 2:4,5 +, soLeviticus 2:7 etc. (c. 45 t. in all),Exodus 29:23;Leviticus 8:26.
1 Chronicles 9:29.
for in Ezekiel's templeEzekiel 45:14 (twice in verse) + 7 t. 45, 46.
Micah 6:7
Isaiah 57:9;Ezekiel 16:18,19;Ezekiel 23:41. — See MacalisterHast. DB OIL ARSKEncy. Bib. OIL.
Topical Lexicon
Primary Meaning and Natural SourcesShemen designates the liquid fat of the olive that was pressed from berries grown chiefly in the Judean highlands and along the coastal plain. Groves were so abundant that Israel could be described as “a land of olive oil” (Deuteronomy 8:8). Oil was also derived from nuts (Genesis 8:11 in LXX tradition) and occasionally from nuts or seeds such as flax (Isaiah 25:6), yet olive oil remained the standard by which prosperity, prudence, and covenant blessing were measured (Deuteronomy 7:13;Proverbs 21:20).
Culinary and Domestic Uses
Oil enriched daily bread (Exodus 29:2) and lent savor to manna, “its taste was like cakes baked with oil” (Numbers 11:8). Israel’s famine narratives underline its indispensability: the widow at Zarephath had only “a handful of flour in a bowl and a little oil in a jar” (1 Kings 17:12), and yet the LORD multiplied it. Household stores of oil marked prudent stewardship (2 Kings 4:2–7) and were counted among Hezekiah’s royal treasures (2 Kings 20:13).
Cultic and Sacrificial Uses
No grain offering was acceptable without oil (Leviticus 2:1–7). Thanksgiving and peace offerings demanded loaves “mixed with oil” (Leviticus 7:12). Daily burnt offerings were accompanied by “one-quarter hin of pressed oil” (Exodus 29:40). The prophets expected full obedience here; Joel promises, “The vats will overflow with wine and oil” (Joel 2:24), while Micah rebukes empty ritual that would offer “a thousand streams of oil” (Micah 6:7) without justice.
Consecration and Anointing
Oil set apart people, places, and objects for holy service. Jacob poured it on Bethel’s pillar (Genesis 28:18). Priestly garments and the altar were sprinkled (Exodus 40:9). Aaron’s ordination was marked when “Moses poured the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him” (Leviticus 8:12). Kings were installed in like manner: Saul (1 Samuel 10:1), David (1 Samuel 16:13), Solomon (1 Kings 1:39), and later Jehu (2 Kings 9:6). Such acts typified the coming Messiah, literally the “Anointed One,” foreshadowed inPsalm 45:7, “God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of joy above Your companions.”
Lighting of the Sanctuary
Pure pressed oil fueled the seven-branched lampstand. “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually” (Exodus 27:20). Without that oil the holy place would lie dark, so daily supply symbolized uninterrupted fellowship.
Symbol of Abundance, Blessing, and Joy
Oil pictured divine favor: “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5). Agricultural blessing is often summarized as “grain, new wine, and oil” (Deuteronomy 11:14;Jeremiah 31:12). Its fragrance gladdened festivals (Psalm 45:8) and soothed the afflicted (Isaiah 1:6). The antithesis appears in judgment texts where Israel is deprived of oil (Deuteronomy 28:40;Hosea 2:8–9).
Prophetic and Eschatological Imagery
Zechariah saw two olive trees pouring oil into a golden lampstand, portraying unending Spirit-empowered witness: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6). Isaiah promised “the oil of joy instead of mourning” in messianic renewal (Isaiah 61:3), language Jesus claimed in Nazareth (Luke 4:18–21).
Commercial and Political Significance
Oil was a strategic export: “Judah and Israel traded wheat… honey, oil, and balm” with Tyre (Ezekiel 27:17). Solomon paid Hiram of Tyre with “twenty thousand baths of pressed oil” (2 Chronicles 2:10). Storehouses of oil fortified Rehoboam’s border cities (2 Chronicles 11:11), demonstrating both economic leverage and military preparedness.
Metaphor for the Holy Spirit and Messianic Expectation
Because consecration oil marked men for service, Scripture naturally employs shemen as a metaphor for the Spirit’s empowering presence. David prays, “Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:11) after recalling Samuel’s anointing. The anticipated “Anointed One” ofDaniel 9:25 carries the same idea. InPsalm 133:2 unity is “like precious oil on the head, running down on the beard… on Aaron’s beard,” connecting the priestly anointing with communal blessing.
Wisdom and Moral Lessons
Proverbs pairs oil with wise stewardship: “Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them” (Proverbs 21:20). Ecclesiastes counsels gladness: “Let your clothes always be white, and never spare the oil on your head” (Ecclesiastes 9:8).
Practical Ministry Applications Today
Pastoral care still employs oil for prayer (James 5:14 recalls Old Testament precedent). Teaching on the Spirit often draws from tabernacle imagery—constant lamplight fueled by pure oil encourages unceasing dependence on the Spirit. Generosity to the poor is modeled after Elisha’s multiplication of oil, reminding believers that God supplies ministry resources. Finally, the anointing of kings and priests anticipates every Christian’s calling as “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), set apart by the greater anointing of the risen Lord who pours out the Spirit “like precious oil” on all who trust Him.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּשֶׁ֖מֶן בְּשֶׁ֣מֶן בְּשֶׁ֤מֶן בְּשֶׁ֥מֶן בַּשֶּׁ֔מֶן בַּשֶּׁ֖מֶן בַּשֶּׁ֙מֶן֙ בַּשֶּׁ֛מֶן בַּשָּֽׁמֶן׃ בַּשָּׁ֑מֶן בַשֶּׁ֔מֶן בַשֶּׁ֖מֶן בַשֶּׁ֛מֶן בַשֶּׁ֥מֶן בַשָּׁ֑מֶן בשמן בשמן׃ הַשֶּׁ֔מֶן הַשֶּׁ֕מֶן הַשֶּׁ֖מֶן הַשֶּׁ֗מֶן הַשֶּׁ֙מֶן֙ הַשֶּׁ֛מֶן הַשֶּׁ֜מֶן הַשֶּׁ֣מֶן הַשֶּׁ֣מֶן ׀ הַשֶּׁ֤מֶן הַשֶּׁ֧מֶן הַשָּֽׁמֶן׃ הַשָּׁ֑מֶן השמן השמן׃ וְ֝כַשֶּׁ֗מֶן וְהַשֶּׁ֔מֶן וְכַשָּֽׁמֶן׃ וְשֶׁ֕מֶן וְשֶׁ֖מֶן וְשֶׁ֗מֶן וְשֶׁ֙מֶן֙ וְשֶׁ֛מֶן וְשֶׁ֣מֶן וְשֶׁ֥מֶן וְשַׁמְנִ֖י וְשַׁמְנִי֙ וָ֝שֶׁ֗מֶן וָ֭שֶׁמֶן וָשֶׁ֖מֶן וָשֶׁ֗מֶן וָשֶׁ֙מֶן֙ וָשֶׁ֤מֶן וּבָקָ֥ר וּלְשֶׁ֙מֶן֙ וּמִשֶּׁ֣מֶן וּמִשַּׁמְנָ֔הּ ובקר והשמן וכשמן וכשמן׃ ולשמן ומשמן ומשמנה ושמן ושמני כַּשֶּׁ֣מֶן כַּשֶּׁ֤מֶן כשמן לְשֶׁ֣מֶן לשמן מִשֶּׁ֗מֶן מִשֶּׁ֣מֶן מִשָּֽׁמֶן׃ מִשָּׁ֑מֶן מן משמן משמן׃ שְׁמָנִ֑ים שְׁמָנִ֖ים שְׁמָנִים֙ שְׁמָנֶ֣יךָ שְׁמָנַ֖יִךְ שֶׁ֔מֶן שֶׁ֖מֶן שֶׁ֗מֶן שֶׁ֚מֶן שֶׁ֛מֶן שֶׁ֠מֶן שֶׁ֣מֶן שֶׁ֤מֶן שֶׁ֥מֶן שֶׁ֧מֶן שֶׁמֶן֒ שַׁמְנִ֖י שַׁמְנָ֔הּ שָֽׁמֶן׃ שָׁ֑מֶן שמן שמן׃ שמנה שמני שמניך שמנים baš·šā·men ḇaš·šā·men baš·še·men ḇaš·še·men bashShamen bashShemen baššāmen ḇaššāmen baššemen ḇaššemen bə·še·men bəšemen beShemen haš·šā·men haš·še·men hashShamen hashShemen haššāmen haššemen kaš·še·men kashShemen kaššemen lə·še·men ləšemen leShemen men miš·šā·men miš·še·men mishShamen mishShemen miššāmen miššemen šā·men šam·nāh šam·nî šāmen šamnāh šamnî šə·mā·na·yiḵ šə·mā·ne·ḵā šə·mā·nîm še·men šəmānayiḵ šəmāneḵā šəmānîm šemen Shamen shamNah shamNi shemaNayich shemaNeicha shemaNim Shemen ū·ḇā·qār ū·lə·še·men ū·miš·šam·nāh ū·miš·še·men ūḇāqār ūləšemen uleShemen umishshamNah umishShemen ūmiššamnāh ūmiššemen uvaKar vaShemen vashShamen vashShemen vechashShamen vechashShemen vehashShemen veshamNi veShemen wā·še·men wāšemen wə·haš·še·men wə·ḵaš·šā·men wə·ḵaš·še·men wə·šam·nî wə·še·men wəhaššemen wəḵaššāmen wəḵaššemen wəšamnî wəšemen
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