This resilient tree has stood the test of time and observed the highs and lows of civilization. There are olive trees in Israel that have been dated as being 2000 - 3,000 years old and could therefore have witnessed biblical events.

Olive Trees, their fruit and the oil made from them, are all common themes in both the old and new testaments. They are used in biblical verses and psalms in a literal as well as a metaphorical sense.

Not only does the olive tree have incredible endurance, with many ancient trees still thriving today, but a range of ancient artifacts have been discovered which, along with biblical and historical texts, preserve the importance placed upon them throughout history.

They make them an ideal subject for a documentary, travelogue or, at the very least, as a visual feature in biblical and historical dramas filmed in Israel.

A Hardy Character and an Interesting Look

Olive trees have an intricate and aged appearance which seems to signify timelessness and wisdom. They have a distinctive look, with knarled, twisted trunks and flaky bark. Older trees have broad trunks which are full of grooves and knobbles, as if displaying the marks of time.
These short trees have small, silvery green leaves that are white on their underside. In late spring they produce small white clusters of blossom which shower to the ground in the breeze.
Olive trees cope well in hot and dry or cold and wet weather. The hardy evergreens thrive and produce fruit even in rocky or sandy terrains. But their resilience does not stop there; even when burned or cut down, they have the power of renewal, with new shoots emerging from the roots. These trees certainly have endurance.

Filming Olive Trees in Israel

Olive trees have a unique look and filming ancient olive groves and trees can really capture the past. At Biblical Productions we can recommend areas with olive groves and ancient trees that are particularly worth filming for your production in Israel. Olive trees cover the terraced mountainsides of the Galilee and are also prominent in Judea and Samaria.

Israel has plenty of ‘old-timers’ which date back over 2,000 years. These beautiful, majestic olive trees can be found next to Moshav Hadid, near Lod; in the courtyard of Beit Jamal near Beit Shemesh, the Arbel Valley and in Jerusalem's Ein Karem, Beit Jala and Jenin.

There are eight ancient olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane, in Jerusalem. ‘Gethsemane’ literally means olive press and many believe the trees here witnessed Jesus’ prayers the night before his crucifixion. The site of Gethsemane is mentioned in Mark 14:32.

photo courtesy of photostock-israel.com

The oldest known olive trees in Israel are located in two Arab towns in the Galilee. There are two giant olive trees in the town of Arraba and five trees in Deir Hanna. These have all been scientifically dated as being more than 3,000 years old. Incredibly all seven trees still produce olives!

Biblical Connections

Olive trees and olives are cited more than thirty times in the old and new testaments. They are a recurring theme and have several well known biblical associations:
They are renowned from the story of Noah.

- “And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.” (Genesis 8:11)

They are one of the original seven biblical fruits.

- “A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey.” (Deuteronomy 8:8)

The festival of Chanukah celebrates the miracle at the time of the Macabbees when of one bottle of olive oil lasted eight days instead of one to keep the everlasting flame alight whilst additional oil was freshly made.

The holiday of T'Bsvat, which celebrates the trees and fruits of Israel, places the olive tree above all the others.

The quantities of olive oil mentioned in the bible (for example in 2 Chronicles 2:10) indicate that olive trees were grown and harvested in vast quantities during Second Temple times.

Biblical Symbolism

The olive tree symbolizes faithfulness and steadfastness.

- “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercies of God forever and ever.” (Psalms 52:8)

They represent fruitfulness, faithfulness and continuity.

- “Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house; Your children like olive plants all around your table.” (Psalms 128:3)

They are an emblem of peace, originating from Noah’s signal of the subsiding waters at the end of the flood.

Biblical Anointing

Olive oil is probably most associated with anointing. It is first mentioned as a practice after Jacob has the vision of a ladder from earth to heaven and poured oil upon the rock that had been his pillow (Genesis 28:18). He repeated this same act when G-d again spoke to him later.

In Moses’ time we read how G-d commanded him to prepare holy anointing oil for the furniture and utensils of the Tabernacle, rendering them holy (Exodus 30:29).

Aaron and his sons were also anointed with oil so, ‘that they may serve me as priests’ (Exodus 30”30).

The smearing of olive oil therefore symbolized holiness in biblical times.

The Mount of Olives

Many place names in Israel commemorate the ancient associations with olive trees but undoubtedly the most famous is the Mount of Olives.

Jesus frequently retreated to the shady trees on the Mount of Olives and after The Last Supper, `He came out, and went, as was His custom, to the Mount of Olives' (Luke 22:39). The Mount of Olives is also widely believed to have been the place of the ascension of Jesus.

In the Old Testament, the coming of the Messiah is prophesized to take place on the Mount of Olives, “On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives which lies before Jerusalem on the east: and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley; so that one half of the Mount shall withdraw northward, and the other half southward'' (Zechariah 14:3-4).

Usage of Olive and Olive Trees

Oil: Olive oil was used extensively in biblical times. As a major part of the daily diet of rich and poor alike, it was mixed with meal to make cakes, used to fry meat in as well as eaten with bread and stews. It was also used for medicinal purposes.
The oil was commonly used in lamps for interior illumination and external torches. There have been many small pottery lamps unearthed during archaeological digs. Early bowls were fashioned in an open style with a rim whilst those dating from later periods had a central hole into which olive oil was poured, and a short spout with another hole for the wick.

Olives: The olives themselves were a common food all year round, widely eaten with bread. Out of season they were preserved in brine or salt.

Wood: The wood of the olive tree was used for small areas such as paneling and was also a material used for carved statues.

Archaeological Findings Relating to Olives

Ancient olive grinders and presses have been discovered at Capernaum and Katzrin in the Golan Heights.

photo courtesy of http://www.holylandphotos.org

The wheel-shaped stone would be turned and rotated over the olives in the lower dish by one or two workers or an animal. Once crushed the olives were placed in baskets and squeezed to extract the oil.

Filming Opportunities

There are various olive oil tours in Israel which go through the process of olive oil production and are an excellent educational and visual interpretation of the manufacturing process. These would make great documentary footage.

Each October the Golan and Galilee host an Olive Festival which runs for three consecutive weeks. There are lots of activities, with local olive producers offering tastings of freshly pressed oils within a broad selection of meals prepared by Arabs, Christians and Jews across the region. There are workshops, tours and a range of activities relating to olives, in the fields of health, cosmetics and culinary products.

From a historic perspective, oil making paraphernalia is scattered throughout the country. A huge upright millstone is still used to grind olives at Bethany, next to the traditional site of Mary and Martha's house. Similar oil grinders, with stone and press, are exhibited at Ha Gilo and Tantur near Bethlehem, the Israel Museum, Tirat-Yehuda and Neot Kedumim. These can all be used as authentic visuals within documentaries, travelogues and dramas.

The cultivation, harvesting and production of olive oil is an ancient industry and with so many interesting angles to choose from; historical, biblical, social, agricultural, industrial and more, olive trees and olives would make a great addition to your production in Israel.