Oil..............

[Bob Wright]

The subject of oil recently was a topic here, and gave me a chance to interject some trivia.

In Biblical times, the primary source of oil was the olive tree. Olive orchards were the oil fields of the day. Oil was for lighting and cooking, and the owner of an olive orchard and press was the oil baron of the day. The Latin word for the oil was olea which gave the tree the name of the olea tree.

When oil was discovered seeping out of rock formations, the Romans thought it was being exuded from the rocks. Now the word for rock was Petra. In Scripture, the apostle Simon was compared to a rock for his size and firm convictions, so he was dubbed Peter by the Lord, meaning rock.

So the stuff being discharged from the ground was petra olea, or "rock oil." Which in our times has become petroleum.

Something to think about in these time, to sort of exercise your mind.


Bob Wright

 

[eveled]

I never realized that. Thanks for the lesson.

 

[reuben_j_cogburn]

Petra does mean rock..or stone.... But Peters name translates from Petros... grain of sand.... as his convictions would change with the tide...
Jesus said (paraphrasing)... You are petros (a grain of sand).... on this petra (rock),I will build my church. He was refering to himself, as Jesus Christ is the Rock of ages....
Why would God send his son to save the world, then make Peter th head of the church?... Doesn't make any sense to me!!
I better go pack to go home before the fireworks erupt!!!!..... :shock:
:wink:

 

[Coop]

And. ?

 

[Bob Wright]

And. ?

And nothing! I was just showing off.

Bob Wright

 

[eveled]

I googled the Petra Petro thing, and it certainly appears to be as Reuben says. Very interesting thread.

I try not to get to analytical of Biblical stuff, and strive to have a “child like faith”.

 

[toysoldier]

From my New International Version Study Bible: In the Greek "Peter" is petros ("detached stone") and "rock" is petra ("bedrock"). Several interpretations have been given to these words. The "bedrock" on which the church is built is (1) Christ; (2) Peter's confession of faith in Jesus as the Messiah; (3) Christ's teachings; (4)Peter himself.

I like this Bible; most pages are half scripture, half explanatory notes, with alternative phrasing and interpretation. It corrects some egregious errors in the King James Bible, like "Thou shalt not kill" is properly translated "Do not commit murder."

 

[Redington Slim]

reuben_j_cogburn, I get what you are worried about, and I agree. Either nobody else "got it", or they are being total gentlemen, and let that one pass! LOL!