Bible Dictionary
Olive-tree
The olive-tree was a characteristic and highly useful tree of Palestine. Scripture uses it as a picture of prosperity, beauty, strength, and covenant privilege, and Paul uses the olive tree in an illustration concerning Jews and Gentiles.
Biblical Usage
The olive branch brought by Noah’s dove, Jotham’s parable, and references to prosperity and beauty show the tree’s biblical associations. Paul uses the good and wild olive trees to illustrate the relationship of Jews and Gentiles, with Gentiles described as grafted in.
Scripture References