Bible Trivia - 10/16/2008

Question: To what kind of tree does Paul compare Israel in Romans 11?

Answer: An olive tree. (Romans 11)

Comments: Though olive trees are not prevalent in North America, they are common in their native Mediterranean region and are referenced throughout the Scriptures. Olive trees are famous for their longevity. Pliny the Elder (23-79) told of a sacred Greek olive tree that was 1600 years old.

In Romans 11, Paul uses the olive tree as a metaphor for Israel. He reminds his readers that Israel functions as the tree while his audience was grafted in.

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree,(Romans 11:17, NASB)

Some claim that the cultivated tree is the church. This is alternately known as supersessionism or "replacement theology". From the context, it is clear that this was not Paul's intent.