כָּתִית
beaten, i.e. pure (oil)
Definition
The Hebrew noun כָּתִית (kâthîyth) specifically describes 'beaten' or 'pounded' olive oil, referring to oil extracted by crushing olives in a mortar rather than by a press. This method produced the highest quality, purest oil, free from sediment and impurities. In the Bible, it is exclusively used for sacred purposes, such as fueling the lampstand in the Tabernacle (Exodus 27:20) and as an ingredient in grain offerings (Leviticus 24:2). The term emphasizes both the meticulous preparation process and the resulting purity required for worship.
Biblical Usage
כָּתִית is used only five times in the Old Testament, all within legal and ritual contexts in the Torah and one historical reference. It consistently describes the specific 'beaten oil' mandated for the Tabernacle's eternal flame (Exodus 27:20, Leviticus 24:2) and for prescribed offerings (Exodus 29:40, Numbers 28:5). Its sole use outside the Torah, in 1 Kings 5:11, shows King Hiram of Tyre sending it to Solomon, highlighting its value and association with sacred projects like the Temple construction.
Etymology
Derived from the root verb כָּתַת (kâthath, H3807), meaning 'to beat, crush, or pound into pieces.' The noun form כָּתִית is a passive participle, literally meaning 'that which is beaten.' This directly describes the production method for this premium oil, distinguishing it from oil produced by other means like pressing.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it underscores the principle that what is offered to God must be of the highest quality and prepared with intentional care. The use of 'beaten oil' for the Tabernacle's lamp, which was to burn continually before the Lord (Exodus 27:20-21), symbolizes the purity, dedication, and perpetual worship God requires from His people. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the tangible standards of holiness in Israel's worship.
In ancient Israelite culture, olive oil was a staple, but 'beaten oil' represented the finest grade. The labor-intensive process of hand-beating olives in a mortar yielded a smaller quantity of clear, first-run oil, unlike the greater volumes from pressing, which included more pulp and impurities. This made it a costly and premium product, reserved for the most important uses, reflecting a cultural understanding of offering the best to both God and honored guests (as seen with Solomon).
shemen (H8081) — The general Hebrew word for 'oil' or 'ointment,' which can refer to any grade of olive oil or other oils, unlike the specific, ritual-grade כָּתִית.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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