Plants and Foods of the Bible · The Vineyard and the Olive Tree · Tree
The Olive Tree
The patient tree of the stony hills, which brought the news of peace after the flood
- Key verse
- Genesis 8:11
- Where we find it
- The stony hills of the land of Israel and the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem
- What it reminds us of
- Peace, steadfastness and trust in God
Stories from Scripture
The Olive Tree in the stories of the Bible
Noah
The olive leaf the dove brought
After the flood, Noah sent a dove out of the ark, but the dove found no rest and came back. After seven more days he sent it out again. In the evening the dove came back with a freshly plucked olive leaf in its beak, and Noah knew that the waters had gone down.
Genesis 8:8-11Jesus Christ
Jesus prays on the Mount of Olives
Before the crucifixion, Jesus went, as He usually did, to the Mount of Olives with His disciples. He went a little way from them, knelt down and prayed to the Father: “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
Luke 22:39-42King David
Like a green olive tree in the house of God
David went through hard times, but he wrote that he is like a green olive tree in the house of God, because he trusts in the mercy of God “for ever and ever.”
Psalm 52:8
From the world of the Bible
Did you know?
An olive tree can live for hundreds of years and keep bearing fruit even when it is very old.
The leaves of the olive tree are green on top and silvery underneath, and the tree stays green all year, even in winter.
Even if an old olive tree is cut down, new shoots can sprout from its root.
From the Holy Scriptures
What do we read in the Bible about the olive tree?
11 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.
In kids’ words: The fresh olive leaf was the good news that the flood was over and life was beginning again.
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
In kids’ words: An olive tree stays green even in hard years. Whoever trusts in God stays steady, like this tree.
Verses are quoted from the King James Version (KJV). Read each passage in the context of its chapter in the Bible.
What the olive tree teaches us
Peace and steadfastness
The olive tree grows slowly, has deep roots and stays green year after year, even on stony hills. That is how God wants our faith to be: rooted in Him, so that we stay calm even on stormy days.
How we can live this out today
When you are worried, remember Noah’s olive leaf: after the storm, God brings peace. Tell Him what troubles you.
Mini-Quiz
What did you learn about the olive tree?
What did Noah’s dove bring back?
For parents and children
At home and in Sunday school
A question for parents and children
What “storms” has our family been through, and how did God bring us peace after them?
“Lord, thank You for bringing peace after the storm. Make me steady like a green olive tree, trusting in Your goodness every day. Amen.”
Activity at home
A leaf of peace
Draw an olive leaf together. Put it on the fridge as a sign that God brings peace after the storm.