### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word כָּתִית (kâthîyth, `{{H3795}}`) is derived from the verbal root כָּתַת (kâthath, `{{H3807}}`), meaning "to beat," "to crush," or "to pound." As a noun, כָּתִית refers specifically to something that has undergone this process, particularly in the context of olive oil. It denotes oil that has been extracted by beating or pressing the olives, rather than grinding them in a mill. This method was understood to produce the purest and finest quality of oil, often referred to as "virgin oil" or "first-pressed oil," as it avoided the inclusion of impurities from the pit or skin that might result from more aggressive crushing methods. The semantic range of כָּתִית is thus narrow, almost exclusively tied to this specific, high-grade preparation of olive oil, emphasizing its purity and suitability for sacred purposes.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term כָּתִית (kâthîyth, `{{H3795}}`) appears four times in the Hebrew Bible, exclusively within the Pentateuch, and always in the context of instructions for Tabernacle worship.
1. **[[Exodus 27:20]]**: "You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure olive oil, beaten for the light, to make a lamp burn continually." Here, כָּתִית oil is specified for the menorah, the lampstand in the Tabernacle. The requirement for "beaten" oil underscores the need for the purest possible fuel to ensure a clean, steady flame, symbolizing God's unblemished presence and revelation.
2. **[[Exodus 29:40]]**: "...and with the first lamb a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a fourth of a hin of beaten olive oil, and a fourth of a hin of wine for a drink offering." In this passage, כָּתִית oil is prescribed as part of the daily burnt offering, accompanying the grain offering. This again highlights the divine expectation of the highest quality ingredients for offerings presented to God.
3. **[[Leviticus 24:2]]**: "Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil from beaten olives for the lamp, that a light may be kept burning regularly." This verse reiterates the command given in Exodus 27:20, emphasizing the critical importance of כָּתִית oil for the perpetual lamp. The repetition underscores the non-negotiable standard of purity for sacred use.
4. **[[Numbers 28:5]]**: "...and a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mixed with a fourth of a hin of beaten olive oil." Similar to Exodus 29:40, this verse confirms the use of כָּתִית oil in the daily burnt offerings, demonstrating consistency in the divine requirements for ritual purity across different priestly instructions.
In all occurrences, כָּתִית is directly associated with "pure olive oil" (שֶׁמֶן זַיִת זָךְ), establishing it as the standard for sacred use, whether for illumination in the holy place or as an integral component of the sacrificial system.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root verb כָּתַת (kâthath, `{{H3807}}`), from which כָּתִית (kâthîyth, `{{H3795}}`) is derived. While כָּתַת can denote destructive crushing (e.g., breaking idols or enemies), its application in כָּתִית carries the nuance of a refining, non-destructive process aimed at extracting purity.
Other related concepts include:
* **Olive Oil (שֶׁמֶן זַיִת)**: A foundational commodity in the ancient Near East, used for food, light, anointing, and medicine. The specification of כָּתִית indicates a particular grade of this essential item.
* **Purity (טָהוֹר, tahor, `{{H2889}}`)**: Central to the Israelite cultic system, כָּתִית oil is explicitly linked to "pure" oil, demonstrating that the "beating" process is the means to achieve ritual purity acceptable to God.
* **Holiness (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh, `{{H6944}}`)**: The oil's use in the Tabernacle underscores its connection to sacred space and actions, demanding a quality commensurate with God's holiness.
* **Light (אוֹר, 'or, `{{H216}}`)**: The perpetual lamp, fueled by כָּתִית oil, symbolizes God's continuous presence and the illumination of His truth among His people.
* **Offerings/Sacrifice (קָרְבָּן, qorban, `{{H7133}}`)**: The inclusion of כָּתִית oil in the daily burnt offering emphasizes the principle of offering the very best to God as a demonstration of devotion and obedience.
### Theological Significance
The consistent demand for כָּתִית oil in the Tabernacle rituals carries profound theological implications:
1. **God's Demand for Purity and Excellence in Worship**: The requirement for "beaten" oil signifies that God is worthy of nothing less than the purest and highest quality in worship. This reflects His own perfect holiness and sets a standard for human interaction with the divine. It is not merely about fulfilling a ritual, but about the quality of the offering and, by extension, the heart of the offeror.
2. **The Process of Refinement**: The method of extracting כָּתִית oil—through beating rather than grinding—can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual refinement. Just as the olives must undergo a process to yield their purest essence, so too believers may experience trials or "beatings" in life that, while difficult, serve to purify, remove dross, and produce a more refined character suitable for God's service. This process, though painful, yields spiritual fruit that is "pure" and pleasing to God.
3. **Symbol of Sustained Divine Presence and Illumination**: The perpetual lamp, fueled by כָּתִית oil, symbolizes God's unwavering presence among His people. The oil sustains the light, just as God sustains His covenant people and provides continuous spiritual illumination through His Word and Spirit. The purity of the oil ensures a clear, unadulterated light, mirroring the clarity and truth of God's revelation.
4. **Costliness and Dedication**: Producing כָּתִית oil was a laborious process, yielding less quantity than other methods. Its specification for sacred use underscores the value placed on worship and the dedication required from the people to provide such a costly and pure offering. It speaks to the principle that true devotion often involves sacrifice and giving of one's best.
### Summary
כָּתִית (kâthîyth, `{{H3795}}`) refers to olive oil that has been "beaten" or gently pressed to achieve the highest possible purity. Its four biblical occurrences are exclusively within the Pentateuch, where it is consistently specified for use in the Tabernacle: fueling the perpetual lamp and as a component of the daily burnt offerings. This term powerfully underscores God's unwavering demand for purity, excellence, and unblemished quality in all aspects of worship. The process of "beating" to achieve such purity serves as a rich theological metaphor for spiritual refinement and the costly dedication required to offer one's best to a holy God. It symbolizes the sustained divine presence, the clarity of God's truth, and the nature of true devotion.
TRV