The application of oil was associated with times of rejoicing and celebration. It also possessed a deeper significance, including that of being singled out by God for special favour or responsibilities.
Anointing as a social custom
In personal grooming
Ecclesiastes 9:8 The associations here are of joy and well-being. See also Ruth 3:3; Psalm 92:10; Isaiah 57:9; Amos 6:6; Matthew 6:17
Let your garments always be white, and never spare the oil for your head.
Anointing guests as a mark of honour
Psalm 23:5 See also Luke 7:36–39, Luke 7:44–47; John 12:3
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Anointing corpses as a burial preparation
Mark 16:1 See also Matthew 26:6–12; John 19:38–40
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint the body of Jesus.
Anointing religious objects
Exodus 40:9–11 Anointed objects are set apart (consecrated), to be used only in the performance of religious ceremonies. See also Genesis 28:18; Exodus 30:22–33
Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it along with all its furnishings, and it shall be holy. Anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it shall be most holy. Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them.
Anointing people for office
Priests
Exodus 40:12–15 See also Leviticus 4:16, Leviticus 21:10–12; 1 Chronicles 29:22
Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water. And you are to clothe Aaron with the holy garments, anoint him, and consecrate him, so that he may serve Me as a priest. Bring his sons forward and clothe them with tunics. Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so that they may also serve Me as priests. Their anointing will qualify them for a permanent priesthood throughout their generations.”
Kings
1 Kings 1:39 See also 1 Samuel 10:1, 1 Samuel 16:12–13; 2 Samuel 5:3; 2 Kings 11:12
Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!”
A prophet
1 Kings 19:15–16 the only reference to the anointing of a prophet
Anointing people for other purposes
For purification
For healing
Mark 6:13 It has been suggested that anointing in a healing context may be related to the use of oil for medicinal purposes. See also James 5:14
They also drove out many demons and healed many of the sick, anointing them with oil.
The figurative use of anointing
Anointing by God
1 Samuel 26:9 Israel's king is frequently referred to as “the LORD's anointed”. His physical anointing is seen as symbolising a divine anointing. The word “Messiah” literally means “the anointed one”; Isaiah 45:1 Cyrus, as God's agent for a specific task, is referred to as “his anointed”. See also 2 Samuel 23:1; Psalm 2:2, Psalm 45:2, Psalm 89:20; Ezekiel 28:14
But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”
This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:
God's people in the OT
1 Chronicles 16:22 parallel Psalm 105:15
Christian believers
2 Corinthians 1:21–22 See also 1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:27 This anointing is not received in an outward ceremony but by sharing in the Holy Spirit's anointing of Jesus Christ.
Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.
Jesus Christ as God's Anointed One (the Messiah)
Acts 4:26–27 Jesus Christ's receiving of the Holy Spirit at his baptism was his “anointing” for his Messianic work; Acts 10:38 Note the link between anointing and the Holy Spirit. See also Daniel 9:25–26; Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:1; Hebrews 1:9
The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.’ In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed.
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.