Anointing oil, deeply rooted in biblical tradition, continues to carry significant spiritual meaning for us today. This ancient practice, referenced in scriptures equivalent to James 5:14-15, symbolizes the presence of the Holy Spirit and represents a physical act of expressing faith and devotion. Historically, anointing with oil has been used for consecrating priests, healing the sick, and isolating individuals for God’s purposes. Let’s discover examples within the Bible of anointing oil, its meaning and significance, and the explanations it continues to be practiced today.
Anointing Meaning
“Anointing” refers back to the act of consecrating or dedicating someone or something by applying oil or one other substance. This term carries each literal and figurative meanings.
In a literal sense, anointing involves the ceremonial application of oil in religious services, equivalent to the anointing of priests, kings, or prophets within the Bible. Figuratively, “anointing” extends to a spiritual context, representing the divine empowerment, consecration, and favor the Holy Spirit bestowed upon individuals for specific roles or tasks. To be anointed signifies a special set-apart status for fulfilling a specific purpose or calling.
The Hebrew term mashach meant “to anoint or smear with oil.” The oil used for religious anointing was rigorously combined with tremendous spices in response to an in depth procedure prescribed by the Lord (Exodus 30:22–32). Using this oil for another purpose was a grave transgression, bearing the punishment of being “cut off” from the community (Exodus 30:33).
The generic definition of anointing is “to smear or rub with oil, typically as a part of a spiritual ceremony.” In Christian tradition, anointing is a very important practice to heal the sick or designate a ceremonial meaning.
As defined in Smith’s Bible Dictionary:
Anointing: within the Holy Scripture, is either 1. Material, with oil, or 2. Spiritual, with the Holy Spirit.
Reasons for Anointing with Oil
1. Ordinary
Anointing the body or head with oil was a standard practice with the Jews, as with other Oriental nations. (Deuteronomy 28:40; Ruth 3:3; Micah 6:15) Anointing the pinnacle with oil or ointment seems also to have been a mark of respect sometimes paid by a number to his guests (Luke 7:46) and Psalm 23).
2. Official
It was a rite of inauguration into each of the three typical offices of the Jewish commonwealth. a. Prophets were occasionally anointed to their office (1 Kings 19:16) and were called messiahs or anointed. (1 Chronicles 16:22; Psalms 105:15) b. Priests, at the primary institution of the Levitical priesthood, were all anointed to their offices (Exodus 40:15; Numbers 3:3), but afterward, anointing seems to have been specially reserved for the high priest (Exodus 29:29; Leviticus 16:32), in order that “the priest that’s anointed,” (Leviticus 4:3) is mostly thought to mean the high priest. c. Kings. Anointing was the principal and divinely appointed ceremony within the inauguration of the Jewish Kings (1 Samuel 9:16; 10:1; 1 Kings 1:34,39). The rite was sometimes performed greater than once. David was thrice anointed. d. Inanimate objects were also anointed with oil in token of their being set apart for religious service. Thus Jacob anointed a pillar at Bethel (Genesis 31:13; Exodus 30:26-28).
3. Ecclesiastical
Anointing with oil is prescribed by St. James for use for the recovery of the sick (James 5:14). Analogous to that is the anointing with oil practiced by the twelve (Mark 6:13).
Spiritual Meaning for Anointing with Oil
1. In the Old Testament, a Deliverer is promised under the title of Messiah, or Anointed (Psalms 2:2; Daniel 9:25,26), and the character of his anointing is described to be spiritual, with the Holy Ghost (Isaiah 61:1). See Luke 4:18 In the New Testament Jesus of Nazareth is shown to be the Messiah, or Christ or Anointed, of the Old Testament, (John 1:41; Acts 9:22; 17:2,3; 18:4,28) and the historical fact of his being anointed with the Holy Ghost is asserted and recorded. (John 1:32,33; Acts 4:27; 10:38). Christ was anointed as prophet, priest, and king.
2. Spiritual anointing with the Holy Spirit can also be conferred upon Christians by God (2 Corinthians 1:21). “Anointing” expresses the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit upon Christians who’re priests and kings unto God.
Biblical Uses of Anointing Oil
In the Bible, anointing with oil is served in religious ceremonies and used for grooming (Ruth 3:3; Matthew 6:17), refreshment (Luke 7:46), medicinal remedies (Luke 10:34), and burial customs (Mark 16:1).
Traditional Daily Use
Anointing with oil was traditional among the many Hebrews as welcoming someone to their home. It also was common for early Christians to anoint themselves to revive or energize their bodies. A standard use of anointing oils can be to honor someone as an act of hospitality.
Medicine and Invocation for Healing
Oil was used for the sick in addition to applied to injuries. High-quality anointing oils, medicines, and fragrances created with pure ingredients had calming and therapeutic properties from the medicinal attributes of natural plant extracts. The traditional practice can be to anoint those sick and pray an anointing appeal for healing.
The anointing of the sick is mostly related to the Roman Catholic Church. The Anointing of the Sick is a biblically-based ceremony performed in certain Christian denominations for the advantage of a one who is sick, frail from age, or about to have major surgery. The ceremony petitions God for the person’s spiritual and physical healing through the Holy Spirit and is supposed to unite the person with the suffering of Christ. Read more about this specific sort of use of anointing oil in our article: What is Anointing of the Sick and is it Biblical?
Protection in Spiritual Warfare
The phrase “anoint the shield” (Isaiah 21:5) indicates the practice of rubbing oil on the leather of a soldier’s shield so it might be agile and ready for war. The common practice can be for preparing or engaging in a spiritual battle.
Should We Anoint the Sick with Oil?
This query arises based on Scripture’s call to anoint the sick with oil in verses equivalent to James 5:14–15 which says, “Is anyone amongst you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and allow them to pray over him, anointing him with oil within the name of the Lord. And the prayer of religion will save the one who’s sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will likely be forgiven.”
While anointing with oil is a meaningful practice, it will not be a strict requirement for prayers of healing. The emphasis is on the prayer of religion having the ability to heal the sick. These verses offer guidance for coping with illness and highlight the importance of communal support, prayer, and faith within the healing process.
Anointing with oil is seen as a symbolic act, representing the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. While not universally practiced, it will probably be a meaningful ritual for individuals who select to make use of it. This practice is more common in Catholic and Orthodox churches.
Examples of Anointing within the Bible
In the Bible, anointing is commonly related to consecration, dedication, and empowerment for a particular purpose. Here are some notable examples of anointing within the Bible:
Anointing of Aaron and his sons: In Exodus 29:7 and Leviticus 8:12, God instructs Moses to anoint Aaron, the high priest, and his sons with oil to consecrate them for his or her priestly duties.
Anointing of Kings: Samuel anointed Saul as the primary king of Israel in 1 Samuel 10:1. In 1 Samuel 16:13, Samuel anointed David as the longer term king while he was still a shepherd.
Anointing of Jesus: Jesus, the Messiah, is known as the “Anointed One.” The term “Christ” is derived from the Greek word for “anointed.” In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus quotes Isaiah 61, proclaiming that the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him because He has been anointed to evangelise excellent news.
Anointing for Healing: In James 5:14-15, believers are encouraged to anoint the sick with oil and pray for his or her healing, illustrating the spiritual power of anointing in physical restoration.
Anointing for Empowerment: In Acts 10:38, it’s mentioned how God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, empowering Him to do good and heal all whom the devil oppressed.
Anointing for the Holy Spirit: Believers within the early Christian community were anointed with oil as a symbolic act after they received the Holy Spirit. This is referenced in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 and 1 John 2:20, 27.
Anointing for Service: In Psalm 23:5, the psalmist speaks of being anointed with oil as a logo of God’s blessings and provision.
These examples highlight the various ways during which anointing is utilized in the Bible, symbolizing consecration, authority, empowerment, and God’s favor in various contexts.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/dulezidar
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