Anointing With Oil
Anoint; Anointing - To authorize, or set apart, a person or object for a particular work or service.
Anoint w/ Oil - To smear or rub oil on a part of the body for consecration, healing, or service. The head and/or feet were usually what was anointed.
What is anointing oil used for in the Bible and is it still to be used today?
Anointing someone or something with oil is an act, of faith, for setting that person or thing apart unto the Lord.
Anointing with oil is a sign of blessing and consecration for a person or object, usually set apart by God.
Anointing of high priest: Exodus 29:7, 29; 40:13; Leviticus 6:20; 8:12; 16:32; Numbers 35:25; Psalm 133:2
Anointing of priests: Exodus 28:41; 30:30; 40:15; Leviticus 4:3; 8:30; Numbers 3:3
Anointing of kings: Judges 9:8, 15; Saul (1 Samuel 9:16; 10:1; 15:1), David
(1 Samuel 16:3, 12:13; 2 Samuel 2:4, 5:3, 12:7, 9:21; 1 Chronicles 11:3), Solomon (1 Kings 1:39; 1 Chronicles 29:22)
Anointing of prophets: 1 Kings 19:16
“And you shall take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint him.”
Exodus 29:7
“Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood which was on the altar, and sprinkled it on Aaron, on his garments, on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him; and he consecrated Aaron, his garments, his sons, and the garments of his sons with him.”
Leviticus 8:30
“Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.”
1 Kings 19:16
Unable to use oil for anointing was a sign of judgment and cursing.
Deuteronomy 28:40
Anointing with oil was also a picture of Jesus who is
the Messiah (Hebrew mashiah which means “anointed one“).
“the kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed,
Saying, ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.’”
Psalm 2:2
“You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
Psalm 45:7
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;”
Isaiah 61:1
The people of God are called anointed: Psalm 18:50, 20:6, 89:20-23
“Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;”
Psalm 20:6a
A picture of repentance and forgiveness:
“Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil,
38. and stood at his feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.
44. Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.
45. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.
46. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.
47. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.’
48. Then He said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.
49. And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sin?’
Then He said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.’”
Luke 7:36-38, 44-49
God anoints His children:
“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God.”
2 Corinthians 2:21
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.”
1 John 2:20
Anointing w/ oil is a picture of unity among God’s children:
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
for brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head,
running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron,”
Psalm 133:1-2a
The anointing of God helps us to understand & apply His Word:
“But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.”
1 John 2:27
Prescribed for believers today!:
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.
Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
Is anyone among you sick?
Let him call for the elders of the church,
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil
in the name of the Lord.”
James 5:13-14
Anointing of the Tabernacle: Exodus 30:26, 40:9; Leviticus 8:10; Numbers 7:1
General references to anointing with oil for cosmetic or other uses are found in Ruth 3:3; Daniel 10:3; 2 Samuel 12:20, 14:2; 2 Chronicles 28:15; Ezekiel 16:9
Anointing of Objects: Exodus 29:36, 30:26, 40:10; Leviticus 8:11; Numbers 7:1
Anointing of Persons: Leviticus 8:30; Numbers 10:1, 16:13; 1 Kings 1:39, 19:16; 2 Kings 9:3, 11:12, 23:30; Matthew 6:17;
2 Corinthians 1:21
Anointing of Guests: 2 Chronicles 28:15; John 11:2, 12:3
Anointing w/ Oil: Ruth 3:3; Psalm 92:10; Ecclesiastes 9:8; Isaiah 57:9; Amos 6:6; Micah 6:15
Anointing w/ Oil (figuratively): 2 Corinthians 1:21; 1 John 2:20, 2:27
Anointing as a Remedy: Isaiah 1:6; Mark 6:13; Luke 10:34; James 5:14; Revelation 3:18
Anointing someone with oil, whether for dedication/consecration, blessing, in prayer for the sick, or other reasons, is not only an act of obedience before the Lord, it is also a beautiful picture of God’s grace and mercy which heals us as it covers.
