Anoint; Anointed
What is Anointing?
Anointing is the ritual act of pouring or smearing oil, typically olive oil, sometimes mixed with fragrant spices, on a person or object. In the ancient Near East, this practice had both everyday and sacred dimensions. Commonly, people anointed themselves for hygiene, healing, or as a sign of hospitality and celebration (Ruth 3:3; Psalm 104:15; Mark 6:13; Luke 7:46). However, its most profound significance in Scripture is religious and symbolic, marking a person or thing as set apart by and for God.
Anointing in the Old Testament Narrative
The practice of sacred anointing is established in the Law of Moses. God commanded Moses to anoint the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings to consecrate them, making them holy (Exodus 30:22-29). The ritual was central for ordaining the priesthood: Aaron and his sons were anointed to serve as priests before God (Exodus 28:41; Leviticus 8:12).
Later, anointing became the formal act of installing Israel's kings. The prophet Samuel anointed Saul (1 Samuel 10:1) and later David (1 Samuel 16:13) as kings over Israel, signifying God's choice and the endowment of royal authority. The king was thus known as 'the Lord's anointed' (1 Samuel 24:6). Prophets were also occasionally anointed, as when Elijah was told to anoint Elisha as his successor (1 Kings 19:16).
The Anointed One: Messiah and Christ
This lineage of anointed figures, especially the kings from the line of David, culminated in the hope for a future, ultimate ruler. The Hebrew word Mashiach (Messiah) and the Greek Christos (Christ) both mean 'Anointed One.' Prophetic texts pointed to a coming Davidic king who would be uniquely anointed by God's Spirit to bring salvation and establish God's kingdom (Psalm 2:2; Isaiah 61:1; Daniel 9:25-26).
Anointing in the New Testament
The New Testament declares that Jesus of Nazareth is this promised Anointed One. At his baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon him, anointing him for his ministry (Matthew 3:16; Luke 4:18-19, quoting Isaiah 61:1). The early church preached that 'God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power' (Acts 10:38). Jesus is identified as both the royal Messiah (John 1:41) and the ultimate high priest (Hebrews 1:9), fulfilling all the anointed offices of the Old Testament.
The concept expands to include believers. Christians are described as being anointed by God, who 'set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts' (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 1 John 2:20, 27). This spiritual anointing signifies belonging to God, receiving the Holy Spirit's teaching, and being set apart for God's service.
The Act of Anointing in the Early Church
The practical act of anointing with oil continued in the New Testament church, primarily associated with prayer for healing. The disciples anointed the sick with oil (Mark 6:13), and James instructs the elders of the church to pray over and anoint a sick person with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:14). This practice symbolized God's healing power and presence.
Biblical Context
The theme of anointing appears throughout the entire biblical narrative. In the Torah (Pentateuch), it establishes the priesthood and consecrates the Tabernacle (Exodus, Leviticus). The Historical Books record the anointing of kings like Saul, David, and Solomon (1 & 2 Samuel, 1 Kings). The Psalms and Prophets develop the theology of the coming 'Anointed' king or Messiah (Psalms 2, 45, 89; Isaiah 61; Daniel 9). The Gospels identify Jesus as the Christ, and the book of Acts and the Epistles explain how believers now share in this anointing through the Holy Spirit.
Theological Significance
Anointing teaches that God chooses and empowers specific people and means for his redemptive purposes. It signifies consecration (being set apart for God), authorization (being commissioned for a task), and endowment (being equipped by the Holy Spirit). The title 'Christ' is not merely Jesus's last name but a profound declaration of his identity as God's appointed Savior-King. Furthermore, the believer's anointing underscores the New Covenant reality: through union with Christ, every Christian is set apart, indwelt by the Spirit, and called to God's service, fulfilling the royal and priestly roles foreshadowed in Israel (1 Peter 2:9).
Historical Background
Archaeological and textual evidence from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Canaan shows that anointing with oil was a widespread practice for hygiene, medicine, hospitality, and in royal and religious ceremonies. Egyptian and Hittite texts describe the anointing of kings, and the discovery of ornate cosmetic and oil containers in the Levant attests to the cultural importance of oils and perfumes. This common cultural practice was adopted and transformed by Israel, infused with unique theological meaning to signify Yahweh's direct choice and empowerment, distinguishing it from the rituals of surrounding nations.