Anointing

Anointing

The application of oil was associated with times of rejoicing and celebration. It was used to set a person or thing apart as holy and consecrated. It was also used to confer authority on a person. In the Bible the anointing is considered to be conferred by God, though mediated through a person acting on God’s behalf.

Anointing as a social custom

In personal grooming The associations here are of joy and well-being. See also ; ; ; ;

Anointing guests as a mark of honour See also ,;

Anointing corpses as a burial preparation See also ;

Anointing religious objects

Anointed objects are set apart (consecrated), to be used only in the performance of religious ceremonies. See also ;

Anointing people for office

Priests See also ; ;

Kings See also ; ; ;

A prophet the only reference to the anointing of a prophet

Anointing people for other purposes

For purification

For healing It has been suggested that anointing in a healing context may be related to the use of oil for medicinal purposes. See also

The figurative use of anointing

Anointing by God 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”; Cyrus, as God’s agent for a specific task, is referred to as “his anointed”. See also ; ; ; ;

God’s people in the OT pp

Christian believers See also , This anointing is not received in an outward ceremony but by sharing in the Holy Spirit’s anointing of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ as God’s Anointed One (the Messiah)

Jesus Christ’s receiving of the Holy Spirit at his baptism was his “anointing” for his Messianic work; Note the link between anointing and the Holy Spirit. See also ; ; ; [1]

pp parallel passage

[1] Manser, M. H. (1999). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.