Coming of Messiah

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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.

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Anointing as a social custom

In personal grooming

Ec 9:8 The associations here are of joy and well-being.

See also Ru 3:3; Ps 92:10; Is 57:9; Am 6:6; Mt 6:17

Anointing guests as a mark of honour

Psalm 23:5 NIV

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

See also Lk 7:36–39; Lk 7:44–47; Jn 12:3

Anointing corpses as a burial preparation

Mark 16:1 NIV

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.

Anointing religious objects

Ex 40:9–11 Anointed objects are set apart (consecrated), to be used only in the performance of religious ceremonies.

Anointing people for office

Priests

Exodus 40:12–15 NIV

“Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest. Bring his sons and dress them in tunics. Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so they may serve me as priests. Their anointing will be to a priesthood that will continue throughout their generations.”

See also Le 4:16; Le 21:10–12; 1 Ch 29:22

Kings

1 Kings 1:39 NIV

Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!”

See also 1 Sa 10:1; 1 Sa 16:12–13; 2 Sa 5:3; 2 Ki 11:12

A prophet

1 Ki 19:15–16 the only reference to the anointing of a prophet

Anointing people for other purposes

For purification

Leviticus 14:15–18 NIV

The priest shall then take some of the log of oil, pour it in the palm of his own left hand, dip his right forefinger into the oil in his palm, and with his finger sprinkle some of it before the Lord seven times. The priest is to put some of the oil remaining in his palm on the lobe of the right ear of the one to be cleansed, on the thumb of their right hand and on the big toe of their right foot, on top of the blood of the guilt offering. The rest of the oil in his palm the priest shall put on the head of the one to be cleansed and make atonement for them before the Lord.

For healing

Mk 6:13 It has been suggested that anointing in a healing context may be related to the use of oil for medicinal purposes.

The figurative use of anointing

Anointing by God

1 Sa 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”; Is 45:1 Cyrus, as God’s agent for a specific task, is referred to as “his anointed”.

See also 2 Sa 23:1; Ps 2:2; Ps 45:2; Ps 89:20; Eze 28:14

God’s people in the OT

1 Chronicles 16:22 NIV

“Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.”

Christian believers

2 Corinthians 1:21–22 NIV

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

See also 1 Jn 2:20; 1 Jn 2:27 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)

Ac 4:26–27 Jesus Christ’s receiving of the Holy Spirit at his baptism was his “anointing” for his Messianic work; Ac 10:38 Note the link between anointing and the Holy Spirit.