Anoint

The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews.

The act of anointing was significant of consecration to a holy or sacred use; hence the anointing of the high priest (Exod 29:29; Lev 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Exod 30:26). The high priest and the king are thus called “the anointed” (Lev 4:3, 5, 16; 6:20; Ps 132:10). Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him (1 Sam 16:13; 2 Sam 2:4, etc.). Prophets were also anointed (1 Kgs 19:16; 1 Chr 16:22; Ps 105:15). The expression, “anoint the shield” (Isa 21:5), refers to the custom of rubbing oil on the leather of the shield so as to make it supple and fit for use in war.

Anointing was also an act of hospitality (Luke 7:38, 46). It was the custom of the Jews in like manner to anoint themselves with oil, as a means of refreshing or invigorating their bodies (Deut 28:40; Ruth 3:3; 2 Sam 14:2; Ps 104:15, etc.). This custom is continued among the Arabians to the present day.

Oil was used also for medicinal purposes. It was applied to the sick, and also to wounds (Ps 109:18; Isa 1:6; Mark 6:13; Jas 5:14).

The bodies of the dead were sometimes anointed (Mark 14:8; Luke 23:56).

The promised Deliverer is twice called the “Anointed” or Messiah (Ps 2:2; Dan 9:25, 26), because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost (Isa 61:1), figuratively styled the “oil of gladness” (Ps 45:7; Heb 1:9). Jesus of Nazareth is this anointed One (John 1:41; Acts 9:22; 17:2, 3; 18:5, 28), the Messiah of the Old Testament.