Lexical Summary egchrió: To anoint, to rub in Original Word: ἐγχρίω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance anoint. From en and chrio; to rub in (oil), i.e. Besmear -- anoint. see GREEK en see GREEK chrio NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and chrió Definition to rub in (oil) NASB Translation anoint (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1472: ἐγχρίωἐγχρίω (see ἐν, III. 3): 1 aorist active imperative ἐγχρῖσον, middle (in T Tr) ἐνχρισαι (but L WH 1 aorist active infinitive ἐνχρισαι, (Griesbach ἐγχρῖσαι; cf. Veitch, under the word χρίω, at the end)); to rub in, besmear, anoint; middle to anoint for oneself: τούς ὀφθαλμούς, Revelation 3:18 (cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) 149f, 131); Winer's Grammar, § 32, 4 a.). (Tobit 6:9 Tobit 11:7; Strabo, Anthol., Epictetus, others.) Topical Lexicon Word and Scriptural Setting Strong’s Greek 1472 appears once, in Revelation 3:18, where the risen Lord counsels the church in Laodicea to “buy from Me … salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see” (Berean Standard Bible). The infinitive form ἐγχρῖσαι carries the idea of rubbing in or smearing with an ointment. Unlike the more liturgical χρίω, which often designates consecration for office, this term evokes a therapeutic, restorative action. Geographical and Cultural Background: Laodicea Laodicea was famed for its medical school and a Phrygian powder blended into an eye ointment exported across the empire. Christ’s imagery therefore taps the city’s civic pride, revealing that what Laodicea possessed materially it lacked spiritually. The congregation assumed it “needed nothing,” yet the Great Physician diagnoses blindness and prescribes His own remedy. Medical Usage and Everyday Connotation Greco-Roman texts describe eye salves made from saffron, zinc oxide, or calamine, mixed with oil and applied with a small spatula. The verb translated “to anoint” thus reflects a commonplace household treatment. It speaks of deliberate, personal application: the believer must let Christ’s remedy penetrate, not merely admire it on the shelf. Old Testament Echoes of Anointing Oil applied for refreshment (Ruth 3:3), healing (Isaiah 1:6), and consecration (Exodus 30:30) forms the backdrop. While χρίω marks kings and priests for service, ἐγχρῖσαι recalls the simple shepherd’s flask that soothed chapped skin and insect-bitten eyes. The Lord combines royal authority with pastoral care: He who anoints kings also stoops to treat irritated eyes. Spiritual Blindness and Sight Throughout Scripture sight is linked to understanding (Isaiah 6:9–10). Jesus heals physical blindness to illustrate spiritual sight (John 9). By Revelation 3:18 the ascended Christ applies the metaphor corporately: self-satisfied religion obscures perception; only the Master’s salve enables a church to discern reality. Connection with the Holy Spirit’s Ministry Although ἐγχρῖσαι is distinct from the noun χρῖσμα in 1 John 2:20, 27, the ideas converge. The Spirit imparts discernment and guards believers from deception. Revelation’s eye salve likewise restores perception so the church may recognize truth, repent, and walk in fellowship. Pastoral Implications 1. Dependence on Christ: Material affluence can dull spiritual sensitivity. Regular “application” of Christ’s counsel—through Scripture, prayer, and obedience—keeps vision clear. Historical Interpretation Early commentators such as Irenaeus and Augustine treated the Laodicean salve as the illumination of the Spirit and the Scriptures. Reformation teachers saw in it a rebuke to complacent churches. Contemporary expositors note the striking fit between the metaphor and Laodicea’s local commerce, underlining Scripture’s historical precision. Related Scriptural Motifs • Isaiah 42:6–7—Messiah opens blind eyes. Together these passages frame Revelation 3:18 as part of a consistent biblical theme: God alone grants true vision. Practical Application for Believers Today Examination: Ask the Lord to expose any self-reliance that clouds judgment. Reception: Immerse the mind in Scripture; it is the divine eye salve. Action: Obey promptly; sight increases with practice (Hebrews 5:14). Summary Strong’s Greek 1472 portrays Christ as Physician applying restorative ointment to a church impaired by self-sufficiency. Rooted in everyday medical practice yet enriched by the whole sweep of biblical anointing, the single occurrence of ἐγχρῖσαι in Revelation 3:18 summons every believer, in every age, to seek clear sight from the only One who can grant it. Forms and Transliterations αυτούς εγχρισαι ἐγχρῖσαι εγχρίση εγχρισον εγχρονίζει εγχρονιζόντων εγχώριοι εγχώριος εγχωρίω εγχωρίων enchrisai enchrîsaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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