Lexical Summary mashach: To anoint, smear, consecrate Original Word: מָשַׁח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance anoint, paint A primitive root; to rub with oil, i.e. To anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint -- anoint, paint. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to smear, anoint NASB Translation anoint (21), anointed (42), anointing (1), oil (1), painting (1), spread (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs מָשַׁח verb smear, anoint (Late Hebrew id.; originally probably as Arabic  wipe orstroke with the hand (compare RSSemitic i. 215; 2nd ed., 283), anoint, Aramaic  מְשַׁח anoint; on משת, id. (?) in Aramaic inscription see CISii.1. No.145, C, 1; Palmyrene משחא oil VogNo.16; Ethiopic  anoint, feast, dine DiLex 176; (Assyrian mašâ—u is measure; Aramaic מְשַׁח id.; Arabic  measurement, compare DlProl. 178 Frä282)); — Qal Perfect3masculine singular ׳מ Numbers 3:25 2t.; suffix מְשָֽׁחֲךָ Psalm 45:8; 1 Samuel 10:1; מְשָׁחוֺ2Chronicles 22:7; 2 masculine singular מָשַׁחְתָּ Genesis 31:13 12t., + 9 t. Perfect; Imperfect3masculine singular יִמְשַׁח Leviticus 16:32 6t.; 3 masculine plural יִמְשָׁ֑חוּ Amos 6:6, + 13 t. Imperfect; Imperative suffix מְשָׁחֵהוּ 1 Samuel 16:12; plural מִשְׁחוּ Isaiah 21:5; Infinitive absolute מָשׁוֺחַ Jeremiah 22:14; construct מְשֹׁחַ Judges 9:8; Daniel 9:24 + Hosea 8:3 ᵐ5 We GASm Now; מָשְׁחָה Exodus 29:29; suffix מְשׁחֳךָ1Samuel 15:1 (Baer); מָשְׁחוֺ Leviticus 7:36; מָשְׁחָתָם Exodus 40:15; Participle plural משְׁחִים Judges 9:15; passive מָשׁוּחַ 2 Samuel 3:39 (We suggests derivation from שׁח, defective משׁח (מֻשַׁח), wrongly read as מָשֻׁחַ; or by transposition משׁוח may have been mistaken for an unexampled מוּשַׁח Hoph`al Participle of שׁוח); מָשִׁיחַ 2 Samuel 1:21 (but read מָשֻׁח (or נמשׁח) Manuscripts We Dr Kit Bu HPS); plural מְשֻׁחִים Exodus 29:2 4t; — 1 smear, house with colour (paint) Jeremiah 22:14; shield with oil (anoint) Isaiah 21:5; 2 Samuel 1:21 (compare Dr; Gr כְּלִי מָשׁוּחַ weapon anointed; PetersJBL 893, 56 כְּלֵי מָשׁוּחַ weapons of one (the king) anointed); the person, with ointments Amos 6:6; unleavened cakes, with oil Exodus 29:2; Leviticus 2:4; Numbers 6:15 (P). 2 anoint, as consecration, solemn setting apart to an office, always by the use of oil poured on the head: לנביא as a prophet 1 Kings 19:16 (Elisha by Elijah) Isaiah 61:1; elsewhere of king, with accusative, מֶלֶךְ Judges 9:8 (E), so Hosea 8:3 reading מִמְּשֹׁחַ מֶלֶךְ (for ᵑ0 ׳מִמַּשָּׂא מ) We GASm Now; also Hosea 7:3 reading יִמְשְׁחוּ (for ᵑ0 יְשַׂמְּחוּ) We Now; elsewhere accusative of person 1 Samuel 16:3,12,13; 1 Kings 1:39; 2 Kings 11:12; 2 Kings 23:30; 2Chronicles 22:7; 23:11; בְּשֶׁמֶן קָדְשִׁי Psalm 89:21 with my holy oil; שׁמן שָׂשׂוֺן Psalm 45:8 (figurative); with על, 2 Samuel 19:11 whom we have anointed over us; לְמֶלֶךְ 1 Kings 1:45; 1 Kings 5:15; with עַל, לְמֶלֶךְ Judges 9:15; 2 Samuel 2:4,7; 1 Kings 19:15; על ישׂראל over Israel 1 Samuel 15:1,17; 2 Samuel 5:3 = 1 Chronicles 11:3; 2 Samuel 5:17; 2 Samuel 12:7; 1 Kings 1:34; 1 Kings 19:16; אֶליֿשׂראל 2 Kings 9:3,6,12 (Ehpraimitic source); לנגיד 1 Chronicles 29:22; על 1 Samuel 9:16; 1 Samuel 10:1; מָשׁוּחַ מֶלֶךְ 2 Samuel 3:39 (? see above) 3 anoint, consecrate to religious service: a. Aaronic priests, only P, with accusative of person Exodus 28:41; Exodus 29:7; Exodus 30:30; Exodus 40:13,15 (3 t. in verse); Leviticus 7:36; Leviticus 8:12; Leviticus 16:32; absolute Exodus 29:29; הכהנים הַמְּשֻׁחִים Numbers 3:3. b. sacred things: מַצֵּבָה Genesis 31:13 (E); tabernacle and its sacred vessels Exodus 29:36; Exodus 30:26; Exodus 40:9,10,11; Leviticus 8:10,11 (all P); קדשׁ קדשׁים Daniel 9:24. Niph`al Perfect3masculine singular נִמְשַׁח 1 Chronicles 14:8; Infinitive הִמָּשַׁח Leviticus 6:13 3t; — be anointed, למלך על כל ישׂראל 1 Chronicles 14:8; Aaron and his sons Leviticus 6:13 (P); altar Numbers 7:10,84,88. מְשַׁח noun [masculine] oil (see Biblical Hebrew); — absolute Ezra 6:9; Ezra 7:22. [מִשְׁכַּב] see שׁכב. [מִשְׁכַּן] see שׁכן. [מַשְׁרוֺקִית] see שׁרק. [מִשְׁתֶּה] see שׁתּה. [מַתְּנָא] see נתן. Topical Lexicon Overview The Hebrew verb מָשַׁח occurs about sixty-nine times and always involves the deliberate application of oil (or occasionally other substances) to set apart a person, object, or place for sacred service. The act signifies divine choice, empowerment, and sanctification. Consecration of Priests and Sanctuary Moses “anointed” Aaron and his sons, together with the tabernacle and its furnishings (Exodus 28:41; Leviticus 8:10-12). This inaugural use established a pattern: The oil signified that ministry is a divine trust, not a human appointment (Hebrews 5:4). Installation of Kings Israel’s monarchy was founded on anointing. Samuel told Saul, “The Lord has anointed you ruler over His inheritance” (1 Samuel 10:1). David was then anointed at Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:13); the Spirit rushed upon him “from that day forward,” linking anointing with the Spirit’s empowering presence. Other royal anointings include: Each anointing authenticated God’s sovereign selection and bound the king to covenant faithfulness. Prophets and Special Servants While prophets were not routinely anointed, the verb is applied to Elisha: “You are to anoint Elisha son of Shaphat as prophet in your place” (1 Kings 19:16). Isaiah 61:1 anticipates a Servant whose anointing brings good news, liberty, and comfort—the passage Jesus applied to Himself in Nazareth (Luke 4:18). Objects, Altars, and Stones Jacob anointed the pillar at Bethel (Genesis 28:18). Later, the bronze altar, laver, ark, table, lampstand, and altar of incense were anointed (Exodus 30:26-28). The act transferred holiness, making ordinary materials fit for God’s dwelling. The Holy Anointing Oil Exodus 30:22-33 records the divinely prescribed mixture—myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil. It was “holy, holy” (verse 32), forbidden for common use. By protecting its recipe and application, Scripture safeguards the uniqueness of God’s worship and the exclusivity of His appointed mediators. Messianic Expectation Because kings, priests, and (occasionally) prophets were anointed, the title “Messiah” (מָשִׁיחַ, literally “Anointed One”) emerged. Key texts: The New Testament identifies Jesus as the fulfillment (Acts 10:38; John 1:41). His anointing by the Spirit at the Jordan inaugurates the promised kingdom and priestly mediation. Anointing and the Holy Spirit The transition from oil to Spirit is explicit: “The Spirit of the Lord will come mightily upon you” (1 Samuel 10:6); “The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David” (1 Samuel 16:13). Oil symbolizes the invisible reality. Believers share in this grace: “You have an anointing from the Holy One” (1 John 2:20). Christological Fulfillment Acts 4:27 interprets Psalm 2: “Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together … to conspire against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed.” Hebrews 1:9 applies Psalm 45:7 to Christ: “Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your companions.” The once-for-all anointing of Jesus secures eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12) and establishes Him as Prophet, Priest, and King. Ministry Significance for the Church 1 Peter 2:9 calls believers “a royal priesthood,” echoing anointing themes: set apart, Spirit-empowered, and commissioned to proclaim God’s excellencies. James 5:14 prescribes anointing the sick with oil in the name of the Lord, linking physical care with prayerful dependence on God’s power. Summary מָשַׁח weaves through the Old Testament as a tangible sign of divine choice and consecration, prefiguring the perfect Anointed One. In Him the shadows find substance, and through Him the church receives the Spirit’s abiding anointing for holy worship and faithful witness. Forms and Transliterations הִמָּשַׁ֣ח הִמָּשַׁ֥ח הַמְּשֻׁחִ֑ים המשח המשחים וְלִמְשֹׁ֖חַ וַיִּמְשְׁח֣וּ וַיִּמְשְׁח֥וּ וַיִּמְשְׁח֧וּ וַיִּמְשְׁח֨וּ וַיִּמְשְׁחוּ־ וַיִּמְשַׁ֖ח וַיִּמְשַׁ֣ח וַיִּמְשַׁ֥ח וַיִּמְשַׁ֨ח וַיִּמְשָׁחֲךָ֧ וַיִּמְשָׁחֵ֖ם וַיִּמְשָׁחֻ֑הוּ וַיִּמְשָׁחֻ֙הוּ֙ וּמְשַׁחְתּ֤וֹ וּמָֽשַׁחְתָּ֥ וּמָשַׁ֣ח וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֖ וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֛ וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֣ וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֥ וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֧ וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֨ וּמָשׁ֖וֹחַ וּמָשׁ֣וּחַ וימשח וימשחהו וימשחו וימשחו־ וימשחך וימשחם ולמשח ומשוח ומשח ומשחת ומשחתו יִמְשַׁ֣ח יִמְשָׁ֑חוּ ימשח ימשחו לִמְשָׁחֳךָ֣ לִמְשֹׁ֥חַ למשח למשחך מְשַׁחְתִּ֤יךָֽ מְשַׁחְתִּ֥יךָֽ מְשַׁחְתִּ֧יךָֽ מְשַׁחְתִּֽיו׃ מְשָׁח֣וֹ מְשָׁחֲךָ֡ מְשָׁחֲךָ֧ מְשָׁחֵ֖הוּ מְשֻׁחִ֣ים מְשֻׁחִ֥ים מִשְׁח֥וּ מָשְׁח֣וֹ מָשְׁח֥וּ מָשְׁח֧וּ מָשְׁח֨וּ מָשַׁ֙חְתָּ֙ מָשַׁ֣חְנוּ מָשַׁ֤חְתָּ מָשַׁ֥ח מָשַׁח֩ מֹשְׁחִ֨ים משח משחהו משחו משחים משחך משחנו משחת משחתיו׃ משחתיך נִמְשַׁ֨ח נמשח תִּמְשַׁ֥ח תִּמְשָׁ֑ח תמשח ham·mə·šu·ḥîm hammeshuChim hamməšuḥîm him·mā·šaḥ himmāšaḥ himmaShach lim·šā·ḥo·ḵā lim·šō·aḥ limšāḥoḵā limShoach limshochoCha limšōaḥ mā·šaḥ mā·šaḥ·nū mā·šaḥ·tā mā·šə·ḥōw mā·šə·ḥū māšaḥ māšaḥnū māšaḥtā māšəḥōw māšəḥū maShach maShachnu maShachta masheCho masheChu mə·šā·ḥă·ḵā mə·šā·ḥê·hū mə·šā·ḥōw mə·šaḥ·tî·ḵā mə·šaḥ·tîw mə·šu·ḥîm məšāḥăḵā məšāḥêhū məšāḥōw məšaḥtîḵā məšaḥtîw meshachaCha meshaChehu meshaCho meshachTicha meshachTiv meshuChim məšuḥîm miš·ḥū mishChu mišḥū mō·šə·ḥîm mōšəḥîm mosheChim nim·šaḥ nimšaḥ nimShach tim·šaḥ tim·šāḥ timšaḥ timšāḥ timShach ū·mā·šaḥ ū·mā·šaḥ·tā ū·mā·šō·w·aḥ ū·mā·šū·aḥ ū·mə·šaḥ·tōw ūmāšaḥ ūmāšaḥtā umaShach umashachTa umaShoach umaShuach ūmāšōwaḥ ūmāšūaḥ ūməšaḥtōw umeshachTo vaiyimShach vaiyimshachaCha vaiyimshaChem vaiyimshaChuhu vaiyimshechu velimShoach way·yim·šā·ḥă·ḵā way·yim·šā·ḥêm way·yim·šā·ḥu·hū way·yim·šaḥ way·yim·šə·ḥū way·yim·šə·ḥū- wayyimšaḥ wayyimšāḥăḵā wayyimšāḥêm wayyimšāḥuhū wayyimšəḥū wayyimšəḥū- wə·lim·šō·aḥ wəlimšōaḥ yim·šā·ḥū yim·šaḥ yimšaḥ yimšāḥū yimShach yimShachuLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 31:13 HEB: אֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר מָשַׁ֤חְתָּ שָּׁם֙ מַצֵּבָ֔ה NAS: where you anointed a pillar, KJV: of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, INT: Bethel you anointed in it A pillar Exodus 28:41 Exodus 29:2 Exodus 29:7 Exodus 29:36 Exodus 30:26 Exodus 30:30 Exodus 40:9 Exodus 40:10 Exodus 40:11 Exodus 40:13 Exodus 40:15 Exodus 40:15 Leviticus 2:4 Leviticus 6:20 Leviticus 7:12 Leviticus 7:36 Leviticus 8:10 Leviticus 8:11 Leviticus 8:12 Leviticus 16:32 Numbers 3:3 Numbers 6:15 Numbers 7:1 Numbers 7:1 69 Occurrences |
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