4888. mishchah
Lexical Summary
mishchah: Anointing, anointing oil

Original Word: מִשְׁחָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: mishchah
Pronunciation: mish-khaw'
Phonetic Spelling: (meesh-khaw')
KJV: (to be) anointed(-ing), ointment
Word Origin: [from H4886 (מָשַׁח - anointed)]

1. unction (the act)
2. (by implication) a consecratory gift

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
to be anointed, ointment

Or moshchah {mosh-khaw'}; from mashach; unction (the act); by implication, a consecratory gift -- (to be) anointed(-ing), ointment.

see HEBREW mashach

Brown-Driver-Briggs
מִשְׁחָה noun feminine 1. ointment;

2 consecrated portion; — absolute ׳מ Exodus 25:6 +; construct מִשְׁחַת Exodus 30:25 +; —

1 ointment, the holy oil used in the consecration of the Aaronic priests, only in P; שֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה Exodus 25:6; Exodus 29:7,21; Exodus 31:11; Exodus 35:8,15,28; Exodus 37:29; Exodus 39:38; Exodus 40:9; Leviticus 8:2,10,12,30; Leviticus 21:10; Numbers 4:16; מִשְׁחַת קֹדֶשׁ ׳שׁ Exodus 30:25 (twice in verse); Exodus 30:31; יהוה ׳מ ׳שׁ Leviticus 10:7; אֱלֹהָיו ׳מ ׳שׁ Leviticus 21:12.

2 consecrated portion, of Aaron and his sons Leviticus 7:35 (twice in verse) (P).

מָשְׁחָה noun feminine consecrated portion (Ew§ 238 a possibly error of pointing); — Numbers 18:8 (P).

Topical Lexicon
Anointing Oil (Mishchah): Overview

Used approximately twenty-six times in the Old Testament, mishchah denotes the consecrated anointing oil prepared at Sinai and thereafter guarded by the priesthood. Every occurrence underscores its exclusivity for divine service, marking people, places, and objects as belonging wholly to the LORD.

Composition and Sanctity

The LORD Himself dictated the recipe (Exodus 30:22-25): “Take the finest spices: twelve and a half pounds of liquid myrrh, half that amount of fragrant cinnamon, two hundred and fifty shekels of fragrant cane, five hundred shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. Prepare from these a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a sacred anointing oil.” Each ingredient carried symbolic resonance—myrrh for sacrifice, cinnamon for sweetness, cane for uprightness, cassia for humility, olive oil for the Spirit’s enabling. The resulting blend was declared “holy” (Exodus 30:31) and was never to be duplicated for common use; the penalty for imitation was excommunication (Exodus 30:32-33).

Consecration of the Tabernacle and Furnishings

Mishchah was first applied to the sanctuary itself: “Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy” (Exodus 40:9). Ark, table, lampstand, altar, laver, and priestly garments received the oil (Exodus 30:26-29; 40:10-11; Leviticus 8:10). Through this act, inanimate objects were set apart for perpetual holy use, typifying the truth that even the material realm must be yielded to God’s purposes.

Priestly Ordination and Perpetual Priesthood

Aaron and his sons were personally anointed: “Take the anointing oil and anoint his head and pour it on him” (Exodus 29:7). Leviticus 8:12 notes that Moses “poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.” The oil conferred office, but it also signified empowerment. Psalm 133 later celebrates priestly fellowship with the image of oil running down Aaron’s beard, tying mishchah to unity among God’s people. The priestly portions of sacrificial offerings were likewise called “the anointing” (Leviticus 7:35), affirming that their livelihood flowed from their consecrated status.

Guardianship and Stewardship

Supervision of mishchah fell to Eleazar in the wilderness (Numbers 4:16) and to designated priests in the post-exilic community: “Some of the sons of the priests prepared the mixing of the spices” (1 Chronicles 9:30). Such oversight preserved its purity and ensured that its use never slipped into superstition or commercialism.

Restrictions and Holiness of Use

The anointing oil could never touch the flesh of a layperson (Exodus 30:32). Any vessel or person anointed became “most holy” and therefore separated from profane employment. This restriction magnified the gulf between the holy and the common, a distinction fulfilled in Christ, who bridges that gulf by sharing His anointing with believers.

Foreshadowing of the Messiah

The very term “Messiah” means “Anointed One.” Every application of mishchah anticipated the coming Son who would be anointed “with the oil of gladness above His companions” (Psalm 45:7; cf. Hebrews 1:9). Isaiah prophesied that “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news” (Isaiah 61:1). The physical oil prefigured the Holy Spirit who rests on Jesus without measure and who, through Him, now indwells the church.

New Covenant Fulfillment and Ministry Implications

While physical anointing oil appears infrequently in the New Testament, its reality is fulfilled spiritually. “Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). John writes, “You have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth” (1 John 2:20). Thus, every believer shares in the priestly anointing, called to holiness, service, and witness.

Practical Lessons for the Church

1. Holiness is not optional; mishchah’s severe restrictions remind the church that sacred calling demands separation from sin.
2. True ministry flows from the Spirit, not merely from ritual. The outward oil pointed to inward empowerment.
3. Stewards must guard doctrine and practice. Just as Eleazar kept the oil, elders today safeguard apostolic teaching.
4. Unity among believers is nourished by shared anointing (Psalm 133), fostering love and cooperative service.

Summary

Mishchah threads through the Pentateuch and beyond as a tangible sign of consecration, empowerment, and divine ownership. It sanctified sanctuary, priests, and offerings; it foreshadowed the Messiah; and it anticipates the Spirit’s work in the church. The anointing oil’s holiness, exclusivity, and permanence call God’s people in every age to live as those set apart by, and filled with, the Holy Spirit.

Forms and Transliterations
הַמִּשְׁחָ֑ה הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה הַמִּשְׁחָ֗ה הַמִּשְׁחָ֛ה הַמִּשְׁחָה֒ הַמִּשְׁחָה֙ המשחה וּמִשְׁחַ֣ת ומשחת לְמָשְׁחָ֛ה לְמָשְׁחָ֣ה למשחה מִשְׁחַ֤ת מִשְׁחַ֥ת מִשְׁחַ֧ת מִשְׁחַת־ מָשְׁחָתָ֛ם משחת משחת־ משחתם ham·miš·ḥāh hammišḥāh hammishChah lə·mā·šə·ḥāh ləmāšəḥāh lemasheChah mā·šə·ḥā·ṯām māšəḥāṯām mashechaTam miš·ḥaṯ miš·ḥaṯ- mišḥaṯ mišḥaṯ- mishchat ū·miš·ḥaṯ ūmišḥaṯ umishChat
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Exodus 25:6
HEB: בְּשָׂמִים֙ לְשֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה וְלִקְטֹ֖רֶת הַסַּמִּֽים׃
NAS: spices for the anointing oil
KJV: spices for anointing oil,
INT: spices oil the anointing incense the fragrant

Exodus 29:7
HEB: אֶת־ שֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה וְיָצַקְתָּ֖ עַל־
NAS: Then you shall take the anointing oil
KJV: Then shalt thou take the anointing oil,
INT: shall take oil the anointing and pour on

Exodus 29:21
HEB: הַמִּזְבֵּחַ֮ וּמִשֶּׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה֒ וְהִזֵּיתָ֤ עַֽל־
NAS: and some of the anointing oil,
KJV: that [is] upon the altar, and of the anointing oil,
INT: the altar oil of the anointing and sprinkle on

Exodus 29:29
HEB: לְבָנָ֖יו אַחֲרָ֑יו לְמָשְׁחָ֣ה בָהֶ֔ם וּלְמַלֵּא־
KJV: after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated
INT: his sons after to be anointed accomplish For

Exodus 30:25
HEB: אֹת֗וֹ שֶׁ֚מֶן מִשְׁחַת־ קֹ֔דֶשׁ רֹ֥קַח
NAS: of these a holy anointing oil,
KJV: of holy ointment, an ointment
INT: shall make oil anointing A holy A perfume

Exodus 30:25
HEB: רֹקֵ֑חַ שֶׁ֥מֶן מִשְׁחַת־ קֹ֖דֶשׁ יִהְיֶֽה׃
NAS: it shall be a holy anointing oil.
KJV: it shall be an holy anointing oil.
INT: of a perfumer oil anointing holy become

Exodus 30:31
HEB: לֵאמֹ֑ר שֶׁ֠מֶן מִשְׁחַת־ קֹ֨דֶשׁ יִהְיֶ֥ה
NAS: shall be a holy anointing oil
KJV: This shall be an holy anointing oil
INT: saying oil anointing holy become

Exodus 31:11
HEB: וְאֵ֨ת שֶׁ֧מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֛ה וְאֶת־ קְטֹ֥רֶת
NAS: the anointing oil
KJV: And the anointing oil, and sweet
INT: oil the anointing incense and the fragrant

Exodus 35:8
HEB: וּבְשָׂמִים֙ לְשֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה וְלִקְטֹ֖רֶת הַסַּמִּֽים׃
NAS: and spices for the anointing oil,
KJV: and spices for anointing oil,
INT: and spices oil the anointing incense the fragrant

Exodus 35:15
HEB: וְאֵת֙ שֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה וְאֵ֖ת קְטֹ֣רֶת
NAS: and its poles, and the anointing oil
KJV: and his staves, and the anointing oil,
INT: poles oil and the anointing incense and the fragrant

Exodus 35:28
HEB: לְמָא֕וֹר וּלְשֶׁ֙מֶן֙ הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה וְלִקְטֹ֖רֶת הַסַּמִּֽים׃
NAS: for the light and for the anointing oil
KJV: for the light, and for the anointing oil,
INT: the light oil the anointing incense the fragrant

Exodus 37:29
HEB: אֶת־ שֶׁ֤מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה֙ קֹ֔דֶשׁ וְאֶת־
NAS: the holy anointing oil
KJV: the holy anointing oil,
INT: made oil anointing the holy incense

Exodus 39:38
HEB: וְאֵת֙ שֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה וְאֵ֖ת קְטֹ֣רֶת
NAS: altar, and the anointing oil
KJV: altar, and the anointing oil,
INT: and the gold oil and the anointing incense and the fragrant

Exodus 40:9
HEB: אֶת־ שֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֥ אֶת־
NAS: Then you shall take the anointing oil
KJV: And thou shalt take the anointing oil,
INT: shall take oil the anointing and anoint the tabernacle

Exodus 40:15
HEB: לִהְיֹ֨ת לָהֶ֧ם מָשְׁחָתָ֛ם לִכְהֻנַּ֥ת עוֹלָ֖ם
NAS: that they may minister as priests to Me; and their anointing will qualify
KJV: that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting
INT: will qualify will qualify and their anointing priesthood A perpetual

Leviticus 7:35
HEB: זֹ֣את מִשְׁחַ֤ת אַהֲרֹן֙ וּמִשְׁחַ֣ת
NAS: This is that which is consecrated
KJV: This [is the portion] of the anointing of Aaron,
INT: is that which to Aaron is consecrated

Leviticus 7:35
HEB: מִשְׁחַ֤ת אַהֲרֹן֙ וּמִשְׁחַ֣ת בָּנָ֔יו מֵאִשֵּׁ֖י
NAS: is that which is consecrated to Aaron
KJV: of Aaron, and of the anointing of his sons,
INT: which to Aaron is consecrated to his sons the offerings

Leviticus 8:2
HEB: וְאֵ֖ת שֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֑ה וְאֵ֣ת ׀ פַּ֣ר
NAS: with him, and the garments and the anointing oil
KJV: with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil,
INT: and the garments oil and the anointing and the bull of the sin

Leviticus 8:10
HEB: אֶת־ שֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה וַיִּמְשַׁ֥ח אֶת־
NAS: then took the anointing oil
KJV: took the anointing oil,
INT: Moses oil the anointing and anointed the tabernacle

Leviticus 8:12
HEB: וַיִּצֹק֙ מִשֶּׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה עַ֖ל רֹ֣אשׁ
NAS: some of the anointing oil
KJV: And he poured of the anointing oil
INT: poured oil of the anointing and head

Leviticus 8:30
HEB: מֹשֶׁ֜ה מִשֶּׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֗ה וּמִן־ הַדָּם֮
NAS: some of the anointing oil
KJV: took of the anointing oil,
INT: Moses oil of the anointing some of the blood

Leviticus 10:7
HEB: כִּי־ שֶׁ֛מֶן מִשְׁחַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם
NAS: for the LORD'S anointing oil
KJV: lest ye die: for the anointing oil
INT: for oil anointing the LORD'S and

Leviticus 21:10
HEB: רֹאשׁ֣וֹ ׀ שֶׁ֤מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה֙ וּמִלֵּ֣א אֶת־
NAS: head the anointing oil
KJV: upon whose head the anointing oil
INT: head oil the anointing accomplish able

Leviticus 21:12
HEB: נֵ֠זֶר שֶׁ֣מֶן מִשְׁחַ֧ת אֱלֹהָ֛יו עָלָ֖יו
NAS: for the consecration of the anointing oil
KJV: for the crown of the anointing oil
INT: the consecration oil of the anointing of his God and

Numbers 4:16
HEB: הַתָּמִ֖יד וְשֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֑ה פְּקֻדַּ֗ת כָּל־
NAS: grain offering and the anointing oil--
KJV: meat offering, and the anointing oil,
INT: and the continual oil and the anointing the responsibility of all

26 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4888
26 Occurrences


ham·miš·ḥāh — 16 Occ.
lə·mā·šə·ḥāh — 2 Occ.
mā·šə·ḥā·ṯām — 1 Occ.
miš·ḥaṯ- — 6 Occ.
ū·miš·ḥaṯ — 1 Occ.

4887
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