Anointing oil holds significant importance throughout the biblical narrative, serving as a symbol of consecration, sanctification, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Its use is deeply rooted in the traditions and religious practices of ancient Israel and extends into the New Testament, reflecting its enduring spiritual significance.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, anointing oil is first introduced in the context of the consecration of the tabernacle and its furnishings, as well as the ordination of priests. The LORD commanded Moses to prepare a sacred anointing oil, as described in Exodus 30:22-25 : "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. Prepare from these a holy anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a sacred anointing oil.'"

This oil was used to anoint the tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand (Exodus 30:26-29). The anointing sanctified these objects, setting them apart for divine service.

The anointing oil was also used to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests, marking them as holy and dedicated to the LORD's service (Exodus 30:30). This act of anointing signified the impartation of God's Spirit and authority upon the priests, enabling them to perform their sacred duties.

Anointing of Kings and Prophets

Anointing oil was also employed in the consecration of kings and prophets. The prophet Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of Israel, as recorded in 1 Samuel 10:1 : "Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, 'Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?'" Similarly, David was anointed by Samuel to succeed Saul as king (1 Samuel 16:13), and Solomon was anointed by Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet (1 Kings 1:39).

The anointing of kings symbolized their divine appointment and empowerment to lead the people of Israel. It was a physical manifestation of God's choice and blessing, setting the king apart for his role as the leader of God's chosen nation.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Anointing oil in the Old Testament is rich with symbolism. It represents the Holy Spirit's presence and power, as seen in the anointing of individuals for specific roles and tasks. The oil's fragrance and composition, crafted from the finest spices, signify the beauty and holiness of God's presence.

The act of anointing also symbolizes healing and restoration. In Psalm 23:5 , David writes, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." Here, the anointing oil is a metaphor for God's blessing and abundance, providing comfort and assurance.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, anointing oil continues to hold spiritual significance. Jesus Christ, the Anointed One (Messiah), fulfills the Old Testament symbolism of anointing. In Luke 4:18 , Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah, declaring, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed."

The early church also practiced anointing with oil for healing and prayer. James 5:14 instructs, "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord." This practice underscores the continued belief in the power of anointing as a means of invoking God's healing and presence.

Conclusion

Anointing oil, throughout the biblical narrative, serves as a profound symbol of consecration, divine appointment, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Its use in both the Old and New Testaments highlights its enduring significance in the life of God's people, marking individuals and objects as set apart for His purposes.3464. muron -- ointment
... ointment. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: muron Phonetic Spelling:
(moo'-ron) Short Definition: anointing-oil, ointment Definition: anointing-oil ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3464.htm - 7k4887. meshach -- oil
... oil. Word Origin (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to mashach Definition
oil NASB Word Usage anointing oil (1), oil (1). oil. (Aramaic ...
/hebrew/4887.htm - 6k

Thirtieth Day. The Unction from the Holy One.
... In the priests themselves, the holy anointing oil was the one great symbol
of the grace that made holy. Moses was to make an holy ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/murray/holy in christ/thirtieth day the unction from.htm

Inviolable Messiahs and Prophets
... upon a wider one, so a wider one has succeeded it; and we step into the position
occupied by these patriarchs"on whose heads no anointing oil had been poured ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/inviolable messiahs and prophets.htm

Entire Sanctification in Type.
... the Sanctifier, and to be filled with the Spirit is designated by the Apostle John
as "the unction" or "the anointing." The holy anointing oil was to be ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iv entire sanctification in.htm

Consecration and Dedication
... were now holy, would not have been sufficient without the careful observance of
the application of the blood of animals and the holy anointing oil, which were ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter iii consecration and dedication.htm

Strange Fire
... burning which the Lord hath kindled.7. And ye shall not go out from the door of
the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/strange fire.htm

The Name Jesus and Also the Name Christ were Known from the ...
... But this Melchizedec is introduced in the Holy Scriptures as a priest of the most
high God, [64] not consecrated by any anointing oil, especially prepared, and ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iii the name jesus and.htm

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... water therein.8. And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging
at the court gate.9. And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

Anointed for Burial.
... It was the costliest anointing oil of antiquity, and was sold throughout the Roman
Empire, where it fetched a price that put it beyond any but the wealthy. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/anointed for burial.htm

God the Holy Spirit the Love which Dwells in the Heart.
... The anointing oil represents the Holy Spirit, who, being poured out upon the head
of Christ, flows down from Him upon all who belong to His glorious, mystical ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xx god the holy spirit.htm

David's Cry for Purity
... and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.' The divine influence which came
on the towering head of the son of Kish, through the anointing oil that Samuel ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/davids cry for purity.htm

Anointing-oil (1 Occurrence)
Anointing-oil. Anointing, Anointing-oil. Anointing-portion .
Multi-Version Concordance Anointing-oil (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/anointing-oil.htm - 6k

Fragrant (30 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 25:6 oil for the light; spices for the anointingoil,
and for the incense of fragrant drugs; (DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/fragrant.htm - 16k

Drugs (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Drugs (8 Occurrences). Exodus 25:6 oil for the light;
spices for the anointingoil, and for the incense of fragrant drugs; (DBY). ...
/d/drugs.htm - 8k

Spices (64 Occurrences)
... They were used in the sacred anointingoil (Exodus 25:6; 35:8; 1 Chronicles 9:29),
and in embalming the dead (2 Chronicles 16:14; Luke 23:56; 24:1; John 19:39 ...
/s/spices.htm - 32k

Anointing (39 Occurrences)
... and vessels, the altar and laver, and the priest, that being thus consecrated, they
might be "most holy." It was to be "a holy anointingoil" unto Yahweh ...
/a/anointing.htm - 28k

Ointment (29 Occurrences)
... The composition of the holy anointingoil used in the tabernacle worship
is mentioned in Exodus 30:23-25. Olive oil formed the base. ...
/o/ointment.htm - 18k

Sweet (147 Occurrences)
... RSV NIV). Exodus 25:6 oil for the light, spices for the anointingoil and
for the sweet incense, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS). Exodus 29 ...
/s/sweet.htm - 40k

Perfumer (4 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:25 You shall make it a holy anointingoil, a perfume compounded after
the art of the perfumer: it shall be a holy anointingoil. ...
/p/perfumer.htm - 11k

Blended (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:25 You shall make it a holy anointingoil, a perfume compounded after
the art of the perfumer: it shall be a holy anointingoil. (See RSV). ...
/b/blended.htm - 7k

Compounder (3 Occurrences)
... Compounder (3 Occurrences). Exodus 30:25 and thou hast made it a holy anointing
oil, a compound mixture, work of a compounder; it is a holy anointingoil. (YLT) ...
/c/compounder.htm - 7k

What does the Bible say about anointing oil? | GotQuestions.org

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