Anointing oil holds significant importance in 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 practices of ancient Israel and carries forward into Christian symbolism and practice.

Biblical Origins and Composition

The first mention of anointing oil is found in the book of Exodus, where God provides Moses with a specific recipe for its preparation. In Exodus 30:22-25 , the LORD instructs Moses: "Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 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 holy anointing oil."

This sacred mixture was to be used exclusively for consecrating the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests. The anointing oil was not to be replicated for personal use, as stated in Exodus 30:32-33 : "It must not be poured on the bodies of ordinary men, and you must not make anything with this same formula. It is holy, and it must be holy to you. Anyone who mixes perfume like it or puts it on an outsider shall be cut off from his people."

Symbolism and Purpose

Anointing oil symbolizes the setting apart of individuals or objects for God's purposes. It signifies holiness, divine approval, and empowerment by the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, prophets, priests, and kings were anointed with oil as a sign of their divine appointment. For instance, Samuel anointed David as king over Israel, as recorded in 1 Samuel 16:13 : "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward."

The anointing oil also represents healing and restoration. In James 5:14 , the New Testament church is instructed: "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."

Anointing in the Life of Jesus

The life and ministry of Jesus Christ are closely associated with anointing. The title "Christ" itself means "Anointed One." Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit at His baptism, as described in Matthew 3:16 : "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him."

Furthermore, Jesus was anointed by Mary of Bethany in a profound act of worship and preparation for His burial, as recorded in John 12:3 : "Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume."

Contemporary Christian Practice

In contemporary Christian practice, anointing oil is used in various sacramental and symbolic ways. It is often employed in healing services, ordinations, and dedications. The oil serves as a tangible reminder of God's presence and the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers.

Anointing oil continues to be a powerful symbol of God's grace, consecration, and the believer's call to live a life set apart for His glory.James 5:14
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
Topicalbible.org

Luke 7:46
My head with oil you did not anoint: but this woman has anointed my feet with ointment.
Topicalbible.org

2 Kings 9:6
And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said to him, Thus said the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed you king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel.
Topicalbible.org

2 Kings 9:3
Then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus said the LORD, I have anointed you king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not.
Topicalbible.org

1 Samuel 10:1
Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it on his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD has anointed you to be captain over his inheritance?
Topicalbible.org

Exodus 40:9
And you shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shall hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.
Topicalbible.org

Exodus 30:30
And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to me in the priest's office.
Topicalbible.org

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 - 7k

218. aleipho -- anoint.
... 218 () is the ordinary term used for anointing the body with (olive) oil. ... ["Anointing"
(218 ) usually applied olive oil on the , to a guest. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/218.htm - 7k

5545. chrisma -- an anointing, unction
... Phonetic Spelling: (khris'-mah) Short Definition: an anointing Definition: an anointing.
Cognate: 5545 (from 5548 , "anoint with oil") -- , referring to the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5545.htm - 7k

5548. chrio -- to anoint
... Anointing (literally) involved rubbing olive oil on the head, etc., especially to
present someone as (appointed by God) to serve as prophet, priest or king, etc ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5548.htm - 7k

218b. aleipho -- to anoint
... Word Origin from the same root as lipos (fat, oil) Definition to anoint NASB Word
Usage anoint (3), anointed (3), anointing (3). 218a, 218b. aleipho. 219 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/218b.htm - 5k

4887. 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

8081. shemen -- fat, oil
... shaman; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively,
richness -- anointing, X fat (things), X fruitful, oil((-ed)), ointment ...
/hebrew/8081.htm - 6k

3323. yitshar -- fresh oil
... anointed oil. From tsahar; oil (as producing light); figuratively, anointing -- +
anointed oil. see HEBREW tsahar. 3322, 3323. yitshar. 3324 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/3323.htm - 6k

5480. cuwk -- to pour (in anointing), anoint
... to pour (in anointing), anoint. Transliteration: cuwk Phonetic Spelling: (sook)
Short Definition ... A primitive root; properly, to smear over (with oil), ie Anoint ...
/hebrew/5480.htm - 5k

4886. mashach -- to smear, anoint
... root Definition to smear, anoint NASB Word Usage anoint (21), anointed (42),
anointing (1), oil (1), painting (1), spread (4). anoint, paint. ...
/hebrew/4886.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
... 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 Lord is upon you. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/strange fire.htm

Whether the Oil Ought to be Consecrated?
... say that this sacrament consists in the anointing itself, just as Baptism consists
in the washing, and that the matter of this sacrament is consecrated oil. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the oil ought to.htm

The Name Jesus and Also the Name Christ were Known from the ...
... a priest of the most high God, [64] not consecrated by any anointing oil, especially
prepared, and not even belonging by descent to the priesthood of the Jews. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iii the name jesus and.htm

Whether Olive Oil is a Suitable Matter for this Sacrament?
... Further, spiritual healing is signified by anointing with oil, as is evident from
Is.1:6 where we read: " . . . swelling sores: they are not . . . ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether olive oil is a.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

What is extreme unction / last rites? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the olive tree in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Gideon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Anointing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus