Anointing in Consecration: Vessels of
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In the biblical tradition, anointing serves as a significant ritual act, symbolizing sanctification, dedication, and the impartation of divine favor. The anointing of vessels, particularly those used in the service of the Tabernacle and Temple, underscores their consecration for sacred purposes. This practice is rooted in the Old Testament and reflects the broader theological theme of holiness and separation unto God.

Biblical Foundation

The anointing of vessels is first detailed in the instructions given to Moses for the consecration of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. In Exodus 30:26-29 , God commands Moses: "With it you are to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the Ark of the Testimony, the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its utensils, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. You are to consecrate them so that they will be most holy. Whatever touches them will be holy."

This passage highlights the comprehensive nature of the anointing process, extending beyond the priests to include all elements associated with worship. The anointing oil, a sacred blend described earlier in Exodus 30, serves as the medium through which these items are set apart for divine service.

Theological Significance

The anointing of vessels signifies their transformation from common objects to holy instruments dedicated to God. This act of consecration is not merely symbolic but is believed to impart a measure of divine presence and sanctity. The vessels, once anointed, are no longer ordinary; they become integral to the worship and sacrificial system established by God.

The holiness imparted through anointing is so profound that anything coming into contact with these consecrated items is also rendered holy. This reflects the contagious nature of holiness in the Old Testament context, where proximity to the divine presence necessitates purity and sanctification.

Continuity and Fulfillment

The practice of anointing vessels finds continuity in the New Testament, where the concept of consecration is expanded to include the believers themselves as vessels of the Holy Spirit. In 2 Timothy 2:21 , Paul writes, "So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work." Here, the imagery of vessels is applied metaphorically to individuals who are set apart for God's purposes.

The anointing of vessels in the Old Testament foreshadows the anointing of believers in the New Testament, who are consecrated through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This spiritual anointing empowers believers to serve as instruments of God's will, much like the consecrated vessels of the Tabernacle and Temple.

Conclusion

The anointing of vessels in consecration is a profound biblical theme that underscores the importance of holiness and dedication in the service of God. Through this ritual act, ordinary objects are transformed into sacred instruments, reflecting the divine mandate for purity and sanctity in worship. This practice not only highlights the meticulous care with which God’s instructions were to be followed but also points to the broader theological truth of God's desire for holiness among His people and the things dedicated to His service.
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Exodus 30:27,28
And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense,
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Exodus 40:9,10
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.
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Leviticus 8:10,11
And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.
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Numbers 7:1
And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;
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Library

Whether this Sacrament Ought to be Celebrated in a House and with ...
... among the materials of the altar vessels, so are ... of praise to God." Hence the
consecration of the ... to be consecrated not merely with the anointing of chrism ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether this sacrament ought to 2.htm

Whether the Character is Imprinted on a Priest when the Chalice is ...
... at the mere imposition of hands and anointing. ... worship, wherefore the blessing suffices
for their consecration. ... body, the subdeacon on the vessels only, and ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the character is imprinted.htm

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... It consists of two parts: the consecration of the Tabernacle and its vessels by
the anointing oil which, when applied to inanimate objects, simply devoted them ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

Entire Sanctification in Type.
... "Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the ... The anointing oil was also to be applied
to the ear, the ... the toe of Aaron and his sons in their consecration to the ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iv entire sanctification in.htm

Of Orders.
... by the Fathers of the Church, such as the consecration of vessels, buildings, vestments ...
Thus the anointing of a man's hands, the shaving of his head, and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/luther/first principles of the reformation/of orders.htm

Whether the Ceremonies of the Old Law are Suitably Divided into ...
... written (Lev.7:35): "This is the anointing of Aaron ... sacred things," such as the
tabernacle, the vessels and so ... is effected by a sort of consecration either of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the ceremonies of the.htm

Princely Service.
... set up, both the tabernacle and the vessels needed anointing and ... place, and let there
be the anointing of the ... received by faith, as well as consecration to Him ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part iii princely service.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... should be consecrated with any bodily anointing, bodily sacrifices ... imitate; again,
a ram of consecration, which was ... to the ministry touching the vessels of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

Whether the New Law Made Sufficient Ordinations About External ...
... sanctification of a temple or of the vessels, or to ... the apostles healed the sick
by anointing them with ... grace is given: for instance, in the consecration of a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the new law made.htm

The First Miracle in Cana --The Water Made Wine
... of water in these six great vessels of stone ... Sometimes He used material vehicles,
anointing a man's eyes ... life by His presence; and the consecration, like some ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the first miracle in canathe.htm

Resources
What was the significance of anointing spices in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What was the significance of the anointed priest? | GotQuestions.org

What is grave sucking / grave soaking / mantle grabbing? | GotQuestions.org

Anointing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Anointing

Anointing in Consecration of High Priests

Anointing in Consecration of Kings

Anointing in Consecration of Priests

Anointing in Consecration of Prophets

Anointing in Consecration of the Tabernacle

Anointing in Consecration: Altars of

Anointing in Consecration: Cyrus

Anointing in Consecration: David

Anointing in Consecration: Hazael

Anointing in Consecration: Jacob's Pillar: At Beth-El

Anointing in Consecration: Jehoahaz

Anointing in Consecration: Jehu

Anointing in Consecration: Joash

Anointing in Consecration: Saul

Anointing in Consecration: Solomon

Anointing in Consecration: Vessels of

Anointing of Christ's Kingly and Priestly office

Anointing of Guests

Anointing of Jesus, As a Token of Love

Anointing of Spiritual Gifts

Anointing of the Body

Anointing of the Dead

Anointing of the Holy Spirit is Abiding in Saints

Anointing of the Holy Spirit is from God

Anointing of the Holy Spirit: God Preserves Those Who Receive

Anointing of the Holy Spirit: Guides Into all Truth

Anointing of the Holy Spirit: Saints Receive

Anointing of the Holy Spirit: That Christ should Receive: Foretold

Anointing of the Holy Spirit: That Christ should Receive: Fulfilled

Anointing of the Holy Spirit: Typified

Anointing of the Sick

Anointing Oil

Anointing Oil: Formula of, Given by Moses

Anointing was Applied to The Eyes

Anointing was Applied to The Face

Anointing was Applied to The Feet

Anointing was Applied to The Head

Anointing was Used for Curing the Sick

Anointing was Used for Decorating the Person

Anointing was Used for Healing Wounds

Anointing was Used for Preparing the Dead for Burial

Anointing was Used for Preparing Weapons for War

Anointing was Used for Purifying the Body

Anointing was Used for Refreshing the Body

Anointing was Used for The Jews Were Very Fond of

Anointing with Oil

Anointing with Ointment

Anointing: A Token of Joy

Anointing: Deprivation of, Threatened As a Punishment

Anointing: God Preserves Those Who Receive

Anointing: Neglect of, to Guests, a Mark of Disrespect

Anointing: Ointment For: An Article of Commerce

Anointing: Ointment For: Most Expensive

Anointing: Ointment For: Neglected in Times of Affliction

Anointing: Ointment For: Prepared by the Apothecary

Anointing: Ointment For: Richly Perfumed

Anointing: Omitted in Mourning

Anointing: Saints Receive

Anointing: Symbolical of Jesus

Anointing: Typified

Anointing: Why Recommended by Christ in Times of Fasting

Sacred Anointing: Antiquity of

Sacred Anointing: Consecrates to God's Service

Sacred Anointing: Illustrative of the Anointing of Christ With the Holy Spirit

Sacred Anointing: Illustrative of the Anointing of Saints With the Holy Spirit

Sacred Anointing: Oil or Ointment For: An Holy Anointing Oil for Ever

Sacred Anointing: Oil or Ointment For: Compounded by the Priests

Sacred Anointing: Oil or Ointment For: Divinely Prescribed

Sacred Anointing: Oil or Ointment For: Jews Condemned for Imitating

Sacred Anointing: Oil or Ointment For: Not to be Imitated

Sacred Anointing: Oil or Ointment For: To be Put on No Stranger

Sacred Anointing: Persons Who Received: Kings

Sacred Anointing: Persons Who Received: Priests

Sacred Anointing: Persons Who Received: Prophets

Sacred Anointing: Things Which Received: Brazen Altar

Sacred Anointing: Things Which Received: Brazen Laver

Sacred Anointing: Things Which Received: Tabernacle

Sacred Anointing: Those Who Partook of not to be Injured or Insulted

Sacred Anointing: Those Who Partook of Protected by God

Related Terms

Anointing-portion (1 Occurrence)

Anointing-oil (1 Occurrence)

Fragrant (30 Occurrences)

Drugs (8 Occurrences)

Anoint (59 Occurrences)

Ointment (29 Occurrences)

Spices (64 Occurrences)

Unction (2 Occurrences)

Consecrated (101 Occurrences)

Anointed (132 Occurrences)

Sweet (147 Occurrences)

Perfumer (4 Occurrences)

Blended (5 Occurrences)

Compounder (3 Occurrences)

Compound (3 Occurrences)

Anointeth (6 Occurrences)

Incense (167 Occurrences)

Spice (25 Occurrences)

Abstinence (2 Occurrences)

Sacred (140 Occurrences)

Office (64 Occurrences)

Priest's (75 Occurrences)

Lighting (9 Occurrences)

Iscariot (11 Occurrences)

Furnishings (22 Occurrences)

Falsehood (107 Occurrences)

Fire-offerings (18 Occurrences)

Teaches (24 Occurrences)

Teacheth (22 Occurrences)

Mixture (16 Occurrences)

Blend (2 Occurrences)

Cassia (3 Occurrences)

Cinnamon (4 Occurrences)

Compounded (2 Occurrences)

Continuing (24 Occurrences)

Counterfeit (3 Occurrences)

Allotted (54 Occurrences)

Apothecary (4 Occurrences)

Abideth (66 Occurrences)

Sanctifieth (21 Occurrences)

Spice-perfume (5 Occurrences)

Screen (26 Occurrences)

Oil (281 Occurrences)

Union (24 Occurrences)

Martha (12 Occurrences)

Fasting (34 Occurrences)

Perfume (202 Occurrences)

Poured (155 Occurrences)

Instruction (117 Occurrences)

Real (26 Occurrences)

Furniture (24 Occurrences)

Portion (227 Occurrences)

Sickness (40 Occurrences)

Remains (118 Occurrences)

Sprinkled (55 Occurrences)

Entrance (190 Occurrences)

Sanctified (105 Occurrences)

Presented (114 Occurrences)

Perpetual (57 Occurrences)

Opening (242 Occurrences)

Consecrate (65 Occurrences)

Therein (269 Occurrences)

Hanging (82 Occurrences)

Garments (232 Occurrences)

Fast (157 Occurrences)

Judas (42 Occurrences)

Doorway (221 Occurrences)

Sick (117 Occurrences)

Abide (162 Occurrences)

Covering (191 Occurrences)

Minister (150 Occurrences)

Generations (148 Occurrences)

Hallowed (86 Occurrences)

Hallow (69 Occurrences)

Olive (61 Occurrences)

Samuel (129 Occurrences)

Door (249 Occurrences)

Priest (500 Occurrences)

Anointing in Consecration: Solomon
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