The practice of anointing the body holds significant spiritual and symbolic meaning throughout the Bible, serving as a physical act that conveys divine favor, consecration, healing, and preparation for burial. Anointing with oil is a ritual that has been employed in various contexts, from religious ceremonies to personal grooming, and it is deeply embedded in the cultural and religious life of the biblical world.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, anointing is primarily associated with the consecration of priests, kings, and sacred objects. The anointing oil, often a mixture of olive oil and spices, was used to set apart individuals and items for God's service. Exodus 30:25-30 describes the sacred anointing oil and its use: "Prepare from these a holy anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a holy anointing oil. Use this oil 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. Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them to serve Me as priests."

The anointing of kings is another significant aspect, as seen in the anointing of Saul (1 Samuel 10:1) and David (1 Samuel 16:13). This act symbolized God's choice and empowerment of a leader. The anointing of David is particularly noteworthy: "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" (1 Samuel 16:13).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, anointing takes on additional dimensions, particularly in the ministry of Jesus Christ and the early Church. Jesus Himself was anointed by God, as Peter declares in Acts 10:38: "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him."

Anointing is also associated with healing and the care of the sick. James 5:14-15 instructs believers: "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. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven."

Furthermore, anointing is linked to the preparation of Jesus' body for burial, as seen in the actions of Mary of Bethany. In John 12:3, Mary anoints Jesus' feet with costly perfume, an act that Jesus interprets as preparation for His burial (John 12:7).

Symbolic and Spiritual Significance

Anointing in the biblical context is rich with symbolic meaning. It signifies the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, as seen in the anointing of Jesus and the empowerment of believers. It also represents purification, healing, and the setting apart of individuals for God's purposes. The act of anointing serves as a tangible expression of God's blessing and favor, marking the anointed as chosen and protected by the Lord.

Throughout Scripture, anointing is a profound act that underscores the relationship between God and His people, highlighting themes of consecration, healing, and divine appointment. It remains a powerful symbol of God's presence and work in the lives of believers.Deuteronomy 28:40
You shall have olive trees throughout all your coasts, but you shall not anoint yourself with the oil; for your olive shall cast his fruit.
Nave's Topical Index

Ruth 3:3
Wash yourself therefore, and anoint you, and put your raiment on you, and get you down to the floor: but make not yourself known to the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
Nave's Topical Index

Esther 2:12
Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 92:10
But my horn shall you exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 104:15
And wine that makes glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengthens man's heart.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 141:5
Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
Nave's Topical Index

Proverbs 27:9,16
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so does the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
Nave's Topical Index

Ecclesiastes 9:8
Let your garments be always white; and let your head lack no ointment.
Nave's Topical Index

Songs 1:3
Because of the smell of your good ointments your name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love you.
Nave's Topical Index

Songs 4:10
How fair is your love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is your love than wine! and the smell of your ointments than all spices!
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 57:9
And you went to the king with ointment, and did increase your perfumes, and did send your messengers far off, and did debase yourself even to hell.
Nave's Topical Index

Amos 6:6
That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.
Nave's Topical Index

Micah 6:15
You shall sow, but you shall not reap; you shall tread the olives, but you shall not anoint you with oil; and sweet wine, but shall not drink wine.
Nave's Topical Index

218. aleipho -- anoint.
... 218 () is the ordinary term used for anointing the body with (olive) oil.
Anointing brought and and hence became synonymous with (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/218.htm - 7k

Whether the Character is Imprinted on a Priest when the Chalice is ...
... the anointing they are consecrated for the purpose of handling the sacrament, wherefore
the anointing is done to the priests alone who touch the body of Christ ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the character is imprinted.htm

Against Embellishing the Body.
... the eldest of his sons to be fair and tall, produced the anointing oil, being ... If,
then, the Lord counts the natural beauty of the body inferior to that of the ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii against embellishing the body.htm

Concerning Christ's Two Natures, in Opposition to those who Hold ...
... For in His own person He anointed Himself; as God anointing His body with His own
divinity, and as Man being anointed. For He is Himself both God and Man. ...
/.../exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter iii concerning christs two natures.htm

The Coming of the King to his Palace
... Some sense of His approaching death tinged the modest festivities of that evening
with sadness, and spoke in Mary's 'anointing of His body for the burying ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the coming of the king.htm

Jesus' Friendships after He Arose.
... the dawn of the first day morning she was again one of those who hurried through
the darkness to the tomb, with spices for the anointing of the body"last at ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter xiv jesus friendships after.htm

Proofs that the Union was Without Confusion.
... And although the Godhead and the Spirit were present as an anointing, the body and
the soul were not then supported either by the Godhead united to them or by ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/proofs that the union was.htm

The Holy Spirit and the Believer's Body.
... call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with ...
for our full place as sons manifested in the redemption of our body (Romans 8 ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter xix the holy spirit.htm

Anointed for Burial.
... Christ interposed with authority and silenced them, adding a commendation, saying,
"She has anticipated the hour of my decease; anointing my body before death ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/anointed for burial.htm

The Thirteenth Proposition. Concerning the Communion, or ...
... The communion, of the body and blood of Christ is inward and spiritual, [19 ... strangled
and from blood; the washing one another's feet; and the anointing of the ...
/.../the thirteenth proposition concerning the.htm

Whether this is the Form of this Sacrament: "This is My Body," and ...
... consists in transubstantiation, as when it is said, "This is My body," or, "This
is ... in the sacrament of Extreme Unction it is said, "By this anointing and our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether this is the form.htm

What is the new anointing? | GotQuestions.org

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

What is the anointing? What does it mean to be anointed? | GotQuestions.org

Anointing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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