Understanding “Anointing Oil”

Anointing, or the pouring of oil on a person’s head, was a common practice in Biblical times.  A guest in a home was anointed as an act of hospitality, honor and esteem, and partly to moisten the skin after the visitor had been exposed to the hot and dry climate.

Anointing was also a distinct religious rite among the Jewish people. A person was sometimes anointed to set him apart (sanctify) for a particular work or service.  Saul was anointed when Israel demanded a king (1 Samuel 8:4-22; 10:1).  Samuel anointed David as king (1 Samuel 16:1-13), and Solomon was also anointed as David’s successor (1 Kings 1:39). During an anointing, the person customarily knelt while the oil was poured over their head.

These kings, called “anointed one”, were anointed by prophets acting on God’s behalf. They ruled as God’s representatives to the people and were to rely on God’s wisdom as leaders and rulers.

There was also “Holy” anointing oil used as an ointment by priest to sanctify and consecrate the tabernacle and its sacred vessels (Exodus 30:22-33). Anointed oils usually were combinations of olive oil, myrrh, cinnamon, and other spices.

Jesus Christ (the Messiah – the Anointed, Commissioned One) was God’s “anointed one”, who had been foretold by the prophets would be anointed by God (Psalm 45:7; Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:16-21; Acts 10:36-38).  A woman (Mary) poured very costly oil of spikenard (perfume) on Jesus’ head as an anointing before His death (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8).

Anointing also refers to a spiritual process in which the Holy Spirit empowers a believer’s heart and mind with God’s truth and love (1 John 2:20, 27).  The apostle Paul declared that all followers of Christ are anointed as God’s very own and set apart to His services. On the Day of Pentecost, after Jesus’ ascension, the disciples were anointed for special service in a great outpouring of His Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49-53; Acts 1:8, 9 & 2:1-4).  Just think, that same anointing resides in you (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22; Romans 8:6-11)!

Anointing oil was also frequently used in connection with healing. Jesus’ disciples anointed the sick with oil (Mark 6:7-13), and James instructed the elders of the church to pray over the sick, anointing them with oil in the Name of the Lord (James 5:13-15).

Finally, the practice of “anointing with oil” is symbolic of applying our faith in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit for God’s protection, deliverance, and healing; and in conjunction with our prayers during times of consecration, sanctification, and fasting (Matthew 6:16-18; 25:1-13; Isaiah 58:1-9; Exodus 12:3-13 – similar to applying the blood of the lamb for protection during the Passover).  It is Jesus Christ alone who does the miracles and answers our prayers – not the anointing oil; but it is a point of contact as an act of our faith!