Bible Dictionary
Anoint
To anoint means to apply oil, often as an act of consecration, honor, refreshment, healing, or preparation for burial. Kings, priests, and sometimes prophets were anointed, and Jesus is the promised Anointed One, the Messiah.
Definition
To anoint means to apply oil or another substance for consecration, honor, refreshment, healing, or burial. Anointing could designate a person or object for sacred use, and the term is especially associated with kings, priests, prophets, and the promised Deliverer.
Biblical Usage
High priests, kings, prophets, sacred vessels, and shields were anointed. Oil was used for hospitality, personal refreshment, treatment of the sick and wounded, and preparation of the dead. Jesus is identified as the promised Anointed One, or Messiah, anointed with the Holy Spirit.
Historical Background
Among the Hebrews, anointing was a familiar practice involving perfumed oil. Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him, while oil was also applied to leather shields to make them supple for war.
Scripture References
Exodus 29:29
Leviticus 4:3
Exodus 30:26
Leviticus 4:5
Leviticus 4:16
Psalms 132:10
1 Samuel 16:13
2 Samuel 2:4
1 Kings 19:16
1 Chronicles 16:22
Psalms 105:15
Isaiah 21:5
Luke 7:38
Luke 7:46
Deuteronomy 28:40
Ruth 3:3
2 Samuel 14:2
Psalms 104:15
Psalms 109:18
Isaiah 1:6
Mark 6:13
James 5:14
Mark 14:8
Luke 23:56
Psalms 2:2
Daniel 9:25
Daniel 9:26
Isaiah 61:1
Psalms 45:7
Hebrews 1:9
John 1:41
Acts 9:22
Acts 17:2
Acts 17:3
Acts 18:5
Acts 18:28
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews. (1.) The act of anointing was significant of consecration to a holy or sacred use; hence the anointing of the high priest (Ex. 29:29; Lev. 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Ex. 30:26). The high priest and the king are thus called “the anointed” (Lev. 4:3, 5, 16; 6:20; Ps. 132:10). Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him (1 Sam. 16:13; 2 Sam. 2:4, etc.). Prophets were also anointed (1 Kings 19:16; 1 Chr. 16:22; Ps. 105:15). The expression, “anoint the shield” (Isa. 21:5), refers to the custom of rubbing oil on the leather of the shield so as to make it supple and fit for use in war. (2.) Anointing was also an act of hospitality (Luke 7:38, 46). It was the custom of the Jews in like manner to anoint themselves with oil, as a means of refreshing or invigorating their bodies (Deut. 28:40; Ruth 3:3; 2 Sam. 14:2; Ps. 104:15, etc.). This custom is continued among the Arabians to the present day. (3.) Oil was used also for medicinal purposes. It was applied to the sick, and also to wounds (Ps. 109:18; Isa. 1:6; Mark 6:13; James 5:14). (4.) The bodies of the dead were sometimes anointed (Mark 14:8; Luke 23:56). (5.) The promised Deliverer is twice called the “Anointed” or Messiah (Ps. 2:2; Dan. 9:25, 26), because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost (Isa. 61:1), figuratively styled the “oil of gladness” (Ps. 45:7; Heb. 1:9). Jesus of Nazareth is this anointed One (John 1:41; Acts 9:22; 17:2, 3; 18:5, 28), the Messiah of the Old Testament.