Reference: Anoint
Easton
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; Le 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Ex 30:26). The high priest and the king are thus called "the anointed" (Le 4:3,5,16; 6:20; Ps 132:10). Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him (1Sa 16:13; 2Sa 2:4, etc.). Prophets were also anointed (1Ki 19:16; 1Ch 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 (Lu 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 (De 28:40; Ru 3:3; 2Sa 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; Mr 6:13; Jas 5:14).
(4.) The bodies of the dead were sometimes anointed (Mr 14:8; Lu 23:56).
(5.) The promised Deliverer is twice called the "Anointed" or Messiah (Ps 2:2; Da 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 (Joh 1:41; Ac 9:22; 17:2-3; 18:5,28), the Messiah of the Old Testament.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
and they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many sick persons, and healed them.
She hath done what she could; she hath anointed my body beforehand for its burial.
and standing behind at his feet, weeping, began to wet his feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but she anointed my feet with costly ointment.
And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and on the sabbath they rested, according to the commandment.
He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith to him, We have found the Messiah; (which is, when interpreted, the Christ.)
But Saul gained still more strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
And Paul, as his custom was, went in among them, and for three sabbaths discoursed to them out of the Scriptures, explaining them, and setting forth that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead, and that "this is the Christ,Jesus whom I am making known to you."
And when both Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was wholly engaged in the word, testifying to the Jews, that Jesus was the Christ.
For he publicly confuted the Jews, with power, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
Thou lovedst righteousness, and hatedst iniquity; therefore God, thy God, anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."
Is any sick among you? let him call to him the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
Fausets
To put oil on the head or body; a practice common in the E. (Ru 3:3). To cease anointing was a mark of mourning (2Sa 14:2; Da 10:3; Mt 6:17). A mark of respect to a guest so common that to omit it implied defective hospitality (Lu 7:46; Ps 23:5); Heb., "Thou hast made fat," or "unctuous" (Joh 11:2; 12:3). A body was prepared for burial with unguents (Mr 16:1; 14:8). Metaphorically, "anointed with oil" means successful, joyous (Ps 92:10; Ec 9:8). "Anointing with the oiler gladness" (Ps 45:7; Heb 1:9) expresses spiritual joy, such as Messiah felt and shall feel in seeing the blessed fruit of His sufferings (Isa 61:3). Anointing prevents excessive perspiration in the hot and arid E., gives elasticity to the limbs, and acts as clothing in both sun and shade.
The ordinary clothing is thin, and the heat and sand produce weariness and irritation, which the oil relieves. Oil was used as a medicament for the sick, and liniment for bodily pain (Isa 1:6), so that it was used as a symbol in miraculous cures (Mr 6:13). The usage which Christ practiced Himself (Joh 9:6,11) and committed to His apostles was afterward continued with laying on of hands as a token of the highest faculty of medicine in the church. Rome vainly continues the sign, when the reality, the power of miraculous healing, is wanting. Rome's "extreme unction" is administered to heal the soul when the body's life is despaired of. James's (Jas 5:14-15) unction was to heal the body. The sacred use of oil was for consecrating things or persons to God. So Jacob anointed for a pillar the stone which had been his pillow at Bethel (Ge 28:18).
The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, and as applied to things gave them a ceremonial sacredness, fitting them for holy ministrations. As applied to prophets (1Ch 16:22; 1Ki 19:16), priests (Le 4:3), and kings (Isa 45:1), it marked their consecration to the office, and was a symbol of the spiritual qualification divinely imparted for its due discharge (Ex 30:29-30). 1Sa 10:1,6: King Saul. 1Sa 16:13-14; David thrice anointed: first to the right; then over Judah; then actually over the whole nation. Isa 61:1; Messiah, twice so designated in the Old Testament (Ps 2:2; Da 9:25-26), at once Prophet, Priest, and King, the Center of all prophecy, the Antitype of all priesthood, and the Source and End of all kingship (Lu 4:18; Ac 4:27; 10:38). He was anointed with the Holy Spirit from the womb, then at His baptism (Joh 1:32-41).
Hereby the New Testament marks Him as the Messiah of the Old Testament (Ac 9:22; 17:2-3; 18:5,28.) What He is His people are, Messiahs or "anointed ones" by union with Him (Zec 4:14), having the unction of the Holy Spirit (2Co 1:21; 1Jo 2:20). Though priests in general were at first anointed, afterward anointing was restricted to the high priest, called "the priest that is anointed:" the perfume used was of stacte, onycha, and galbanum, with pure frankincense, and it was death to imitate it. Antitypically, to Christ, the true high priest alone, belongs the fullness of the Spirit, which it is blasphemy to arrogate.
The Lord's anointed was the ordinary phrase for the theocratic king (1Sa 12:3; La 4:20). "Anointing the shield" was to make the hide of which it was made supple and less liable to crack (Isa 21:5). "Anointing the eyes with eyesalve" expresses imparting of spiritual perceptions (Re 3:18). "The yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing" (Isa 10:27), i.e., the Assyrian oppression shall be taken away from Judah, because of the consecration that is upon the elect nation, its prophets, priests, kings, and holy place (Ps 105:15); the Antitype to all which is Messiah, "the Anointed" (Da 9:24). It is for Messiah's sake that all their deliverances are vouchsafed to His people.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
But do thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;
But do thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;
and they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many sick persons, and healed them.
and they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many sick persons, and healed them.
She hath done what she could; she hath anointed my body beforehand for its burial.
She hath done what she could; she hath anointed my body beforehand for its burial.
And when the sabbath was past, Mary the Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.
And when the sabbath was past, Mary the Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to preach glad tidings to the poor; he hath sent me to proclaim deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty the oppressed,
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to preach glad tidings to the poor; he hath sent me to proclaim deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty the oppressed,
My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but she anointed my feet with costly ointment.
My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but she anointed my feet with costly ointment.
And John bore witness, saying, I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove from heaven, and it abode upon him.
And John bore witness, saying, I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove from heaven, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not; but he who sent me to baptize in water, the same said to me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding on him, he it is that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit.
And I knew him not; but he who sent me to baptize in water, the same said to me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding on him, he it is that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and have borne witness, that this is the Son of God.
And I have seen and have borne witness, that this is the Son of God. On the morrow John was again standing, and two of his disciples;
On the morrow John was again standing, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he was walking, he saith, Behold, the Lamb of God!
and looking upon Jesus as he was walking, he saith, Behold, the Lamb of God! The two disciples heard him speaking, and they followed Jesus.
The two disciples heard him speaking, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turning and seeing them following, saith to them, What seek ye? And they said to him, Rabbi, (that is to say, when interpreted, Teacher,) where dost thou dwell?
Jesus turning and seeing them following, saith to them, What seek ye? And they said to him, Rabbi, (that is to say, when interpreted, Teacher,) where dost thou dwell? He saith to them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he dwelt; and they abode with him that day. It was about the tenth hour.
He saith to them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he dwelt; and they abode with him that day. It was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard what John said, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peters brother.
One of the two who heard what John said, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peters brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith to him, We have found the Messiah; (which is, when interpreted, the Christ.)
He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith to him, We have found the Messiah; (which is, when interpreted, the Christ.)
Having thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay with the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay,
Having thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay with the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay,
He answered, The man who is called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes, and said to me, Go to Siloam, and wash. I went therefore and washed, and received sight.
He answered, The man who is called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes, and said to me, Go to Siloam, and wash. I went therefore and washed, and received sight.
It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
Then Mary, taking a pound of ointment of pure spikenard, very costly, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
Then Mary, taking a pound of ointment of pure spikenard, very costly, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
For in truth against thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, did both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the gentiles, and the peoples of Israel, assemble in this city,
For in truth against thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, did both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the gentiles, and the peoples of Israel, assemble in this city,
But Saul gained still more strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
But Saul gained still more strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
relating to Jesus of Nazareth, that God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were overpowered by the Devil; for God was with him.
relating to Jesus of Nazareth, that God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were overpowered by the Devil; for God was with him.
And Paul, as his custom was, went in among them, and for three sabbaths discoursed to them out of the Scriptures,
And Paul, as his custom was, went in among them, and for three sabbaths discoursed to them out of the Scriptures, explaining them, and setting forth that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead, and that "this is the Christ,Jesus whom I am making known to you."
explaining them, and setting forth that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead, and that "this is the Christ,Jesus whom I am making known to you."
And when both Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was wholly engaged in the word, testifying to the Jews, that Jesus was the Christ.
And when both Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was wholly engaged in the word, testifying to the Jews, that Jesus was the Christ.
For he publicly confuted the Jews, with power, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
For he publicly confuted the Jews, with power, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
Now he who maketh us with you steadfast in Christ, and anointed us, is God;
Now he who maketh us with you steadfast in Christ, and anointed us, is God;
Thou lovedst righteousness, and hatedst iniquity; therefore God, thy God, anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."
Thou lovedst righteousness, and hatedst iniquity; therefore God, thy God, anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."
Is any sick among you? let him call to him the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
Is any sick among you? let him call to him the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; even if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him.
And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; even if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him.
I advise thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayst be rich; and white garments, that thou mayst be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not be made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayst see.
I advise thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayst be rich; and white garments, that thou mayst be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not be made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayst see.
Watsons
ANOINT, to pour oil upon, Ge 28:18; 31:13. The setting up of a stone and anointing it by Jacob, as here recorded, in grateful memory of his celestial vision, probably became the occasion of idolatry, in succeeding ages, and gave rise to the erection of temples composed of shapeless masses of unhewn stone, of which so many astonishing remains are scattered up and down the Asiatic and the European world.
Under the law, persons and things set apart for sacred purposes were anointed with the holy oil; which appears to have been a typical representation of the communication of the Holy Ghost to Christ and to his church. See Ex 28:29. Hence the Holy Spirit is called an unction or anointing, 1Jo 2:20,27; and our Lord is called the "Messiah," or "Anointed One," to denote his being called to the offices of mediator, prophet, priest, and king, to all of which he was consecrated by the anointing of the Holy Ghost, Mt 3:16-17.
When we hear of the anointing of the Jewish kings, we are to understand by it the same as their inauguration; inasmuch as anointing was the principal ceremony on such an occasion, 2Sa 2:4; 5:3. As far as we are informed, however, unction, as a sign of investiture with the royal authority, was bestowed only upon Saul and David, and subsequently upon Solomon and Joash, who ascended the throne under such circumstances, that there was danger of their right to the succession being forcibly disputed, 1Sa 10:24; 2Sa 2:4; 5:1-3; 1Ch 11:1-2; 2-Kings/11/210/type/noyes'>2Ki 11:210; 2 Chronicles 23:1-21. The ceremony of regal anointing needed not to be repeated in every instance of succession to the throne, because the unction which the first one who held the sceptre in any particular line of princes had received was supposed to suffice for the succeeding incumbents in the same descent.
In the kingdom of Israel, those who were inducted into the royal office appear to have been inaugurated with some additional ceremonies, 2Ki 9:13. The private anointings, which we learn to have been performed by the prophets, 2Ki 9:3, comp. 1Sa 10:1; 16:1-13, were only prophetic symbols or intimations that the persons who were thus anointed should eventually receive the kingdom.
The holy anointing oil which was made by Moses, Ex 30:22-23, for the maintaining and consecrating of the king, the high priest, and all the sacred vessels made use of in the house of God, was one of those things, as Dr. Prideaux observes, which was wanting in the second temple. The oil made and consecrated for this use was commanded to be kept by the children of Israel, throughout their generations, and therefore it was laid up in the most holy place of the tabernacle and the first temple.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And Jesus, as soon as he was baptized, went up from the water; and, lo! the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God, descending like a dove, coming upon him. And lo! a voice from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and know all things.
And the anointing which ye yourselves received from him abideth in you, and ye have no need that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is truth, and is not a lie, even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.