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.
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And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
She has done what she could: she has embalmed my body beforehand against the burial.
brought an alabaster-box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind Him, weeping, and washed his feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Thou didst not anoint my head with common oil, but she hath anointed even my feet with sweet ointment.
but returned and prepared spices and perfumes; and then rested on the sabbath-day, according to the commandment.
He first meeteth with his own brother Simon, and telleth him, "We have found the Messiah, which is to say, the Christ."
But Saul prevailed more and more, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, fully proving that this same Jesus is the Christ.
And according to his custom Paul went in among them, and for three sabbath-days discoursed to them from the scriptures; opening them and shewing, that the Messiah was to suffer and rise again from the dead: and that this is the Christ even, Jesus, whom, said he, I preach unto you.
And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was very urgent in spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.
For he disputed vehemently with the Jews in public, proving by the scriptures, that Jesus was the Christ.
thou lovest righteousness and hatest iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thine associates."
Is any sick among you? let him call for 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.
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But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head and wash thy face;
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head and wash thy face;
And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
She has done what she could: she has embalmed my body beforehand against the burial.
She has done what she could: she has embalmed my body beforehand against the burial.
And when the sabbath was past Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices in order to come and embalm Him:
And when the sabbath was past Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices in order to come and embalm Him:
"The spirit of the Lord is upon me to the end, for which He hath anointed me: He hath sent me to publish good tidings to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to release them that are bruised,
"The spirit of the Lord is upon me to the end, for which He hath anointed me: He hath sent me to publish good tidings to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to release them that are bruised,
Thou didst not anoint my head with common oil, but she hath anointed even my feet with sweet ointment.
Thou didst not anoint my head with common oil, but she hath anointed even my feet with sweet ointment.
And John testified saying, I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it abode upon Him.
And John testified saying, I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it abode upon Him. And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding on Him, the same is he that baptizeth with the Holy Spirit.
And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding on Him, the same is he that baptizeth with the Holy Spirit. And I saw it, and therefore testified that this is the Son of God.
And I saw it, and therefore testified that this is the Son of God. The day following John was standing, (and two of his disciples,)
The day following John was 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." And when the two disciples heard what he said, they followed Jesus.
And when the two disciples heard what he said, they followed Jesus. And Jesus turning, and seeing them following Him, saith unto them, What do ye seek? They said unto Him, Rabbi (that is to say, Master,) where is thine abode?
And Jesus turning, and seeing them following Him, saith unto them, What do ye seek? They said unto Him, Rabbi (that is to say, Master,) where is thine abode? He saith unto them, Come and see. And they came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day: and it was about the tenth hour.
He saith unto them, Come and see. And they came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day: and it was about the tenth hour. Now Andrew the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two that heard what John said, and thereupon followed Jesus.
Now Andrew the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two that heard what John said, and thereupon followed Jesus. He first meeteth with his own brother Simon, and telleth him, "We have found the Messiah, which is to say, the Christ."
He first meeteth with his own brother Simon, and telleth him, "We have found the Messiah, which is to say, the Christ."
And when He had said these things, He spit on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
And when He had said these things, He spit on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
He answered and said, A man who is called Jesus, made clay and anointed mine eyes, and said to me, Go to the pool of Siloam and wash: and I went and washed and received my sight.
He answered and said, A man who is called Jesus, made clay and anointed mine eyes, and said to me, Go to the pool of Siloam and wash: and I went and washed and received my sight.
(And it was Mary, that anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
(And it was Mary, that anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
And Mary taking a pound of ointment of spikenard of great value, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped them with her hair; and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
And Mary taking a pound of ointment of spikenard of great value, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped them with her hair; and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
For of a truth both Herod and Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles and the people of Israel, combined against thy holy child Jesus,
For of a truth both Herod and Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles and the people of Israel, combined against thy holy child Jesus,
But Saul prevailed more and more, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, fully proving that this same Jesus is the Christ.
But Saul prevailed more and more, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, fully proving that this same Jesus is the Christ.
how God anointed Him with the holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil: for God was with Him.
how God anointed Him with the holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil: for God was with Him.
And according to his custom Paul went in among them, and for three sabbath-days discoursed to them from the scriptures;
And according to his custom Paul went in among them, and for three sabbath-days discoursed to them from the scriptures; opening them and shewing, that the Messiah was to suffer and rise again from the dead: and that this is the Christ even, Jesus, whom, said he, I preach unto you.
opening them and shewing, that the Messiah was to suffer and rise again from the dead: and that this is the Christ even, Jesus, whom, said he, I preach unto you.
And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was very urgent in spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.
And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was very urgent in spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.
For he disputed vehemently with the Jews in public, proving by the scriptures, that Jesus was the Christ.
For he disputed vehemently with the Jews in public, proving by the scriptures, that Jesus was the Christ.
but He that establisheth us as well as you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us,
but He that establisheth us as well as you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us,
thou lovest righteousness and hatest iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thine associates."
thou lovest righteousness and hatest iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thine associates."
Is any sick among you? let him call for 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 for 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 shall save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayst be rich; and white raiment that thou mayst be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear: and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayst see.
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayst be rich; and white raiment that thou mayst be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear: and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, 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/worsley'>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.
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Then he permitted Him. And Jesus as soon as He was baptized came up from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened unto Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and coming upon Him: and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And ye have an unction from the holy One, and know all.
But the unction, which ye have received from Him, abideth in you; and therefore ye have no need that any should teach you: since this very unction teacheth you concerning all things, and is truth and not falshood; even as that hath taught you, abide in Him.