Anointing with Oil

2025-05-11

There are many purposes of the anointing of oil in the Bible. In the Old Testament, there was a very specific recipe for creating anointing oil. “Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil” (Exodus 30:23-25).

This oil was used to anoint the tabernacle with its furniture as well as Aaron and his sons as priests. It was considered most holy. “And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations. Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you. Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people” (Exodus 30:31-33).

The anointing oil signified the setting apart something for God’s purpose, or sanctifying it. “And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy” (Exodus 40:9). Consider also Leviticus 8:10-12, which also suggests this. “And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them. And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them. And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him” (Leviticus 8:10-12). In the larger context, the priests were washed with water, anointed with oil, and sacrifices were made on their behalf. Their uniforms were put on. They were cleansed, purified and sanctified for their God-given task.

Anointing with oil (presumably with a different type of oil) also may have been an ordinary practice in freshening up and was not done when in mourning. “And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead” (2 Samuel 14:2). And again, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over” (Psalm 23:5). And again, “Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine” (Micah 6:15).

It looks like a common practice for guests even were anointed with oil after traveling to their hosts. “My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment” (Luke 7:46). And also, “But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face” (Matthew 6:17).

The sick were anointed with oil. The apostles did so when they were sent out: “And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them” (Mark 6:12-13). The elders of the churches were expected to do the same. “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” (James 5:14). It appears that leaders have the responsibility to pray for and anoint the sick for their healing.

Kings were also anointed with oil. Samuel anointed Saul with oil: “Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?” (1 Samuel 10:1). When Saul was rejected, Samuel anointed David with oil: “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him” (1 Samuel 16:13-14; cf. Psalm 89:20). In these cases, we see that the oil also may suggest that the oil anointing symbolizes the anointing by the Spirit of the LORD.

Zadok also anointed Solomon king. “And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon” (1 Kings 1:39). The servant of Elisha anointed Jehu king. “And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel” (2 Kings 9:6).

What of the Spirit is being pictured through this anointing? The Lord Jesus Himself was anointed with oil, according to the Scriptures. “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows” (Psalm 45:7; cf. Hebrews 1:9). Does this mean the Father anointed the Son with oil? It seems that there is credence in this connection because we never see physical oil come upon Jesus by the Father in the Gospel narrative, but we do see the Spirit. “And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:9-11).

Why anoint the sick with oil? We see that oil was something done as part of routine and daily cleaning oneself. We see that it is also a picture of the Holy Spirit. We see that it made things that were profane holy. All these things contribute to the meaning, perhaps: the end of mourning, the Spirit coming on the sick, and making the sick one holy, set apart to the Lord.