Anointing, or the pouring of oil on a person's head, was a common practice in Bible times. A guest
in a home was anointed, partly as a token of honor, partly to moisten the skin because of the hot, dry climate in Palestine.
Anointing was also a distinct religious rite among the Jewish people. A person was sometimes anointed
to set him apart for a particular work or service. Saul was anointed when the Israelites demanded a king (1
Sam. 8:4-22; 10:1).
Samuel anointed David as king of Israel (1 Sam. 16:1-13), and Solomon was anointed as David's
successor (1 Kings 1:39).
These kings, called "anointed ones", 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.
During an anointing, the person customarily knelt while the oil was poured over his head. The substance
used was olive oil, myrrh, or sweet cinnamon.
Jesus was God's "anointed one" or the Messiah, who had been foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament (Ps.
45:7; Isa. 61:1). A woman poured perfume on Jesus' head as an anointing before His death (Mark
14:3-9). This showed that Jesus had fulfilled His purpose as God's messenger.
Anointing also refers to a spiritual process in which the Holy Spirit empowers a person's heart and
mind with God's truth and love (1 John 2:20, 27). On the Day of Pentecost, after Jesus' ascention,
the disciples were anointed for special service in a great outpouring of His Holy Spirit on believers (Acts
2:1-4).
The apostle Paul declared that all followers of Christ are anointed as God's own and set apart to
do His service.
In the New Testament, anointing was also frequently used in connection with healing. Jesus' disciples
anointed the sick (Mark 6:13) and James instructed the elders of the church to anoint the
sick with oil (James 5:14). This anointing was for the purpose of healing.
