King James 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 (Exodus 29:29; Leviticus 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Exodus 30:26). The high priest and the king are thus called "the anointed" (Leviticus 4:3, 5, 16; 6:20; Psalms 132:10). Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him (1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Samuel 2:4, etc.). Prophets were also anointed (1 Kings 19:16; 1 Chronicles 16:22; Psalms 105:15). The expression, "anoint the shield" (Isaiah 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 (Deuteronomy 28:40; Ruth 3:3; 2 Samuel 14:2; Psalms 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 (Psalms 109:18; Isaiah 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 (Psalms 2:2; Daniel 9:25, 26), because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost (Isaiah 61:1), figuratively styled the "oil of gladness" (Psalms 45:7; Hebrews 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.

ANOINT', verb transitive [Latin ungo.]

1. To pour oil upon; to smear or rub over with oil or unctuous substances; also to spread over, as oil. We say, the man anoints another, or the oil anoints him.

2. To consecrate by unction, or the use of oil.

Thou shalt anoint the altar, and sanctify it. Exodus 29:7.

3. To smear or daub.

He anointed the eyes of the blind man with clay. John 9:6.

4. To prepare, in allusion to the consecrating use of oil.

ANOINT the shield. Isaiah 21:5.

To anoint the head with oil, Psalms 23:5. seems to signify to communicate the consolations of the Holy Spirit.

The use of oil in consecrations, was of high antiquity. Kings, prophets and priests were set apart or consecrated to their offices by the use of oil. Hence the peculiar application of the term anointed to Jesus Christ.

ANOINT'ED, participle passive Smeared or rubbed with oil; set apart; consecrated with oil.

ANOINT'ED, noun The Messiah, or Son of God, consecrated to the great office of Redeemer; called the Lord's anointed Cyrus is also called the Lord's anointed Isaiah 45:1.

ANOINT'ER, noun One who anoints.

Of the body
Deuteronomy 28:40; Ruth 3:3; Esther 2:12; Psalms 92:10; Psalms 104:15; Psalms 141:5; Proverbs 27:9; Proverbs 27:16; Ecclesiastes 9:8; Song of Solomon 1:3; Song of Solomon 4:10; Isaiah 57:9; Amos 6:6; Micah 6:15

Of guests
2 Chronicles 28:15; Luke 7:46

The sick
Isaiah 1:6; Mark 6:13; Luke 10:34; James 5:14; Revelation 3:18

The dead
Matthew 26:12; Mark 14:8; Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56

Of Jesus, as a token of love
Luke 7:37-38; Luke 7:46; John 11:2; John 12:3

Omitted in mourning
2 Samuel 12:20; 2 Samuel 14:2; Isaiah 61:3; Daniel 10:3

God preserves those who receive
Psalms 18:50; Psalms 20:6; Psalms 89:20-23

Saints receive
Isaiah 61:3; 1 John 2:20

In consecration

Of high priests
Exodus 29:7; Exodus 29:29; Exodus 40:13; Leviticus 6:20; Leviticus 8:12; Leviticus 16:32; Numbers 35:25; Psalms 133:2

Of priests
Exodus 28:41; Exodus 30:30; Exodus 40:15; Leviticus 4:3; Leviticus 8:30; Numbers 3:3

Of kings:

General references
Judges 9:8; Judges 9:15

Saul
1 Samuel 9:16; 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 15:1

David
1 Samuel 16:3; 1 Samuel 16:12-13; 2 Samuel 2:4; 2 Samuel 5:3; 2 Samuel 12:7; 2 Samuel 19:21; 1 Chronicles 11:3

Solomon
1 Kings 1:39; 1 Chronicles 29:22

Jehu
1 Kings 19:16; 2 Kings 9:1-3; 2 Kings 9:6; 2 Kings 9:12

Hazael
1 Kings 19:15

Joash
2 Kings 11:12; 2 Chronicles 23:11

Jehoahaz
2 Kings 23:30

Cyrus
Isaiah 45:1

Of prophets
1 Kings 19:16

Of the tabernacle

General references
Exodus 30:26; Exodus 40:9; Leviticus 8:10; Numbers 7:1

Altars of
Exodus 30:26-28; Exodus 40:10; Leviticus 8:11; Numbers 7:1

Vessels of
Exodus 30:27-28; Exodus 40:9-10; Leviticus 8:10-11; Numbers 7:1

Jacob's pillar, at Beth-El
Genesis 28:18; Genesis 31:13; Genesis 35:14
Dedication

Figurative:

Of Christ's kingly and priestly office
Psalms 45:7; Psalms 89:20; Isaiah 61:1; Daniel 9:24; Luke 4:18; Acts 4:27; Acts 10:38; Hebrews 1:9

Of spiritual gifts
2 Corinthians 1:21; 1 John 2:20; 1 John 2:27

Typified
Exodus 40:13-15; Leviticus 8:12; 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Kings 19:16

Symbolic, of Jesus
Matthew 26:7-12; John 12:3-7

in Holy Scripture, is either, I. Material

with oil

or II. Spiritual

with the Holy Ghost. I. MATERIAL.

1. Ordinary . Anointing the body or head with oil was a common practice with the Jews, as with other Oriental nations. (28:40; Ruth 3:3; Micah 6:15) Anointing the head with oil or ointment seems also to have been a mark of respect sometimes paid by a host to his guests. (Luke 7:46) and Psalms 23:5
2. Official . It was a rite of inauguration into each of the three typical offices of the Jewish commonwealth. a. Prophets were occasionally anointed to their office, (1 Kings 19:16) and were called messiahs, or anointed. (1 Chronicles 16:22; Psalms 105:15) b. Priests, at the first institution of the Levitical priesthood, were all anointed to their offices, (Exodus 40:15; Numbers 3:3) but afterwards anointing seems to have been specially reserved for the high priest, (Exodus 29:29; Leviticus 16:32) so that "the priest that is anointed," (Leviticus 4:3) is generally thought to mean the high priest. c. Kings. Anointing was the principal and divinely-appointed ceremony in the inauguration of the Jewish Kings. (1 Samuel 9:16; 10:1; 1 Kings 1:34,39) The rite was sometimes performed more than once. David was thrice anointed. d. Inanimate objects also were anointed with oil, in token of their being set apart for religious service. Thus Jacob anointed a pillar at Bethel. ((Genesis 31:13; Exodus 30:26-28)
3. Ecclesiastical . Anointing with oil is prescribed by St. James to be used for the recovery of the sick. (James 5:14) Analogous to this is the anointing with oil practiced by the twelve. (Mark 6:13) II. SPIRITUAL.
   
4. In the Old Testament a Deliverer is promised under the title of Messiah, or Anointed, (Psalms 2:2; Daniel 9:25,26) and the nature of his anointing is described to be spiritual, with the Holy Ghost. (Isaiah 61:1) see Luke 4:18 In the New Testament Jesus of Nazareth is shown to be the Messiah, or Christ or Anointed, of the Old Testament, (John 1:41; Acts 9:22; 17:2,3; 18:4,28) and the historical fact of his being anointed with the Holy Ghost is asserted and recorded. (John 1:32,33; Acts 4:27; 10:38) Christ was anointed as prophet priest and king.
5. Spiritual anointing with the Holy Ghost is conferred also upon Christians by God. (2 Corinthians 1:21) " Anointing "expresses the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit upon Christians who are priests and kings unto God.

ANOINT'ING, participle present tense Smearing with oil; pouring on oil, or other oleaginous substance; consecrating.

ANOINT'ING, noun The act of smearing with oil; a consecrating.

Formula of, given by Moses
Exodus 30:22-25; Exodus 30:31-33
Oil; Ointment

ANOINT'MENT, noun The act of anointing, or state of being anointed.