ANOINTING

ANOINTING.

To anoint is to pour oil or ointment onto a person or object.

The word first appears in Genesis 31:13. Jacob is seen pouring oil on the stone of Bethel (Genesis 28:18-19). At a later time the ceremony was repeated (Genesis 35:9-15). The religious ceremony meant entrance into sacred use. As a religious act, the anointing was meant to provide the anointed one with the quality of the deity involved. From ancient times the Hebrews dedicated officers of their national community by pouring special oil on the head of the person designated for office. The same practice was used to set objects apart for special divine use.

Scripture supplies few details of the anointings of official things and persons. Jacob simply poured oil on a rock with a pronouncement. When anointing Israel's first king, the prophet-judge Samuel took Saul aside for instruction (1 Samuel 9:25-27). Then he "took a vial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said, ‘Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel'" (1 Samuel!!! 10:1, RSV). A special oil was blended and used for anointing the tabernacle (meeting place) and its priests. Skilled perfume makers blended the choicest spices (myrrh, cinnamon, sweet cane, cassia) in olive oil (Exodus 30:22-25). The Lord said that everything set apart for God was to be anointed (Exodus 30:26-32). This meant the tabernacle, the ark, the table and its instruments, the lampstand and utensils, the incense altar and main altar, and the washbasin. Aaron, the high priest, and his sons (also priests) were also to be anointed. The result was a holy place with holy furnishings, holy items of worship, and holy ministers.

The offices of prophet, priest, and king were those associated with anointing in the nation of Israel. Prophets were sometimes, but not always, installed by official anointing (1 Kings 19:16). They could be referred to as God's anointed ones (1 Chronicles 16:22; Psalm 105:115). All the priests in the levitical priesthood were anointed to their offices. This included the sons of Aaron as well as Aaron himself (Exodus 40:12-15; Numbers 3:3). Afterward, anointing was not repeated to set apart ordinary priests, but was especially reserved for the high priest (Exodus 29:29; Leviticus 16:32).

Before they had a king of their own, the Israelites were aware of anointing as a mode of dedicating new kings (Judges 9:8,15). Anointing became a divinely ordained rite accompanying all the kings of Judah and Israel (2 Kings 9:1-6; 2 Kings 11:12) from Saul onward (1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Kings 1:39). David's anointing took place in three stages (1 Samuel 16:1, 13; 2 Samuel 2:4; 2 Samuel 5:1-4). "The Lord's anointed" or some similar phrase became a common title for Hebrew kings (1 Samuel 12:3-5; 2 Samuel 1:14-16; Psalm 89:38, 51; Lamentations 4:20).

Anointing, however, had more than religious significance. Both the Egyptians and the Syrians practiced anointing for medical and cosmetic reasons., The Scriptures indicate that such nonreligious practice was also a part of Israelite customs (2 Samuel 12:20; Ruth 3:3; Micah 6:15). In fact, failure to anoint or perfume oneself indicated mourning or distress (2 Samuel 14:2; Daniel 10:3; Matthew 6:17).

In the New Testament, local church elders are recommended to anoint the sick when requested. It was to be accompanied by prayer for healing (James 5:14-16). Anointing with oil was also a part of the apostles' healing ministry (Mark 6:12-13).