Anointing is a significant and powerful concept in the Bible. It has various meanings depending on the context, but generally, anointing symbolizes the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, consecration, and the setting apart of something or someone for God’s special purpose. In the Bible, anointing with oil represents God’s presence, sanctification, healing, and the commissioning of leaders, prophets, priests, and kings. It also conveys the idea of divine favor and the blessing of the Holy Spirit. Here, we will explore 38 Bible verses that speak about the concept of anointing.
Bible Verses on Anointing
1. Exodus 29:7
“Then take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head.”
This verse is part of the instructions for consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests. Anointing with oil was a symbolic act that set them apart for the service of God.
2. Exodus 30:22-25
“Moreover the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Take for yourself quality spices—500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much of sweet-smelling cinnamon, 250 shekels of sweet-smelling cane, 500 shekels of cassia… and you shall make from these a holy anointing oil.'”
God commanded the creation of a special anointing oil to be used for consecrating the tabernacle, the ark, the table, and all sacred utensils. This oil was a blend of specific spices and was sacred, not to be used for ordinary purposes.
3. Leviticus 8:12
“And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.”
This verse speaks about the ordination of Aaron as high priest. The anointing with oil signifies God’s choice and blessing on him for the sacred role.
4. 1 Samuel 9:16
“Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel.”
In this passage, God instructs Samuel to anoint Saul as king. Anointing signifies the divine appointment of Saul to lead Israel.
5. 1 Samuel 10:1
“Then Samuel took a flask 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?'”
Samuel anoints Saul, indicating that Saul was chosen by God to rule over Israel. The anointing also symbolizes empowerment for leadership.
6. 1 Samuel 16:13
“Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward.”
David’s anointing as king of Israel is significant because the Holy Spirit came upon him, empowering him for leadership and marking him as God’s chosen ruler.
7. 2 Samuel 5:3
“So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel.”
David was anointed as king in this moment of unity among the tribes of Israel. The anointing was a public acknowledgment of God’s chosen ruler.
8. 1 Kings 19:16
“Also, you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.”
God commands Elijah to anoint Jehu and Elisha, signifying the transfer of authority and the fulfillment of divine purposes.
9. Psalm 45:7
“You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your companions.”
This verse refers to the anointing of the Messiah, which is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The anointing represents joy, favor, and divine empowerment.
10. Psalm 92:10
“But my horn you have exalted like a wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil.”
Anointing with oil signifies spiritual empowerment and blessing. The psalmist expresses how God’s favor and anointing have lifted him.
11. Isaiah 10:27
“And it shall come to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.”
In this prophecy, the anointing oil symbolizes deliverance and the breaking of oppression. It signifies freedom and the power of God’s Spirit.
12. Isaiah 61:1
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”
This messianic prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The anointing of the Spirit empowers Him to bring liberation, healing, and salvation.
13. Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.”
In this fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1, Jesus declares that He has been anointed by the Spirit to bring salvation and deliverance.
14. 1 John 2:20
“But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.”
Believers are anointed by the Holy Spirit, which grants them understanding and wisdom. The anointing empowers them for living according to God’s will.
15. 1 John 2:27
“But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.”
This verse emphasizes the continuous presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, teaching and leading them.
16. Acts 4:27
“For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel.”
Jesus is referred to as the Anointed One. His anointing by God signifies His divine mission and purpose, even in the face of opposition.
17. Acts 10:38
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”
The anointing of Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power is described as empowering Him to heal, deliver, and bring God’s kingdom to earth.
18. James 5:14
“Is anyone among you sick? 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.”
The practice of anointing the sick with oil is a sign of prayer for healing and divine intervention. It signifies God’s power to restore health.
19. 1 Samuel 16:13
“Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward.”
The anointing of David symbolizes the empowerment of the Spirit for leadership, setting him apart as God’s chosen king.
20. Matthew 26:6-7
“Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.”
In this passage, the woman anoints Jesus, recognizing Him as the Messiah and symbolizing her reverence and worship.
21. Mark 6:13
“And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.”
The disciples practiced anointing with oil as part of their healing ministry. This act demonstrated the presence and power of God.
22. John 12:3
“Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”
Mary anoints Jesus with costly perfume, a symbolic act of worship and honoring Jesus as the Messiah.
23. Matthew 9:17
“Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out, and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
This verse is about spiritual renewal and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. It teaches that the new work of God requires new receptacles, a transformation within.
24. Luke 7:46
“You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.”
Jesus contrasts the lack of hospitality by Simon with the anointing by the woman, highlighting her love and recognition of His Messiahship.
25. 1 Samuel 16:12
“And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, ‘Arise, anoint him, for this is he.'”
This verse refers to God’s choosing of David as king. The anointing signifies God’s divine will and plan for David’s life.
26. 1 Samuel 15:1-3
“And Samuel said to Saul, ‘The Lord sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel. Now therefore listen to the words of the Lord.'”
This speaks of God’s command to Saul to destroy the Amalekites. Saul’s anointing by God is linked with obedience to His commands.
27. 2 Samuel 23:1
“Now these are the last words of David. The oracle of David, the son of Jesse, the oracle of the man who was raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel.”
David is called “the anointed of the God of Jacob,” underscoring the special relationship between God and His chosen leaders.
28. 1 Chronicles 16:22
“Saying, ‘Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!'”
This verse highlights God’s protection over those He has anointed. It serves as a warning against harming God’s appointed leaders.
29. 2 Chronicles 22:7
“But it was ordained by God that the downfall of Ahaziah should come about through his going to Joram. For when he came, he went out with Jehoram, the son of Ahab, to fight against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead.”
This passage illustrates how God’s will is accomplished even through events involving those who are anointed.
30. Luke 10:34
“He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.”
The Samaritan uses oil as a symbol of healing and restoration. This is an example of the symbolic use of oil in bringing comfort and healing.
31. Mark 14:3
“While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head.”
The woman anoints Jesus as an act of worship, symbolizing devotion to Him as the Messiah.
32. Revelation 3:18
“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.”
Jesus speaks metaphorically here about the spiritual anointing necessary for healing and insight.
33. Matthew 26:12
“In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial.”
Jesus acknowledges the woman’s anointing as preparation for His death and burial, marking it as a prophetic act.
34. 2 Kings 9:1-3
“Then Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, ‘Tie up your garments, and take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead.'”
Elisha instructs a prophet to anoint Jehu, signaling God’s divine will for leadership and judgment on Israel.
35. 1 Kings 1:39
“There Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, ‘Long live King Solomon!'”
Solomon is anointed king of Israel, marking the fulfillment of God’s promise to David.
36. Psalm 23:5
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
This verse reflects God’s provision, blessing, and protection for His people.
37. Zechariah 4:14
“Then he said, ‘These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.'”
This passage speaks of the two olive trees and their symbolic role in empowering God’s work.
38. 2 Samuel 1:21
“O mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fields of offerings! For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.”
This verse laments the death of Saul, the anointed king of Israel, who fell in battle. His anointing, though powerful, did not save him from defeat.
Conclusion
Anointing is a powerful symbol throughout the Bible, representing God’s choice, empowerment, healing, and consecration. Whether it’s for kings, priests, prophets, or believers, anointing is a way to recognize God’s presence and divine purpose in the lives of His people. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, the theme of anointing continues to remind us of God’s active involvement in the lives of His followers.
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