Anointing is an important concept in the Bible that is mentioned over 150 times across both the Old and New Testaments. Here is an overview of some key Bible verses about anointing:
Anointing in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, anointing was often associated with consecrating someone or something for God’s purposes. Here are some examples:
- Exodus 28:41 – God instructs Moses to anoint Aaron and his sons to consecrate them as priests.
- 1 Samuel 10:1 – Samuel anoints Saul to be the first king over Israel.
- 1 Samuel 16:13 – Samuel anoints David to be the future king over Israel.
- 1 Kings 19:16 – God tells Elijah to anoint Elisha as prophet in his place.
- Leviticus 8:10-12 – Moses anoints the tabernacle and all its furnishings to consecrate them.
Oil was most commonly used for anointing, and the act signified God’s blessing and empowerment for service. Anointing someone or something set them apart for God’s purposes.
Jesus as the Anointed One
In the New Testament, Jesus is revealed as the ultimate “Anointed One” – which is what the name “Christ” or “Messiah” means. Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah/Christ indicated he would be God’s anointed deliverer:
- Isaiah 61:1 – The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me.
- Daniel 9:25 – Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks.
The New Testament makes it clear that Jesus is the fulfillment of these messianic prophecies about the Christ/Anointed One:
- Luke 4:18-19 – Jesus reads Isaiah 61:1 and declares “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
- Acts 10:38 – God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.
- Hebrews 1:9 – You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.
Anointing of the Holy Spirit
Christians are also anointed with the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. Believers receive the Spirit as a seal of belonging to God and being set apart for His purposes:
- 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 – And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
- 1 John 2:20 – But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
The anointing of the Holy Spirit enables believers for ministry and service:
- Luke 4:18 – The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
- 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 – To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
Anointing the Sick
Anointing oil is also used in relation to healing and ministry to the sick:
- Mark 6:13 – And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
- 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.
This practice is based on Jesus’ own ministry of healing the sick (Luke 4:18, Luke 10:34). The oil does not contain magical healing properties, but represents invoking Christ’s power and asking for God’s intervention.
Spiritual Warfare
Anointing is also associated with spiritual power and protection:
- 1 Samuel 16:13 – And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward.
- 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 – He who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God, who has also sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
- 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.
The anointing empowers believers against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). As 1 John says, the Spirit teaches and guides believers into truth and righteousness.
Anointing Jesus’ Feet
There are also examples in the Gospels of Jesus having his feet anointed:
- Luke 7:36-38 – And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.
- 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.
These acts of anointing Jesus’ feet demonstrated the woman’s love, gratitude and devotion to Jesus. The anointing was an act of humility, sacrifice and worship towards Christ.
The Anointing Teaches
As mentioned in 1 John 2:27, the anointing of the Holy Spirit teaches and guides believers. Some additional verses that reflect this:
- 1 Corinthians 2:13 – And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
- John 14:26 – But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
- John 16:13 – When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
The Holy Spirit provides discernment, reveals biblical truth, and enables believers to grasp and apply God’s Word.
The Anointing Abides
1 John 2:27 says “the anointing that you received from him abides in you.” Additional verses reflect the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers:
- John 14:16-17 – And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19 – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?
- Ephesians 1:13 – In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
Unlike the temporary empowering of the Spirit in the Old Testament, Christ’s death and resurrection allow for the permanent indwelling of the Spirit in believers (John 7:39, Acts 2:1-4).
Anointing of God’s People
The Bible speaks of anointing God’s people as a way to bless, protect and consecrate them for His service:
- Psalm 23:5 – You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
- Psalm 92:10 – But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; you have poured over me fresh oil.
- Isaiah 61:3 – to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
- 2 Corinthians 1:21 – And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us.
As God’s chosen people, anointing sets believers apart for service and equips them for victory in Christ.
The Importance of Anointing
In summary, the key points about anointing in Scripture include:
- Consecrating people and objects to God’s service
- Empowering for leadership, ministry and deliverance
- Healing and ministering to the sick
- Protection against spiritual forces of evil
- Indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers
- Teaching, revelation and guidance into truth
- Blessing and favor as God’s chosen ones
Whether it was prophets, priests, kings or the tabernacle in the Old Testament, or Jesus Himself, or believers through the Holy Spirit in the New – anointing marks those set apart by God for His purposes. Anointing brings consecration, empowerment, protection and blessing.