“Take the an
ointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head.” Exodus 29:7
Not too much anointing happens today. However, in Bible times it was well-known. The most prestigious anointing took place in religious ceremonies. Prophets, priests, and kings were anointed with oil to symbolize that God’s blessing was on them. In the Old Testament this was done by pouring oil on someone’s head to signify that that individual was chosen by God.
In Exodus 28:41, Moses was instructed to anoint his brother as high priest. “After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them.”
While David was still a shepherd, Samuel anointed him to be king as the successor to Saul. “Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David.” (1 Samuel 16:13). God says in Psalm 89:20, “I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him.”
Anointing was also considered a way to welcome guests, as we read in Psalm 23:5, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil.”
The word anoint can also take on a whole new meaning. The name Christ, or Messiah, literally means “the Anointed One.” Jesus was anointed as our Prophet, Priest, and King. As such, he came to serve and rescue us from the curse of sin. Jesus admitted, “The Spirit of the Lord is on 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” (Luke 4:18).
From the book “Precious Words of the Bible” by Reynold R. Kremer