Anointing with oil and spices is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, both in the Old Testament and New Testament. Anointing served important symbolic, medicinal, and spiritual purposes in biblical times. Here is an overview of the significance of anointing spices in the Bible:
Symbolic Significance
One of the main symbolic purposes of anointing with oil in the Bible was to set something or someone apart as holy and consecrated to God. When objects like the tabernacle, ark of the covenant, altar, or other temple furnishings were anointed, it signified their sanctification for God’s purposes (Exodus 30:26-29). When prophets, priests, and kings were anointed, it signified God setting them apart for service and leadership roles (1 Samuel 10:1, 16:13; 1 Kings 19:16).
Anointing also symbolized blessing, favor, and abundance being poured out from God onto a person or object. The oil was like a visible representation of the invisible blessings, power, and authority being conferred by God (Psalm 23:5, 133:2). For example, when God commanded Samuel to anoint David as king, the anointing oil symbolized God selecting David and empowering him for the throne (1 Samuel 16:1, 13).
The act of anointing was connected to joy and hospitality. Anointing one’s head with oil was associated with festive occasions (Ecclesiastes 9:8), and anointing honored guests with oil was a way to refresh and welcome them (Luke 7:46). Overall, anointing had rich symbolic meaning in the Bible, setting people and things apart for God’s purposes.
Medicinal Purposes
Oil was also used for its soothing, healing properties in biblical times. Isaiah 1:6 and Luke 10:34 reference pouring oil and wine on wounds. The Good Samaritan in Luke 10 poured oil and wine on the injured man to cleanse, disinfect, and soften his wounds as part of medical treatment. Oil’s soothing qualities are also referenced metaphorically in Psalm 23:5, where God spiritually revives the Psalmist’s soul like oil soothing and refreshing the skin.
The oils used for anointing typically had medicinal qualities to promote healing of the body. Ingredients like olive oil, myrrh, cinnamon, and other spices and fragrances were used. James 5:14 instructs those who are sick to call the elders to pray and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord, connecting the physical act of anointing with oil to spiritual healing. The medicinal value of anointing oils showed concern for both physical and spiritual health.
Prepared for Burial
Spices and perfumed oils were used to prepare the bodies of the deceased for burial. John 19:39-40 describes how Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes to use in preparing Jesus’ body for burial. It was common practice to anoint a dead body with fragrances to offset the smell of decomposition and show honor to the deceased (Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56). The women came to Jesus’ tomb after the Sabbath to anoint His body, although He had already risen!
Spiritual Purposes
While anointing served symbolic, medical, and burial purposes, its main significance was spiritual. God instructed His people to anoint the furnishings and priests of the tabernacle and temple to sanctify them and consecrate them for His holy service (Exodus 40:9-11). Only those set apart by anointing with the special temple oil were permitted to enter God’s presence in the Most Holy Place (Exodus 30:22-33).
God filled craftsmen with His Spirit for skill in preparing the anointing oil and other elements of the tabernacle (Exodus 31:3). This shows that the physical anointing was meant to reflect a spiritual anointing. The Holy Spirit in the New Testament is described with language reminiscent of anointing oil being poured out (Titus 3:5-6).
Only those anointed by God could fill offices like prophet, priest and king. When Samuel anointed David as king, “the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David” from that day forward (1 Samuel 16:13). That anointing empowered David by God’s Spirit to lead Israel. In the New Testament, Jesus is the ultimate Messiah (meaning “Anointed One”) who fulfills the three anointed offices of prophet, priest, and king (Hebrews 1:9).
Those who put their faith in Christ are also anointed with God’s Spirit and set apart for His purposes. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 says God anoints believers by sealing them with the Holy Spirit: “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” Every Christian now takes on a priestly role to God through Christ’s high priestly office (1 Peter 2:9).
So in summary, anointing had a significant spiritual meaning in the Bible, representing the consecration, sanctification, and empowerment of the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of prophets, priests, kings, tabernacle articles, and all of God’s people.
Key Spices Used for Anointing
The Bible mentions various spices and fragrances used for ceremonial and medicinal anointing purposes:
- Olive oil – The most common base oil used for anointing (Exodus 30:24). Olive oil represented blessing, honor, joy, and the Holy Spirit.
- Myrrh – An expensive spice mentioned often, including for anointing Jesus’ body (John 19:39). It had a pleasant fragrance and medicinal value.
- Cinnamon – Used in the sacred anointing oil (Exodus 30:23). It had a sweet fragrance and helped preserve the oil.
- Cassia – Similar to cinnamon, also used in the holy anointing oil (Exodus 30:24). It was likely an imported spice.
- Aloes – A perfume mentioned along with myrrh for preparing Jesus’ burial spices (John 19:39). It had a strong aromatic scent.
- Frankincense – This pleasant spice was gifted to the young Jesus (Matthew 2:11). It was likely imported and very valuable.
- Spikenard – An expensive perfumed oil that Mary used to anoint Jesus (Mark 14:3; John 12:3). It had to be imported.
The exact recipes and mixtures of anointing oils were sacred secrets often kept within certain families. But the spices all shared pleasant fragrances and/or medicinal qualities. The oils’ purity, costliness, and strong aromas made them fitting symbols of blessing, honor, and the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit.
Notable Biblical Anointings
Here are some notable examples of anointing throughout Scripture:
- The tabernacle, Ark of the Covenant, furnishings were anointed and consecrated (Exodus 30:26-29)
- Aaron and his sons were anointed as priests (Exodus 30:30-33)
- The prophet Elisha anointed Jehu king of Israel (2 Kings 9:1-6)
- The prophet Samuel anointed David as king (1 Samuel 16:1, 12-13)
- A sinful woman anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume (Luke 7:36-50)
- Mary, sister of Martha, anointed Jesus’ feet (John 12:3)
- Jesus referred to His burial when a woman anointed His head (Matthew 26:6-13)
- Jesus was anointed before His death, prepared for burial (Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56)
- Sick believers should call elders to anoint them (James 5:14)
Significance for Today
For Christians today, anointing with oil no longer serves as a mandatory ritual act under the old covenant laws. Jesus instituted new covenant practices like water baptism and Communion. However, the symbolic significance and spiritual parallels of biblical anointing remain:
- All believers are anointed and sealed with the Holy Spirit when they put faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
- We enter God’s presence through Christ as our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16).
- The Holy Spirit empowers us with spiritual gifts for God’s service (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
- We serve a priestly role offering spiritual sacrifices to God (1 Peter 2:5).
- James 5:14 provides a model for calling elders to pray and anoint the sick.
While the outward ritual act is no longer required, the inward spiritual truth behind biblical anointing remains powerful. As Christians, we have the anointing of God’s Holy Spirit guiding and empowering us to carry out His will on earth. We have been sanctified and set apart by God through Christ for holy purposes. And we can trust in God’s spiritual healing, whether through natural or supernatural means.