Anointing Oil—Its Holy Use and Purpose

WHAT is it about oil? Why did God specifically choose oil as the element through which to mark His chosen servants?

Why not wine, or honey, or even water?

In the Bible, God chose oil to set apart His servants. Kings weren’t crowned—they were anointed. Priests weren’t elected—they were consecrated with oil.

In both the Old and New Testaments, oil was far more than a household item—it was a divine symbol. Sacred. Consecrated.

Appointed by God for use in spiritual service. Kings, priests, and prophets were all set apart through anointing with oil. And its meaning runs far deeper than tradition—it signifies calling, sanctification, and the empowering presence of God.

The Symbolism and Sanctity of Oil

Olive oil, the most common source used in biblical times, was known for its healing, nourishing, and illuminating properties. Oil could soften wounds, fuel lamps, and preserve life during times of famine. These properties became fitting metaphors for the work of the Holy Spirit. Oil came to represent the Spirit’s role in healing, enlightening, and sanctifying.

In the Hebrew Bible, the anointing with oil was an outward sign of a spiritual reality: God had chosen and consecrated a person for a holy purpose. The Hebrew word mashach (מָשַׁח), meaning “to anoint,” is the root of 'Mashiach' (Messiah)—"the Anointed One."

Anointing Oil in the Old Testament

God Himself prescribed a sacred recipe for the anointing oil in Exodus 30:22–33. It was not a random mixture—it was a precise combination of myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil. This holy oil was not to be replicated for personal use:

“You shall not pour it on the body of an ordinary person… it is holy, and it shall be holy to you” (Exodus 30:32, ESV).

Moses anointed Aaron and his sons, sanctifying them for the priesthood (Exodus 29:7, Leviticus 8:12). This act of consecration symbolized God's ownership and presence.

King David’s story is equally compelling. As a young shepherd, David was anointed by the prophet Samuel with oil, signifying God’s selection: “Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him… and the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13). David was not crowned, but anointed—a powerful act that ushered in God’s Spirit and divine approval.

Anointing Was Never 'Self-Appointed'

Throughout Scripture, no one anointed themselves. Anointing was always performed by a representative of God, emphasizing that spiritual authority and calling come from above—not from personal ambition. Prophets carried oil, not popularity. Kings were not elected—they were chosen and set apart through divine anointing.

The anointing was poured—not sprinkled—emphasizing fullness, abundance, and permanence (cf. Psalm 133:2). It flowed from the head, down the beard, and even to the garments—signifying the complete sanctification of the person for God’s purpose.

The Messiah--the 'Anointed One'

The concept of anointing reaches its ultimate fulfillment in the works and mission of Jesus Christ. The title “Christ” (Greek Christos) is the equivalent of the Hebrew Mashiach—both meaning “Anointed One.” Jesus was not anointed with oil in the traditional sense, but with the Holy Spirit Himself: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power” (Acts 10:38, NIV).

Jesus publicly affirmed this in the synagogue:

"And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

(Luke 4:17-19, NKJV quoting Isaiah 61:1).

Christ’s mission—preaching, healing, and deliverance—was empowered by divine anointing.

Anointing Oil in the New Testament Church

Use of anointing oil did not disappear in the New Testament. Instead, it was used in a broader spiritual context. James instructs the Church:

“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14, NIV).

Here, oil serves not as superstition but as a symbol of God's healing grace and the believer’s submission to divine authority.

While the physical oil remains symbolic, the reality it points to is the Holy Spirit—the true anointing that empowers believers today (1 John 2:20, 27). Just as oil saturated the skin in ancient ceremonies, the Spirit fills and transforms the life of every person yielded to God's purpose.

The Anointing Still Flows Today

God is still in the business of anointing His people—not with physical oil necessarily, but with His Spirit. Whether your calling is to preach, to serve, to lead your family, or to stand as a light in a dark world, you need God’s anointing.

You don’t need to be impressive—you need to be chosen.

You don’t need the world’s crown—you need the King’s oil.

Receive God’s Anointing!

Have you sought God’s anointing on your life? Have you yielded to His calling and purpose? The anointing is not a mystical experience for a chosen few—it is available to every believer who desires to be set apart for holy use.

Ask God today to anoint you with His Spirit. Surrender your ambitions, your doubts, your weaknesses—and allow His oil to saturate your life. Let Him pour into you so you can pour out His love, His truth, and His power into the world.

You were not called to be average. You were called to be set apart, anointed--for a holy calling!