Protos

What does "Anoint" mean in the Bible?

The first biblical instance is in the passage cited, and it signifies in that connection the pouring of oil upon the stone which Jacob had set up for a pillar. Anoint appears in 24 verses across 10 books of the Bible.

The anointing of Solomon (Cornelis de Vos, Kunsthistorisches Museum)
The anointing of Solomon (Cornelis de Vos, Kunsthistorisches Museum) · Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

What does the Bible say about Anoint?

ANOINT' Gen 31:13. The first biblical instance is in the passage cited, and it signifies in that connection the pouring of oil upon the stone which Jacob had set up for a pillar. Gen 28:18. The anointing of persons, places, and things with oil or ointment of a particular composition was a mode of consecration prescribed by divine authority, and extensively practised among the Hebrews. Ex 28:41. The ingredients of the ointment, embracing the most exquisite perfumes and balsams, are minutely given, Ex 30:23-33, and the common use of it was expressly forbidden. Ex 30:33. It was customary at festivals, and on other great and joyful occasions, to anoint the head with fragrant oil; hence it became a sign of joy or happiness; the omission of anointing was therefore a sign of grief. For instances see Ruth 3:3; 2 Sam 14:2; Ps 23:5; 92:10; Eccl 9:8; Matt 6:17. Prophets, 1 Kgs 19:16;1 Chr 16:22, priests, and kings were solemnly anointed, and thus set apart to their respective offices. Of the anointing of the latter we have frequent accounts. 2 Sam 19:10;1 Kgs 1:39; 1 Kgs 19:15, Ex 17:16. The perfumed oil or ointment was usually poured upon the head of the person. It was sometimes done privately by a prophet, 1 Sam 10:1;1 Sam 16:1-13; 1 Kgs 19:16; 2 Kgs 9:1-6, and was a symbolical intimation that the person so anointed would at some future day ascend the throne. After the monarchy was established the anointing was done by the priest, 1 Kgs 1:39, probably in some public place, 1 Kgs 1:32-34, and, at least on one occasion, in the temple, surrounded by the royal guards. 2 Kgs 11:12, 2 Kgs 11:13. David was anointed three times — privately by Samuel before Saul's death, to give him a claim to the throne, 1 Sam 16:1-13; again publicly as king over Judah in Hebron, 2 Sam 2:4; and finally, over the whole nation. 2 Sam 5:3. In regard to the priest's anointing, at first it was part of the induction into office of any priest, Ex 40:15 ; Num 3:3, but afterward it was a rite practised only in the case of the high priest. Lev 8:12; Ps 133:2. It was common to anoint the person, or some part of it, as the head, feet, hair, etc., for the sake of health or cleanliness, or as a token of respect, and also in connection with religious observances. Mark 6:13; Luke 7:46; John 12:3. When practised to show respect, the most expensive materials were used, and the ceremony was performed in such a manner as to denote the most humble and submissive reverence. The anointing of the sick with oil was also common. The healing properties of oil are well known; and though the cures wrought by the disciples of our Lord were obviously miraculous, they still employed the ordinary means of cure. Mark 6:13. The apostolic direction, Jas 5:14, respecting the anointing of the sick shows us that, together with prayer, the appropriate means of healing should be employed in dependence upon or in the name of the Lord. The ceremony was not in its nature obligatory, and surely no sufficient warrant for the rite of "extreme unction." The bodies of the dead were often wrapped in spices and ointments to preserve them from corruption. Mark 14:8;Mark 16:1, and Luke 23:56. The terms "anoint," "anointed," and "anointing" are employed also spiritually to illustrate the sanctifying influences of divine grace upon the soul. 2 Cor 1:21;1 John 2:20,Gen 1:27. To anoint the eyes with eye-salve, Rev 3:18, is a figurative expression for the gift of spiritual illumination. The Anointed, or Messiah, who is constituted our High Priest and Intercessor, was anointed with the Holy Ghost, of which anointing that of the priests under the Jewish dispensation is supposed to be typical. Ps 45:7; Isa 61:1; Dan 9:24; Luke 4:18,Ezr 8:21; Acts 4:27 and Acts 10:38. See Messiah.

Definition text: Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible · 1898. Public domain.

Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.

What is the Hebrew word for Anoint?

Hebrew · H4886

מָשַׁח

ma.shach

to anoint

TBESH, STEPBible, licensed CC BY 4.0.

Where does Anoint appear in the Bible?

Anoint is referenced in 24 verses across 10 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.

What else appears in these passages?

These turn up in the same passages as Anoint.

Common questions

How many times does the Bible mention Anoint?

Anoint appears in 24 verses across 10 books, most often in Exodus, which accounts for 10 of them.

Which books of the Bible mention Anoint?

Exodus, 1 Samuel, 2 Kings, 1 Kings, Amos, Daniel, James, Judges, and 2 more.

Where can I read every verse about Anoint?

This page lists 24 of them. Protos carries all 24, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.

Read it in context

Read Exodus with "Anoint" explained on the verse.

Tap any name, place, or word you do not recognize and the background opens on the verse you are reading. No second tab, no search, no losing your place.

The Protos reader open on Genesis 1 with the How to Read Genesis background sheet raised over it
"People don't give up on the Bible for lack of discipline. They give up because they don't understand what they read. So they skim past it and jump straight to what it means for them, before they have listened to what God is saying through the words, the story, and the voice of the writer. It happens so often that theology has a name for it: eisegesis."
Fabio Jonathan ArifinFabio JonathanFounder of Protos · Portland Bible College graduate

Protos is the answer to that. Every explanation you read was written by a scholar and published in a reference work, credited right on the page.

★★★★★4.7 from 107 App Store ratings

The streak feature actually got people in my congregation excited to read, especially the youth. We've started comparing notes after service.
★★★★★
PPhilPastor, Ohio
between work + kids i barely get time to breathe lol. but protos somehow helps making deep studies doable. i've been reading during lunch breaks again for the first time in years.
★★★★★
CCalebA dad
been using protos for like 2 weeks now. It helps me prep for our small group without getting overwhelmed. The context snippets show up right where I need them.
★★★★★
CChloe ChuaSmall group leader, Singapore

Start understanding the Bible better.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Android is in review with Google Play. Tap the Play badge and we will email you the day it lands.