What does the Bible say about anointing?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that anointing ultimately signifies God’s consecrating and empowering work, fulfilled supremely in Jesus Christ and shared spiritually with His people through the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18 proclaim Christ as the Spirit-anointed Savior who brings good news, liberty, and healing. In the old covenant, priests and holy objects were anointed for service, as in Leviticus 8:10, while Psalm 20:6 celebrates God’s help for His anointed king. Believers now have an abiding anointing from the Holy One, teaching them to remain in Christ and resist falsehood, according to 1 John 2:20, 27. James 5:14 and Mark 6:13 show anointing with oil as a prayerful sign accompanying care for the sick, not a mechanical source of power.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

1 John 2:20
You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know the truth.
1 John 2:27
As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don't need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him.
Luke 4:18
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, Because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim release to the captives, Recovering of sight to the blind, To deliver those who are crushed,
James 5:14
Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord,
Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is on me; because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening [of the prison] to those who are bound;
Mark 6:13
They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick, and healed them.
Luke 7:46
You didn't anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.
2 Corinthians 1:21
Now he who establishes us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God;
Psalms 20:6
Now I know that Yahweh saves his anointed. He will answer him from his holy heaven, With the saving strength of his right hand.
Leviticus 8:10
Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and sanctified them.

Study outline

Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.

Nave's Topical Bible

Of the body Deuteronomy 28:40; Ruth 3:3; Esther 2:12; Psalms 92:10; Psalms 104:15; Psalms 141:5; Proverbs 27:9; Proverbs 27:16; Ecclesiastes 9:8; Song of Solomon 1:3; Song of Solomon 4:10; Isaiah 57:9
Of guests 2 Chronicles 28:15; Luke 7:46
Of the sick Isaiah 1:6; Mark 6:13; Luke 10:34; James 5:14; Revelation 3:18
Of the dead Matthew 26:12; Mark 14:8; Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56
Of Jesus, as a token of love Luke 7:37; Luke 7:38; Luke 7:46; John 11:2; John 12:3
Omitted in mourning 2 Samuel 12:20; 2 Samuel 14:2; Isaiah 61:3; Daniel 10:3
God Preserves those who receive Psalms 18:50; Psalms 20:6; Psalms 89:20-23
Saints receive Isaiah 61:3; 1 John 2:20
IN CONSECRATION
OF HIGH PRIESTS Exodus 29:7; Exodus 29:29; Exodus 40:13; Leviticus 6:20; Leviticus 8:12; Leviticus 16:32; Numbers 35:25; Psalms 133:2
OF PRIESTS Exodus 28:41; Exodus 30:30; Exodus 40:15; Leviticus 4:3; Leviticus 8:30; Numbers 3:3
OF KINGS Judges 9:8; Judges 9:15
Saul 1 Samuel 9:16; 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 15:1
David 1 Samuel 16:3; 1 Samuel 16:12; 1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Samuel 2:4; 2 Samuel 5:3; 2 Samuel 12:7; 2 Samuel 19:21; 1 Chronicles 11:3
Solomon 1 Kings 1:39; 1 Chronicles 29:22
Jehu 1 Kings 19:16; 2 Kings 9:1-3; 2 Kings 9:6; 2 Kings 9:12
Hazael 1 Kings 19:15
Joash 2 Kings 11:12; 2 Chronicles 23:11
Jehoahaz 2 Kings 23:30
Cyrus Isaiah 45:1
OF PROPHETS 1 Kings 19:16
OF THE TABERNACLE Exodus 30:26; Exodus 40:9; Leviticus 8:10; Numbers 7:1
Altars of Exodus 30:26-28; Exodus 40:10; Leviticus 8:11; Numbers 7:1
Vessels of Exodus 30:27; Exodus 30:28; Exodus 40:9; Exodus 40:10; Leviticus 8:10; Leviticus 8:11; Numbers 7:1
JACOB’S PILLAR: at Beth-el Genesis 28:18; Genesis 31:13; Genesis 35:14
See DEDICATION
FIGURATIVE
Of Christ’s kingly and priestly office Psalms 45:7; Psalms 89:20; Isaiah 61:1; Daniel 9:24; Luke 4:18; Acts 4:27; Acts 10:38; Hebrews 1:9
Of spiritual gifts 2 Corinthians 1:21; 1 John 2:20; 1 John 2:27
TYPIFIED Exodus 40:13-15; Leviticus 8:12; 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Kings 19:16
SYMBOLICAL
Of Jesus Matthew 26:7-12; John 12:3-7

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

With oil Psalms 92:10
With ointment John 11:2
Was used for
Decorating the person Ruth 3:3
Refreshing the body 2 Chronicles 28:15
Purifying the body Esther 2:12; Isaiah 57:9
Curing the sick Mark 6:13; James 5:14
Healing wounds Isaiah 1:6; Luke 10:34
Preparing weapons for war Isaiah 21:5
Preparing the dead for burial Matthew 26:12; Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56
The Jews were very fond of Proverbs 27:9; Amos 6:6
Was applied to
The head Psalms 23:5; Ecclesiastes 9:8
The face Psalms 104:15
The feet Luke 7:38; Luke 7:39; John 12:3
The eyes Revelation 3:18
Ointment for
Richly perfumed Song of Solomon 4:10; John 12:3
Most expensive 2 Kings 20:13; Amos 6:6; John 12:3; John 12:5
Prepared by the apothecary Ecclesiastes 10:1
An article of commerce Ezekiel 27:17; Revelation 18:13
Neglected in times of affliction 2 Samuel 12:20; 2 Samuel 14:2; Daniel 10:3
Neglect of, to guests, a mark of disrespect Luke 7:46
A token of joy Ecclesiastes 9:7; Ecclesiastes 9:8
Deprivation of, threatened as a punishment Deuteronomy 28:40; Micah 6:15
Why recommended by Christ in times of Fasting Matthew 6:17; Matthew 6:18

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