Anointing with Oil
There is an interesting passage in James about the sick calling for the elders to anoint them with oil. I have been in assemblies where if someone is sick they request that the elders both pray over and anoint them with oil. Usually during the prayer, one of the elders takes out a little jar of oil, usually olive oil, and dabs the sick person on the head.
Not only do we find in the book of James directions to anoint the sick with oil, we find this mentioned in other places in the New Testament. So it makes sense that this process of healing the sick by anointing with oil is Scriptural. And the Greek word “elaion”, which is translated oil, is derived from the Greek word #1636 “elaia”, which means an olive tree or fruit of the olive tree.
James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the assembly; and let them pray over him, anointing (#5548) him with oil (#1637) in the name of Yahweh:
5548 chrio {khree’-o} • probably akin to 5530 through the idea of contact; TDNT – 9:493,1322; v • AV – anoint 5; 5 • 1) to anoint 1a) consecrating Yah’shua to the Messianic office, and furnishing him with the necessary powers for its administration
Strong’s Concordance definition for “chrio” is the idea of contact, to smear, rub with oil, anoint, to consecrate to an office or religious service.
1637 elaion {el’-ah-yon} • from the same as 1636; TDNT – 2:470,221; n n • AV – oil 11; 11 • 1) olive oil 1a) for fuel for lamps 1b) for healing the sick 1c) for anointing the head and body at feasts 1d) mentioned among articles of commerce
1636 elaia {el-ah’-yah} • from a presumed derivative from an obsolete primary;; n f • AV – olives 11, olive tree 3, olive berries 1; 15 • 1) an olive tree 2) an olive, the fruit of an olive tree
Mark 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;
13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil (#1637) many that were sick, and healed them.
Luke 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil (#1637) and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
New Testament Scriptures are clear that oil was used to heal the sick. What does the Old Testament say about anointing one with oil? If you search the Hebrew Scriptures you will find that they have a lot to say, including a formula for a Holy Anointing Oil.
Exodus 30:22 Moreover Yahweh spake unto Moses, saying, 23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus (1) two hundred and fifty shekels, 24 And of cassia (2) five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: 25 And thou shalt make it an oil (#8081) of holy ointment (#4888), an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing (#4888) oil (#8081)
8081 shemen {sheh’-men} • from 8080; TWOT – 2410c; n m • AV – oil 165, ointment 14, olive 4, oiled 2, fat 2, things 2, misc 4; 193 • 1) fat, oil 1a) fat, fatness 1b) oil, olive oil 1b1) as staple, medicament (i.e. a substance used for medical treatment) or unguent (i.e. substance used as an ointment) 1b2) for anointing 1c) fat (of fruitful land, valleys) (metaph)
4888 mishchah {meesh-khaw’} or hx’v.m’ moshchah {mosh-khaw’} • from 4886; TWOT – 1255a,1255b; n f • AV – anointing 24, anointed 1, ointment 1; 26 • 1) consecrated portion, anointing oil, portion, ointment, anointing portion 1a) ointment (used to consecrate by anointing) 1b) anointing portion
4886 mashach {maw-shakh’} • a primitive root; TWOT – 1255; v • AV – anoint 68, painted 1; 69 • 1) to smear, anoint, spread a liquid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to smear 1a2) to anoint (as consecration) 1a3) to anoint, consecrate 1b) (Niphal) to be anointed
- Definition of Calamus – Aromatic, underground stem of the sweet Hag (i.e. type of cane) yielding an oil used in perfumery.
- Definition of Cassia – Tropical Asian evergreen tree having aromatic bark used as a substitute for cinnamon.
And as we continue to read in Exodus 30, it is clear that this Holy Anointing Oil was not to be used on just anyone.
Exodus 30:31 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing (#4888) oil (#8081) unto me throughout your generations. 32 Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you. 33 Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.
So what are some of the uses for the Holy Anointing Oil prescribed by Yahweh? First we see this Holy Anointing Oil was used for the consecration of the temple and priests.
Exodus 30:26 And thou shalt anoint (#4886) the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, 27 And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense, 28 And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot. 29 And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy. 30 And thou shalt anoint (#4886) Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Exodus 40:9 And thou shalt take the anointing (#4888) oil (#8081), and anoint (#4886) the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.
Exodus 29:7 Then shalt thou take the anointing (#4888) oil (#8081), and pour it upon his (Aaron) head, and anoint (#4886) him.
21 And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing (#4888) oil (#8081), and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.
Leviticus 8:10 And Moses took the anointing (#4888) oil (#8081), and anointed (#4886) the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them. 11 And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed (#4886) the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them. 12 And he poured of the anointing (#4888) oil (#8081) upon Aaron’s head, and anointed (#4886) him, to sanctify him.
Leviticus 21:10 And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing (#4888) oil (#8081) was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;
And not only was the Holy Oil used to anoint the temple and priests, we also see that the Holy Anointing Oil was used to anoint Kings and Prophets.
1 Samuel 9:27 And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of Elohim. 10:1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil (#8081), and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because Yahweh hath anointed (#4886) thee to be captain over his inheritance?
1 Kings 19:15 And Yahweh said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint (#4886) to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint (#4886) to be prophet in thy room.
1 Chronicles 16:22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed (#4899 from #4886), and do my prophets no harm. (Also see Psalm 105:15)
It is interesting to note that after David was anointed with oil, the Holy Spirit of Yahweh came upon him from that day forward. As we continue our study of anointing with oil, it becomes clear that there is a link between oil and the Holy Spirit. More on this later.
1 Samuel 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And Yahweh said, Arise, anoint (#4886) him: for this is he. 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil (#8081), and anointed (#4886) him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of Yahweh came upon David from that day forward.
Psalm 89:20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil (#8081) have I anointed (#4886) him:
So the Holy Anointing Oil found in Exodus 30 was used to consecrate the temple, priest, kings, and prophets. There were also instructions that this Holy Anointing Oil was not supposed to be poured on any man’s flesh. So with that in mind, is this Holy Anointing Oil meant for saints today? I believe the answer is yes! If you really think about it, saints today are the temple of Yahweh.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of Yahweh, and that the Spirit of Yahweh dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of Yahweh, him shall Yahweh destroy; for the temple of Yahweh is holy, which temple ye are.
1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of Yahweh, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify Yahweh in your body, and in your spirit, which are Yahweh’s.
Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of Yahweh; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, YahwehShua Messiah himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Sovereign: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of Yahweh through the Spirit.
And not only are saints the temple of Yahweh, we are priests and kings currently receiving on the job training!
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of Yahweh: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
There is also a promise that at our resurrection at Messiah’s Second Coming, saints will be priests and kings with Messiah for 1,000 years!
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of Yahweh and of Messiah, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Revelation 1:5 And from YahwehShua Messiah, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto Mighty One and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the assemblies.
Therefore since saints are the temple of Yahweh, priests and kings, and some saints have the gift of prophecy, it appears that Yahweh’s Holy Anointing Oil is meant for believers today.
We also see anointing with oil is a very positively referenced in the Scriptures. So why would a saint not want to be anointed with Yahweh’s Holy Anointing Oil?
Psalm 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil (#8081); my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of Yahweh for ever.
Proverbs 27:9 Ointment (#8081) and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
Proverbs 21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil (#8081) in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
Ecclesiastes 9:8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment (#8081).
Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment (#8081) upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
Psalm 104:14 He (i.e. Yahweh) causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil (#8081) to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.
Earlier we saw in 1 Samuel 16:13 that when King David was anointed with the Holy Anointing Oil, the Holy Spirit came upon him from that day forward. So there is a link between oil and the Holy Spirit. We see anointing with oil and the receiving of the Holy Spirit being used interchangeably with Messiah. Therefore being anointed with oil in the Scriptures can sometimes symbolize the receiving of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O Elohim, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore Elohim, even thy Elohim, hath anointed (#5548) thee with the oil (#1637) of gladness above thy fellows.
Psalm 45:6 Thy throne, O Elohim, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. 7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore Elohim, thy Elohim, hath anointed (#4886) thee with the oil (#8081) of gladness above thy fellows.
Psalm 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his anointed (#4899 from #4866),
Ezekiel 16:8 Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Sovereign Yahweh, and thou becamest mine. 9 Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil (#8081). 11 I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. 12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. 13 Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Yahweh is upon me; because Yahweh hath anointed (#4886) me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isaiah 10:27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing (#8081).
We also see that anointing with oil and receiving the Holy Spirit is used interchangeably with saints. Again, being anointed with oil in the Scriptures can sometimes symbolize the receiving of the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Messiah, and hath anointed (#5548) us, is Yahweh; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction (Latin word which means “smear with oil”) from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
27 But the anointing (#5545 from #5548) which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing (#5545 from #5548) teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil (#1637) with them: 4 But the wise took oil (#1637) in their vessels with their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil (#1637); for our lamps are gone out.
Lastly, we see other uses of anointing in the New Testament, including using oil when we fast and for Yah’shua’s burial. It is interesting to note that anointing for fasting does not clarify that oil was used plus Yah’shua for His pre-burial was anointed with Spikenard (3).
Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
Mark 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard (3) very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. 4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 6 And Yah’shua said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. 8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
- Spikenard is a class of aromatic amber-colored essential oil derived from Nardostachys Jatamanse, a flowering plant of the valerian family which grows in the Himalayas of Nepal, China, and India.
John 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard (3), very costly, and anointed the feet of Yah’shua, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Luke 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Yah’shua sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
It is clear that the New Testament encourages those that are sick to call for the elders to anoint them with oil. And that anointing with oil was used by the disciples in the New Testament to heal the sick.
We also know that Yahweh has a Holy Anointing Oil formula found in Exodus 30. And this Holy Anointing Oil was used to anoint, or consecrate, the temple, high priest, kings, and prophets. We know that saints today are the temple of Yahweh and priests and kings of Yahweh. We also know that some saints have the spiritual gift of prophesy, therefore are prophets.
If you add up all that we have covered, it makes sense that when saints call for the Elders to anoint them with oil because of their sickness, that they be anointed with Yahweh’s Holy Anointing Oil. And not only should a saint when sick be anointed with oil, the anointing should be done in faith. It is clear from the Scriptures; faith is what ultimately heals a believer.
James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of Yahweh: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and Yahweh shall raise him up;
Matthew 8:5 And when Yah’shua was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Sovereign, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Yah’shua saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Sovereign, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Yah’shua heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13 And Yah’shua said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. (Also see Luke 7:1-10).
Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Yah’shua turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Acts 14:8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked: 9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
Lastly, anointing with oil is positively referenced in Scriptures and tied to healing and spiritual matters. We have already concluded that Yahweh’s Holy Anointing Oil could be used to heal a saint who is sick as long as that saint has faith. With anointing tied to healing and spiritual matters, it makes sense that Yahweh’s Holy Anointing Oil could be used for other types of spiritual healing. Examples of use would include fasting, prayer, burial, and as a means of refreshing or invigorating our bodies.
HalleluYah
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