Anointing oil has been used since biblical times as a sacred way to sanctify, protect, and heal. The anointing oil in the Bible was usually made from a mixture of olive oil and spices, and was used for ceremonial purposes such as anointing kings and prophets. It was also used as a medicinal ointment for healing the sick.
The most famous instance of anointing oil in the Bible is when Jesus was anointed by a woman at Simon the leper’s house (Mark 14:3–9; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8; Matthew 26:6-13). This woman poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ head, and the disciples were indignant. But Jesus said she was anointing him for his burial.
Bible Verses on Anointing Oil
- James 5:14 This Bible verse says the church elders should anoint the sick with oil and pray for healing.
- Mark 6:13 The disciples of Jesus Christ anointed the sick with oil to heal them in this biblical reference.
- Exodus 40:9 The LORD commands the temple to be consecrated with holy anointing oil in this scripture verse.
- Exodus 30:31-33 In this Bible verse about anointing oil, Moses gives strict rules for not making holy oil.
- 1 John 2:27 Jesus says his teaching is like anointing oil for Christians.
- Matthew 6:17 Jesus says to anoint your head with oil when you fast in this Bible verse.
- Hebrews 1:9 This scripture passage about anointing says God has given the oil of gladness.
- Acts 10:38 Jesus Christ was anointed with the Holy Spirit according to this biblical reference verse.
- Exodus 30:22-28 Moses records the recipe for Holy Anointing Oil King James Version KJV in the Book of Exouds.
- 1 Samuel 10:1 This is another common Bible verse on being anointed by holy oil.
- Luke 7:46 Jesus praises Mary when she anointed his feet.
- Jesus Anointed at Bethany is a classic scripture passage in the New Testament about anointing.
James 5:14 This Bible verse says the church elders should anoint the sick with oil and pray for healing.
James 5:14
(ESV) Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
(KJV) 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 the Lord:
(MSG) Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master.
(NIV) 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.
(NLT) Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.
Mark 6:13 The disciples of Jesus Christ anointed the sick with oil to heal them in this biblical reference.
Mark 6:13
(ESV) And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
(KJV) And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
(MSG) right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits.
(NIV) They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
(NLT) And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.
Exodus 40:9 The LORD commands the temple to be consecrated with holy anointing oil in this scripture verse.
Exodus 40:9
(ESV) “Then you shall take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and consecrate it and all its furniture, so that it may become holy.
(KJV) And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.
(MSG) “Then take the anointing oil and anoint The Dwelling and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings so that it becomes holy.
(NIV) “Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy.
(NLT) “Take the anointing oil and anoint the Tabernacle and all its furnishings to consecrate them and make them holy.
Exodus 30:31-33 In this Bible verse about anointing oil, Moses gives strict rules for not making holy oil.
Exodus 30:31
(ESV) And you shall say to the people of Israel, ‘This shall be my holy anointing oil throughout your generations.
(KJV) And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.
(MSG) Tell the Israelites, ‘This will be my holy anointing oil throughout your generations.’
(NIV) Say to the Israelites, ‘This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come.
(NLT) And say to the people of Israel, ‘This holy anointing oil is reserved for me from generation to generation.
Exodus 30:32
(ESV) It shall not be poured on the body of an ordinary person, and you shall make no other like it in composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy to you.
(KJV) 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.
(MSG) Don’t pour it on ordinary men. Don’t copy this mixture to use for yourselves. It’s holy; keep it holy.
(NIV) Do not pour it on anyone else’s body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred.
(NLT) It must never be used to anoint anyone else, and you must never make any blend like it for yourselves. It is holy, and you must treat it as holy.
1 John 2:27 Jesus says his teaching is like anointing oil for Christians.
1 John 2:27
(ESV) But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
(KJV) But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
(MSG) But they’re no match for what is embedded deeply within you—Christ’s anointing, no less! You don’t need any of their so-called teaching. Christ’s anointing teaches you the truth on everything you need to know about yourself and him, uncontaminated by a single lie. Live deeply in what you were taught.
(NIV) As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
(NLT) But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.
Matthew 6:17 Jesus says to anoint your head with oil when you fast in this Bible verse.
Matthew 6:17
(ESV) But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
(KJV) But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
(MSG) If you ‘go into training’ inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face.
(NIV) But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,
(NLT) But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.
Hebrews 1:9 This scripture passage about anointing says God has given the oil of gladness.
Hebrews 1:9
(ESV) You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
(KJV) Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
(MSG) You love it when things are right; you hate it when things are wrong. That is why God, your God, poured fragrant oil on your head, Marking you out as king, far above your dear companions.
(NIV) You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
(NLT) You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”
Acts 10:38 Jesus Christ was anointed with the Holy Spirit according to this biblical reference verse.
Acts 10:38
(ESV) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
(KJV) How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
(MSG) Then Jesus arrived from Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, ready for action. He went through the country helping people and healing everyone who was beaten down by the Devil. He was able to do all this because God was with him.
(NIV) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
(NLT) And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Exodus 30:22-28 Moses records the recipe for Holy Anointing Oil King James Version KJV in the Book of Exouds.
Exodus 30:22-38 KJV Moreover the LORD 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 two hundred and fifty shekels, (24) And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: (25) And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil. (26) And thou shalt anoint 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 Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office. (31) And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil 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. (34) And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: (35) And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: (36) And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy. (37) And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD. (38) Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.
1 Samuel 10:1 This is another common Bible verse on being anointed by holy oil.
1 Samuel 10:1
(ESV) Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the LORD and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the LORD has anointed you to be prince over his heritage.
(KJV) Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?
(MSG) Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, and kissed him. He said, “Do you see what this means? GOD has anointed you prince over his people. “This sign will confirm GOD’s anointing of you as prince over his inheritance:
(NIV) Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over his inheritance?
(NLT) Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul and said, “I am doing this because the LORD has appointed you to be the ruler over Israel, his special possession.
Luke 7:46 Jesus praises Mary when she anointed his feet.
Luke 7:46
(ESV) You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.
(KJV) My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
(MSG) You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume.
(NIV) You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.
(NLT) You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.
Jesus Anointed at Bethany is a classic scripture passage in the New Testament about anointing.
(Mark 14:1–9; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8; Matthew 26:6-13)
FAQ about Anointing Oil in the Bible
Answer:
The anointing with holy oil is a practice that has its roots in the Bible. In the Old Testament, we see examples of God commanding his people to anoint objects and people with oil. For example, in Exodus 30:22-25, God tells Moses to anoint the tabernacle and everything in it with oil. This act was symbolic of sanctifying these objects and setting them apart for God’s use.
Similarly, in Leviticus 8:10-12, we see that Aaron and his sons were commanded to be washed with water and then anointed with oil. This too was a symbol of setting them apart for God’s service.
Answer: There were several reasons why the woman anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume. First, she was very grateful to Jesus for healing her daughter. Second, she may have wanted to show her appreciation for Jesus by giving Him a gift. Third, she may have been trying to show her love for Jesus. Fourth, she may have been trying to prepare Jesus for His burial. Fifth, the perfume may have symbolized the Holy Spirit. Sixth, the act of anointing someone’s feet was a sign of respect in that culture.
According to Exodus 30:22-23, the recipe for holy anointing oil was as follows: "Take Forrest leaves, and Aaron's rod that blossomed, and cinnamon bark that is 250 years old, and 500 shekels of myrrh, and 50 shekels of cassia--all these in equal parts.
“Mix them together, pounding them thoroughly into a paste.” This concoction was then to be poured over Aaron’s head by Moses, thus sanctifying him (and his descendants) as high priests. It was also used to consecrate the tabernacle and all its furnishings. Answer:
The Exodus recipe for holy anointing oil is a closely guarded secret known only to a select few. This sacred oil is used to anoint the tabernacle and all of its furnishings, as well as the priests who serve in it. The ingredients for this oil are listed in Exodus 30:22-25, and they include myrrh, sweet cinnamon, Kazaci bouquets and cassia. These days, you can purchase similar oils at your local Christian bookstore or online.
According to the Bible, anointing oils were meant for sacred purposes. They were often used in religious ceremonies and were believed to have spiritual power. The word “anoint” actually comes from the Hebrew word “mashach”, which means “to consecrate or set apart”. The anointing oil was usually made of olive oil, but other materials such as perfumes and spices could also be added to it. It was used for anointing both people and objects. For example, ancient Israelite kings and priests were ordained by being partially dipped in an anointing oil mixture. Objects such as the Ark of the Covenant were also anointed with this holy oil.