The Significance of Anointing Oil

Anointing oil bottles and jasmine oil packaging displayed on a stone surface with flowers and a Holy Land backdrop.

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The Archbishop of Canterbury anointed King Charles III in May 2023.

The oil came from olives harvested on the Mount of Olives. It was consecrated in Jerusalem.

Samuel did the same to David in 1 Samuel 16:13. Same act, same reason: to mark someone as chosen.

This guide covers what the oil meant in the Bible and what churches do with it now. New to the topic? Start with what is anointing oil.

Quick answer: Anointing oil marks a person or thing as set apart for God.

One oil for 3 Jobs

Israel anointed people for three roles.

Role	Who	Where
King	David	1 Samuel 16:13
Priest	Aaron	Exodus 29:7
Prophet	Elisha	1 Kings 19:16

One catch on Elisha. God tells Elijah to anoint him, but the text never describes oil being poured.

Elijah throws his cloak over him instead (1 Kings 19:19).

The title carried weight. David had Saul at his mercy and still refused to harm him. Saul was “the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 24:6).

It even reached outsiders. Isaiah 45:1 gives the title “anointed” to Cyrus, a Persian king who was not an Israelite.

Jesus holds all three roles

In the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus reads Isaiah 61:1 and says it is about him: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me” (Luke 4:18).

Peter later says God anointed Jesus “with the Holy Spirit and power” (Acts 10:38).

Neither verse mentions oil as the anointing is the Spirit. Our anointing oil blog has more on using oil in prayer.

Oil was also for joy and hospitality

Not every use was a ceremony.

Isaiah 61:3 promises oil of joy in place of mourning.
Psalm 45:7 calls it the oil of gladness.
Psalm 23:5 shows a host anointing a guest’s head.
In Luke 7:46, Jesus points out that his host gave him no oil for his head. A woman poured perfume on his feet instead.

Gethsemane means “oil press”

Jesus prayed in Gethsemane the night before his arrest (Matthew 26:36).

The Hebrew name, gat shemanim, means “oil press.” That is where olives were crushed to get oil.

Many preachers link the pressing to what Jesus went through that night. The Gospels do not make that link themselves, but the name is real.

Our guide to the types of anointing oil in the Bible explains what each scent meant.

Oil for burial

A woman poured perfume on Jesus in Bethany. He said she was preparing his body for burial (Mark 14:8).

After his death, Nicodemus brought myrrh and aloes (John 19:39). Women went to the tomb with spices to anoint his body (Mark 16:1).

So the same oil that marked a king also marked a goodbye.

Are believers anointed too?

The New Testament says yes, with no oil involved.

John writes to ordinary believers: “you have an anointing from the Holy One” (1 John 2:20). He repeats it in verse 27.
Paul says God anointed “us” along with Christ (2 Corinthians 1:21).

The anointing here is the Holy Spirit living in the believer. The oil points to it.

How churches use oil today

Tradition	Practice	What happens
Catholic	Anointing of the Sick	A priest anoints the forehead and hands with blessed oil. It is not only for the dying, says the Catechism.
Orthodox	Chrismation	A priest anoints the newly baptized with holy oil, right after baptism. It includes the forehead, chest, hands and feet.
Protestant and non-denominational	James 5:14-15	Elders pray over the sick and anoint them with oil. Practice varies by church, so ask yours.

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10 comments

Araba Micah

August 18, 2026 at 06:20am

The information is very educative and helpful

Gabriel Jefwa

August 18, 2026 at 06:23am

Good message keep it up for Gods glory

Ryan Pienaar

August 18, 2026 at 06:39am

Hi, how are you doing? I’m here on this page for urgent help please in God’s name if I may ask how much is this holy anointing oil.

Gina Jennings

August 18, 2026 at 06:28am

Thank you for, giving me a better understanding on the holy oils I worked 11 years for a Jewish Family in a Men”s Clothing Store as Assistant Manager.. Every two years they would go to The Holy Land, They would bring me something back. I also learned some of the Jewish teachings and Language. I also spoke Spanish too, with me being African American, I was able to help them with their Spanish, I did a lot of advertising on the Radio and other forms of advertising . I also learned different tribes of Africa, there Languages, that were attending Colleges in the Town of Tyler, Texas. The Africans would bring me books from their Country, when they went home for Christmas, so I could learn the different tribes Languages, what an opportunity that was for me . God says, if we bless his people ( THE JEWISH PEOPLE ) then he will bless us. Thank You Again For Giving Me A Greater Understanding Of The Anointing Oils.