Anoint - The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the
Hebrews.
(1.) The act of anointing was significant of
consecration to a holy or sacred use; hence the anointing of the
high priest (Exodus 29:29; Leviticus 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Exodus
30:26). The high priest and the king are thus called "the
anointed" (Leviticus 4:3, 5, 16; 6:20; Psalms 132:10). Anointing a king
was equivalent to crowning him (1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Samuel 2:4, etc.).
Prophets were also anointed (1 Kings 19:16; 1 Chronicles 16:22; Psalms
105:15). The expression, "anoint the shield" (Isaiah 21:5), refers
to the custom of rubbing oil on the leather of the shield so as
to make it supple and fit for use in war.
(2.) Anointing was also an act of hospitality (Luke 7:38, 46).
It was the custom of the Jews in like manner to anoint
themselves with oil, as a means of refreshing or invigorating
their bodies (Deuteronomy 28:40; Ruth 3:3; 2 Samuel 14:2; Psalms 104:15,
etc.). This custom is continued among the Arabians to the
present day.
(3.) Oil was used also for medicinal purposes. It was applied
to the sick, and also to wounds (Psalms 109:18; Isaiah 1:6; Gospel of Mark
6:13; James 5:14).
(4.) The bodies of the dead were sometimes anointed (Mark
14:8; Luke 23:56).
(5.) The promised Deliverer is twice called the "Anointed" or
Messiah (Psalms 2:2; Daniel 9:25, 26), because he was anointed with
the Holy Ghost (Isaiah 61:1), figuratively styled the "oil of
gladness" (Psalms 45:7; Hebrews 1:9). According to the New Testament, Jesus of Nazareth is this
anointed One, the Messiah of the Old Testament (John 1:41; Acts 9:22; 17:2, 3; 18:5, 28).
From Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
