What is an Anointing Oil?

The Hebrew word for “anoint” is mashach, which means to smear, rub, cover, or massage with oil, and in some cases it means “to pour oil over the head or body.” Interestingly, the English word for “massage” is quite similar in meaning and pronunciation. Our English word “anoint” is derived from the ancient Latin word inunctus, which means to smear with oil. It shares the same root as the ancient Hebrew word mashiach for “Messiah” and the ancient Greek word kristos for “Christ” which literally means “anointed one.” In the New Testament, the Hebrew word Messiah only appears twice in John 1:41 and John 4:25, while the Greek word kristos or “Christ” which means “anointed one” is used 361 times. Other words and phrases used in the Scriptures such as anointing oil, ointment, spices, incense, perfumes, odors or sweet savors, aromas, or fragrances, all imply essential oils.

Yeshua (Jesus) was more accurately referred to as Jesus, the Anointed One, by his followers. In Acts 4:26 (NIV) it reads, “The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.”