“Being anointed” is a religious ceremony that involves being smeared, rubbed, or poured with oil to make someone or something sacred. In the Bible, anointing was a symbol that God had chosen and sanctified or set apart the person (or entity) for a holy mission. You may have heard the phrase “touch not the Lord’s anointed” when someone criticizes or speaks negatively about a Christian leader. What is the anointed one meaning in the Bible?
The Bible speaks of God’s anointing[1] several times and in various ways. Understanding its meaning as a symbol of God’s favor will help you appreciate and value anointing.
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What Is The Meaning Of “Anointed”?
The English word “anoint” is derived from the Greek word chrio, which means “to smear or rub oil,” and the Greek word “aleipho,” which means “to anoint.” The act of anointing or being anointed is smearing or rubbing oil as part of a religious ceremony to make someone or something sacred.
Masah [j;v’m], the Hebrew word for “anoint,” has varied connotations such as rubbing oil on a shield (Isa 21:5), smearing paint on a house (Jeremiah 22:14), or anointing the body with oil (Am 6:6 ). Thus, the Hebrew term mashach meant “to anoint or smear with oil.”
Ceremonial anointing was a physical act in which sacred oil was smeared, rubbed, or poured on someone’s head (or on an object) as a symbol that God had chosen and sanctified or set apart the person (or entity) for a specific holy purpose.
Where Was “Anointed” Used In The Bible?
Several events in the Old Testament show that anointing was viewed as smearing, rubbing, or pouring scared oil on someone’s head (or an object) to represent that God has chosen and set apart the person. It also means that anointing was used to empower and protect people.
Psalm 20:6 says that leaders such as kings, priests, and prophets were anointed with oil for spirituality so that God’s presence and favor would be with and upon them. “The LORD gives victory to His anointed; He answers him from His heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of His right hand…”
God told Samuel to anoint David as king of Israel while he was still a young shepherd. The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David’s life from that day forward when Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him (1 Samuel 16:13; Psalm 89:20).
“Touch not the Lord’s anointed one,” according to the Old Testament, referring to physical harm (see Psalm 105:15). Despite his opposition to Saul, David refuses to harm or kill him, for David acknowledges that God anointed Saul as the king of Israel.
In the following Bible verses, “anointed” means to receive protection from God. 1 Chronicles 16:21–22 reads “He allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, saying, ‘Touch not my anointed ones! Do my prophets no harm!’” and James 5:14 reads “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the church’s elders, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
Anointing was also performed to empower people. Acts 10:38 says, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
God the Father anointed Jesus, according to Acts 4:27. Jesus Christ reveals Himself as our anointed King, Priest, and Prophet. He is the Messiah, God’s Holy and Chosen Son. When the New Testament refers to Jesus Christ, it implies He is “Jesus the Messiah,” which literally means “Jesus the Anointed One.”
Jesus Christ, who was anointed by God, was tasked with proclaiming good news to the poor. Luke 4:18 says, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to declare freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, release the oppressed, and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Who Is The “Anointed One” In The Bible?
The Hebrew word “mashiyach,” or Messiah, is Jesus, the ultimate anointed one. As seen in the daily Bible verse, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to declare release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set the oppressed free” (Luke 4:18 NRSV).
Peter also revealed Jesus’ anointing in Acts 10:38, “And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus did good and healing because God was with him.”
The Messiah, or Jesus, the Lord’s anointed one, was sent to save humanity, and this salvation came about through his death and resurrection. He showed his messiahship by healing and preaching to people.
Kings, priests, and prophets called by God were also anointed, such as Moses, King Solomon, and David. Christians are also known as anointed ones because we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Corinthians 1:21–22).
What Does It Mean To Be “Anointed”?
The phrase “anointed one” is used in the Bible, referring to a person who has received a special calling. To be anointed is to set apart, empower, or protect believers. God’s calling isn’t about showing off how great we are but about stewarding God’s gifts to us to build up others and carry out special tasks to accomplish His purposes.
Anointing means applying oil or ointment to a person. Ceremonial anointing was a physical act involving smearing, rubbing, or pouring sacred oil on someone’s head. In the Church today, olive oil consecrated for religious purposes is used in various religious ceremonies, including administration to the sick.
What Does It Mean To Be Anointed By God?
When God anoints someone, it means that person has a unique calling and a specific set of abilities to fulfill God’s purpose and bring glory to him. “Touch not my anointed ones” is a promise from God that no harm will come to those who have favor and that they will be successful in their endeavors through God’s power and will.
You have been filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit when God anoints you. The Lord has declared a purpose in your life that can only be fulfilled if you live in the power of the Holy Ghost. This entails daily surrender, filling, and obedience to his plans and purposes. Every day, all day, not just once.
Being anointed by God means his divine power has granted us everything that pertains to life and godliness. We are filled with God’s fullness so that you can faithfully and devotedly do his work in this world.
How Does One Become Anoint By God?
There are various ways to be anointed by God. According to Galatians 3:27, we are called when we are baptized into Christ and clothed with Christ. We can come before God clothed in Christ, and He will see the righteousness and purity of Jesus within us.
If you accept and believe in Jesus, you can be certain that He, who has all power in heaven and earth, has anointed you. If you haven’t already, put your faith in Jesus. Also, simply becoming a Christian anoints you. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me will do the works that I do, and greater works than these he will do because I go to My Father” (John 14:12).
As Christians, we should not be ashamed of our faith in the Lord if we want to be anointed. “For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” If you genuinely believe in the Lord, you must intensively practice your faith and openly proclaim God.
Simply remaining in Jesus will keep the anointing of salvation. “Remain in me, and I will remain in you,” He said. The best way to abide in Jesus is to maintain a joyful attitude and remain in His presence.
Conclusion
“Touch not my anointed,” God said in the Bible. This means that when you are anointed, you are unique, and God promises that no one can harm you and that you will become successful in your endeavors because of his Holy Spirit.
Are you living your life as a God-anointed Christian? Accepting Christ and living for His glory and purpose brings genuine happiness and fulfillment to anointed Christians. With His Spirit, Jesus calls every believer, allowing us to taste how valuable He is. This anointing will assist you in living a holy life, being strengthened within, being led by God, having joy and hope, receiving spiritual gifts, and bearing spiritual fruit.
