When you hear the word anointed, what comes to mind? Perhaps a picture of oil being poured gently over someone’s head, or maybe you think of pastors, kings, or prophets set apart for God’s work. The truth is, anointing is one of the most powerful and beautiful themes in Scripture. It’s not just about oil. It’s about God’s presence, His choosing, His power, and His purpose for a person’s life.
In this article, we’ll walk together through the meaning of anointing in the Bible, its historical practice, its spiritual significance, and how you and I can live in the power of God’s anointing today.
The Meaning of Anointed in the Bible
The word anointed comes from the Hebrew word “mashach” and the Greek word “chrio”, both meaning to smear, rub, or pour oil on someone. In biblical times, anointing was more than a ritual; it symbolized being chosen and empowered by God for a special purpose.
When the Bible says someone was anointed, it didn’t just mean they smelled nice with fragrant oil. It meant they were set apart, sanctified, and equipped by God. Kings were anointed to rule, prophets to speak God’s word, priests to serve in His presence, and even ordinary people were anointed for healing or special tasks.
To be anointed meant God’s hand rested upon you, and His Spirit filled you for what He called you to do.
Old Testament Examples of Anointing
The Old Testament gives us vivid pictures of what it means to be anointed.
Priests were anointed: Aaron, the brother of Moses, was anointed with oil as the first high priest of Israel (Exodus 29:7). His sons were also anointed to serve in God’s holy tabernacle.
Kings were anointed: Perhaps the most famous is David. The prophet Samuel poured oil on David’s head when he was just a shepherd boy. From that day forward, Scripture says, “the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David” (1 Samuel 16:13).
Prophets were anointed: Elijah was commanded to anoint Elisha as prophet in his place (1 Kings 19:16). This marked Elisha as God’s chosen messenger.
In each case, oil was a physical sign of a spiritual reality. The anointing oil was precious, often mixed with spices and set apart as holy (Exodus 30:25–33). But more important than the oil was the Spirit of God, who came upon the anointed person with wisdom, strength, and authority.
The Anointing and the Holy Spirit
The Bible makes a clear connection between anointing and the Holy Spirit. Oil was the symbol, but the Spirit was the reality.
When David was anointed, Scripture says God’s Spirit rushed upon him. When Jesus was baptized, the Spirit descended on Him like a dove, marking Him as the Anointed One, the Christ.
In fact, the very title “Christ” means the Anointed One. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of all Old Testament anointings. He is Prophet, Priest, and King, chosen and empowered by God to bring salvation to the world.
This means that when we talk about anointing in the Bible, we are really talking about God’s Spirit filling and empowering someone for His work.
What Does It Mean to Be Anointed?
So, what does it mean to be anointed today? Does God still anoint people? The answer is yes, but it may not look the same as in Old Testament times.
To be anointed means:
You are chosen by God. Anointing marks you as His own.
You are empowered by the Holy Spirit. God’s presence gives you wisdom, strength, and courage.
You are set apart for a purpose. Anointing isn’t for status; it’s for service.
You carry God’s blessing. An anointed life reflects God’s goodness to others.
Being anointed doesn’t necessarily mean oil is poured over you. It means God has placed His Spirit on you, enabling you to live for Him and fulfill your calling.
Anointing in the Life of Jesus
If we want to understand anointing, we must look at Jesus. From the start, He was marked as the Anointed One.
When Jesus began His ministry, He read from Isaiah in the synagogue:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18–19)
Jesus’ anointing was clear: He came with power to heal, deliver, and save. His miracles, His authority, His teaching, all flowed from the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon Him.
Through Christ, we too are invited into the same anointing. The Apostle John wrote, “You have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth” (1 John 2:20). This means every believer shares in Christ’s anointing by the Spirit.
What Is the Power of the Anointed?
One of the most important questions is: What is the power of the anointed?
The power of anointing is the power of God’s Spirit working in and through a person. Here are some ways this power is seen:
To break chains: Isaiah 10:27 says, “the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing.” Anointing brings freedom.
To heal the sick: In James 5:14, the elders are told to anoint the sick with oil and pray over them. Healing flows from God’s anointing.
To speak with boldness: The prophets and apostles spoke with authority not because of themselves, but because of God’s Spirit on them.
To serve others: True anointing is not about fame; it’s about humility and service. The Spirit equips us to bless others in Jesus’ name.
The power of the anointed life is not human strength but divine strength. It is God Himself living and working in us.
How Do You Know a Person Is Anointed?
This is a question many Christians ask: How do you know if someone is truly anointed by God?
Here are some signs:
They point to God, not themselves. Anointed people bring glory to Christ, not to their own name.
Their life bears fruit. Jesus said, “By their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:16). Love, humility, and service mark the truly anointed.
They carry God’s presence. You sense peace, conviction, or encouragement when you are with them.
Their ministry brings transformation. People are changed, healed, or drawn closer to God through their words and actions.
Being anointed is not about charisma or talent. It is about God’s Spirit resting on a person in a way that others can clearly see and feel.
Practical Ways We Experience Anointing Today
You may wonder, How can I experience God’s anointing in my own life? Here are some practical ways:
Through prayer: Ask God to fill you afresh with His Spirit.
Through obedience: God anoints those who are willing to walk in His ways.
Through service: When you step out to serve others, God empowers you.
Through worship: In worship, God’s presence rests on His people in a special way.
Every Christian has the Holy Spirit. But there are moments when God gives a special anointing for a specific task, whether preaching, teaching, healing, or encouraging.
Misunderstandings About Anointing
It’s important to clear up some myths about anointing.
It’s not about a title. You don’t need to be a pastor or prophet to be anointed.
It’s not about emotion. Feeling goosebumps in church isn’t the same as being anointed.
It’s not a one-time event. Anointing can be renewed daily as we walk with God.
It’s not for personal gain. Anointing is always for God’s glory and the blessing of others.
Anointing is sacred and holy, not something to be treated lightly.
Anointing for Healing and Comfort
In the New Testament, James 5:14 instructs believers:
“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.”
This shows us that anointing is also a ministry of comfort and healing. Oil, prayer, and faith combine as visible acts of God’s care.
When you are anointed in prayer, it’s not magic oil that heals you. It is the presence of God, symbolized through the oil, that brings comfort, strength, and sometimes miraculous healing.
Living an Anointed Life
Ultimately, to live an anointed life is to live surrendered to God. It means allowing His Spirit to guide you, empower you, and use you for His purposes.
An anointed life is not always easy. It may bring challenges, opposition, or sacrifice. But it is also full of joy, peace, and the assurance that God’s hand is upon you.
When you live in God’s anointing:
Your words carry weight.
Your prayers touch heaven.
Your service blesses others.
Your life reflects Christ.
This is what the world needs today, not just talented people, but anointed people who shine with God’s Spirit.
Final Reflection
So, what is anointed in the Bible? It is being chosen, set apart, and filled with God’s Spirit for His purpose. It is the oil of the Old Testament, the power of the Spirit in the New Testament, and the presence of Christ in us today.
To be anointed is to walk in God’s favor and serve in His strength. You don’t have to be famous, wealthy, or highly educated. If you belong to Christ, you already share in His anointing.
Let us, then, pray daily: “Lord, anoint me afresh with Your Spirit. Use me for Your glory.”
Because an anointed life is not about us, it’s about Jesus, the Anointed One, living through us.
