A fun and safe resource for kids, provided by Got Questions.
What does it mean to be anointed?
Great question! Here's the answer:
To be anointed means to be marked with oil either for a religious ceremony, grooming (Ruth 3:3; Matthew 6:17), refreshment (Luke 7:46), medical treatments (Luke 10:34), or burial practices (Mark 16:1).
In the Old Testament, to anoint someone was to rub, smear, or pour sacred oil on their head or on an object as a way to show that a person or an object had been divinely chosen by God for a holy purpose. The oil that was used was mixed with various fine spices. This was instructed by God Himself, as there had to be special ingredients and special instructions to set apart a person for Himself (Exodus 30:22–32). If a person used this special oil for anything apart from anointing, they would be cut off from the community (Exodus 30:33).
Before a king, priest, or prophet could take their position of power, they had to be anointed. This was an outward sign that God was with them, He would protect them, and His favor rested upon them (Psalm 20:6). We see this in the story of David. Samuel was told by God who was going to be the next king, and Samuel anointed David to become king over Israel (1 Samuel 16:3). This anointing confirmed God's decision in making David the king of Israel. No longer would the previous king reign, as God's favor had landed on David.
Prophets were also anointed, as was the case between Elijah and Elisha (1 Kings 19:16). The Lord commanded Elijah to anoint Elisha because Elijah's time was coming to an end. Elisha was anointed to be a prophet, and this, once again, was an outward sign of God's favor on a person's life. The anointing oil showed everyone that God was with him. Although we don't have oil on our heads, nor do we undergo anointing, God is still with us, and we are highly favored (Psalm 23:1–6).
Bible Truth
“Put all these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons. Then pour olive oil on them and prepare them to serve me. Set them apart to serve me as priests” (Exodus 28:41).
“So Jesse sent for his son and had him brought in. He looked very healthy. He had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, ‘Get up and anoint him. This is the one.’ So Samuel got the animal horn that was filled with olive oil. He anointed David in front of his brothers. From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully on David. Samuel went back to Ramah” (1 Samuel 16:12–13).
“'You did not put any olive oil on my head. But she has poured this perfume on my feet. So I tell you this. Her many sins have been forgiven. She has shown that she understands this by her great acts of love. But whoever has been forgiven only a little loves only a little.' Then Jesus said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven’” (Luke 7:46–48).
