Holy items, including the tabernacle itself, were also set apart or consecrated by anointing for use in worship and sacrificial ceremonies (Genesis 28:18 Exodus 30:26–29 40:9–11). God authenticated their priestly ministry with the fiery glory of His presence that consumed their offerings. From that day forward, the Spirit of the Lord rested powerfully upon David’s life (1 Samuel 16:13 Psalm 89:20).Ĭenturies before David’s time, the Lord had instructed Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve as priests (Exodus 28:41 30:30 Leviticus 8:30 10:7). While David was still a young shepherd, God told Samuel to anoint him to become king over Israel (1 Samuel 16:3).

Kings, priests, and prophets were anointed outwardly with oil to symbolize a more profound spiritual reality-that God’s presence was with them and His favor was upon them (Psalm 20:6 28:8). Using this oil for any other purpose was a serious offense carrying the penalty of being “cut off” from the community (Exodus 30:33).

The Hebrew term mashach meant “to anoint or smear with oil.” The oil used for religious anointing was carefully blended with fine spices according to a specific formula prescribed by the Lord (Exodus 30:22–32). Ceremonial anointing in the Old Testament was a physical act involving the smearing, rubbing, or pouring of sacred oil on someone’s head (or on an object) as an outward symbol that God had chosen and set apart the person (or object) for a specific holy purpose.

What does it mean to give someone head