Anointed One, Anointed Ones

In the Bible, “anointing” generally refers to pouring oil on the skin or on someone’s head (see Anoint). This article focuses specifically on the individuals whom the Bible refers to as God’s anointed one or anointed ones.

The Old Testament often speaks about people being anointed. This happens in stories that describe the act of anointing. It also appears in passages that describe a person’s role as having received the anointing (see, for example, Leviticus 4:3, which speaks of the “anointed priest”). The king of Israel is also referred to as the Lord's “anointed” (1 Samuel 16:6).

Some passages speak about an anointed person in a more personal way. For example, 1 Samuel 2:10 says that the Lord “will exalt the horn of His anointed.” This term is used especially for King David. It is also used for his descendant (a future son in his royal line) who would receive God’s promises (Psalm 2:2; Daniel 9:25–26; see also Messiah, meaning “anointed one”).

King Cyrus, whom God chose to free his people and help rebuild Jerusalem, is also called the Lord’s “anointed” (Isaiah 45:1). This use is unique.

The plural form, “anointed ones,” is rare. It refers to people with special roles. For example, it can refer to the patriarchs (early ancestors of Israel), as in 1 Chronicles 16:22, where God calls them “my anointed ones.” It can also refer to Zerubbabel (the governor of Judah after the exile) and Joshua (the high priest at that time). Zechariah 4:14 calls them “the two anointed ones who are standing beside the Lord of all the earth.”

In some cases, such as Cyrus and Zerubbabel, “anointed” does not mean that oil was actually poured on them. Instead, it means that God chose them for an important mission for his people. However, this term is not usually used for all of God’s people or for those who are simply faithful to him (compare “saints,” meaning God’s holy people, in Psalm 16:3).

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is shown as having three important roles:

prophet (someone who speaks for God),

priest (someone who helps people connect with God), and

king (a ruler who leads people).

Jesus is God’s Anointed One. The English word “Messiah” comes from the Hebrew word meaning “anointed one.” The English word “Christ” comes from the Greek word meaning “anointed one.”

There is no record that Jesus of Nazareth was anointed with oil on his head as a prophet, king, or high priest. In fact, the leaders who opposed him did not recognize him in any of these roles.

However, God chose him, and his anointing was spiritual (done by God’s Spirit, not by oil; see Psalms 2:2; Daniel 9:25–26). At his baptism, John the Baptist (a prophet sent by God) saw the Holy Spirit come down on Jesus. God then showed that Jesus is the Messiah (the promised “anointed one”; John 1:32–51).

People soon saw that God was with Jesus and was working through him by the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:33–37). Jesus himself said that he fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 61:1. He is God's anointed one, sent to preach the good news (the message of salvation) and to help his people (Luke 4:1, 18–19).

The New Testament says that the disciples of Jesus are also anointed, even though they do not have the same role as he does. This is important. Under the new covenant (God’s new agreement with his people), all of Christ’s followers receive the Holy Spirit. The Spirit teaches them and works in them and through them. In this way, they learn to live according to God’s will (2 Corinthians 1:21–22; 1 John 2:20, 27).

See also Anoint; Anointing Oil; Messiah.