The first mention of anointing is found in Genesis 31:13 in reference to the promise of the Lord to give Jacob the land He had promised to Abraham and his descendants. With the stone on which he had slept, Jacob had set up a pillar and poured oil on it (Genesis 28:18-22).

The term anoint relates to the action of consecration, setting something apart for God for His use and His worship.

Old Testament H4886
Strong’s Concordance defines ANOINT mashach mä·shakh’  by implication, to consecrate; also to paint:

The Old Testament records the anointings of the Lord’s priests and the kings of Israel.

Everything that had to do with the worship of the Lord was anointed – the priests, the tabernacle, the table, the altar, etc. were all anointed to symbolize the sacredness and holiness of worship.

Anointings were not special only to the Israelites but to any the Lord chose to anoint.

He anointed (H4899) King Cyrus to deliver His people from their captivity (Isaiah 45:1).

Psalm 2:2 speaks of the kings and rulers of the earth who set themselves against the Lord, his anointed; his Son.

Guests were anointed at feasts.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5

The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving strength of his anointed. Psalm 28:8

I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him: Psalm 89:20

Anointings and worship in the Old Covenant were expressed through the physical elements, things that were seen and handled. Priests and kings were chosen from the one nation of Israel and anointed for service of the Lord.

New Covenant anointings and worship were spiritual under the power of the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, we see anointing based on God’s choosing His people from all nations to serve Him through salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ. The anointing is of God by His Holy Spirit, with or without oil.

New Testament G218
Strong’s Concordance defines ANOINT  aleiphō ä-lā’-fō and refers to the use of oil in anointing during Jesus’ ministry. The first of two references; the common word used for a hands-on anointing with oil or ointment.

And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. Mark 6:13

She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Mark 14:8

When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, John 9:6

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: James 5:14

G5548  chriō khrē’-ō is the sacred and religious word for anoint used in the N. T. only tropically, of God
A. consecrating Jesus to the Messianic office, and furnishing him with powers necessary for its administration
B. enduing Christians with the gifts of the Holy Spirit

Luke 4:18 is the fulfillment of the prophecy from Isaiah 61:1

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. Acts 1:38

Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 2 Corinthians 1:21

 Psalm 45:7 is the prophecy spoken of in Hebrews 1:9
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 1 John 2:27

Revelation 3:18 speaks of the Lord’s invitation for the blind to come to Him for salve to anoint their eyes that they may see.

As believers and disciples of Jesus Christ, we are anointed to be priests and kings in His kingdom (1 Peter 2:5,9;). We are set apart, consecrated for His will and service in all things pertaining to His holiness.

Dear Father in heaven, eternal God who has chosen a people for yourself from every tongue and nation, we praise you for the anointing that we have in Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, and Savior. Fill us and anoint us fresh each day by your Holy Spirit to know and to do your holy will ~ for your glory and our joy. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Fran