Anointing Oil: Sacred Fragrance in Scripture

Ointment (perfumed oil) was widely used in the hot and arid climate of ancient Palestine for skin protection and hygiene. It was produced by skilled craftsmen using olive oil as a base, and served a variety of purposes ranging from religious rituals to everyday personal grooming.

Anointing Oil: Sacred Fragrance in Scripture

This refers to fragrant oil, or scented cosmetic oil used for the body. It is also called perfume. Regarding the process of making ointment, the Law provides instructions for preparing the anointing oil reserved exclusively for the sanctuary (Exod 30:22–28), and from this we can draw inferences about how ointment for personal use may have been made.

It can be reasonably assumed that such oils were produced by skilled professional perfumers, and that olive oil served as the primary base ingredient. Ointment was used not only for religious purposes (as the sacred anointing oil of the sanctuary) but also in secular and personal contexts for bodily grooming.

In particular, it was used in hot and dry regions to mask body odor, and to protect skin that had dried out from lack of easy access to bathing, guarding against irritation and chafing. Beyond this, fragrant oil mixed with incense was applied to the hair and skin for beautification, and at times perfumed ointment was also employed for medicinal purposes.

Furthermore, pouring ointment on another person’s body was a gesture of love, respect, and devotion toward that individual. In particular, the act of pouring oil on the body (or head) — whereby the oil would gradually flow down from the head over the face and garments, spreading fragrance across the entire body (Ps 133:2) — was one of the ways that honored guests were lavishly welcomed in Jewish society.

Oil was also poured or applied to the body when consecrating individuals to sacred offices such as kings, prophets, and priests. In addition, as part of funeral rites, fragrant oil was applied to the body of the deceased to slow rapid decomposition and to reduce the odor of decay. It is worth noting that ceasing to use ointment was a sign that a person had entered a time of mourning and grief.

Source: Dictionary of Biblical Cultural Backgrounds

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