Anointer: The One Who Smears or Rubs with Oil
Anointer is a noun form of the verb anoint, which means to smear or rub with oil, typically as part of a religious ceremony. Anointing is a practice that dates back to ancient times and is found in various cultures and religions. Anointing can have different purposes and meanings, such as:
- Consecrating or sanctifying someone or something as holy or sacred . For example, in Christianity, priests and kings are anointed with oil as a sign of their divine office and authority. In Judaism, the Messiah (meaning “anointed one”) is the expected king and deliverer of Israel. In Islam, anointing is done after death for burial.
- Healing or soothing someone who is sick or injured . For example, in the Bible, Jesus and his disciples anointed the sick with oil and prayed for their recovery (Mark 6:13). In some cultures, anointing is also used to ward off evil spirits or diseases.
- Beautifying or preparing someone for a special occasion . For example, in ancient Egypt, people anointed themselves with perfumed oils as part of their daily hygiene and cosmetics. In the Bible, Esther underwent a year of beauty treatments with oil and spices before she was presented to the king (Esther 2:12).
- Nominating or choosing someone as a successor or a leading candidate for a position . For example, in politics, anointing can mean endorsing or supporting someone as the preferred choice of a party or a group. In sports, anointing can mean praising or hyping someone as the best or the most promising player in a team or a league.
Anointer can also be used as an adjective to describe someone who has been anointed or who performs anointing. For example, an anointed king is one who has been formally named as the ruler of a country. An anointed priest is one who has been ceremonially conferred with a holy office. An anointer of arrows is one who smears the tips of their arrows with poison .
Anointing in Different Religions
Anointing is not exclusive to one religion, but rather a common practice in many faiths and traditions. Different religions may have different beliefs and rituals regarding the meaning, purpose, and substance of anointing. Here are some examples of how anointing is used in different religions:
- In Christianity, anointing is a sacrament that confers grace and healing to the sick and the elderly. It is also a symbol of the Holy Spirit and the consecration of priests, kings, and prophets. The oil used for anointing is called chrism, which is olive oil mixed with balsam or other fragrances. Some Christian groups claim to have a continuity of the holy anointing oil prepared by Moses in the Old Testament.
- In Judaism, anointing was a sign of God’s favor and election of certain individuals, such as priests, kings, and prophets. The oil used for anointing was made of olive oil and various spices, according to the recipe given by God to Moses in Exodus 30:22-33. The Messiah (meaning “anointed one”) is the expected king and deliverer of Israel who will be anointed by God. Anointing is also done after death for burial.
- In Islam, anointing is a sunnah (recommended practice) that involves applying perfume or oil to the body or clothes before prayer, on Fridays, or on special occasions such as weddings or Eid festivals. Anointing is also done after death for burial, as well as before entering the sacred mosque in Mecca. The oil used for anointing can be any kind of perfume or oil, but musk is preferred. Anointing is considered a form of cleanliness and beautification that pleases God and his angels.
- In Hinduism, anointing is a part of various rituals and ceremonies that involve applying oil, ghee (clarified butter), yogurt, milk, honey, or other substances to the body or to idols of gods and goddesses. Anointing is done for purification, protection, blessing, worship, or initiation. The substance used for anointing depends on the occasion and the deity involved. Anointing is also done after death for cremation.
- In Buddhism, anointing is a part of various rituals and ceremonies that involve applying water, oil, sandalwood paste, or other substances to the body or to statues of buddhas and bodhisattvas (enlightened beings). Anointing is done for purification, healing, empowerment, devotion, or consecration. The substance used for anointing depends on the tradition and the purpose involved. Anointing is also done after death for cremation or burial.
These are just some examples of how anointing is used in different religions. Anointing can have various meanings and functions depending on the context and the intention of the anointer and the anointed. However, in general, anointing can be seen as a way of expressing reverence, gratitude, love, and connection with the divine.