Anointing is the act of applying oil to someone or something as a religious or sacred rite.

In

the Bible, anointing is often associated with the consecration of priests and kings, as well as

with the healing of the sick.

In the Old Testament, anointing was a common practice among the Israelites. Priests and

kings were often anointed with oil as a way to set them apart for their special roles in the

community. Anointing with oil was also believed to have medicinal properties and was used

as a means of healing the sick.

In the New Testament, Jesus is described as being anointed by God to fulfill his role as the

savior of humanity. The word "Christ" is derived from the Greek word "Christos," which

means "anointed one," and Jesus is referred to as the Christ or the Messiah because he is

believed to be the fulfillment of a number of Old Testament prophecies.

Today, anointing is still practiced in some Christian churches as a way to consecrate people

for special roles or to pray for the healing of the sick. It is also sometimes used as a way to

bless objects or spaces, such as homes or churches. The use of anointing oil is often

accompanied by prayer and the laying on of hands, and is believed to be a way to invoke the

presence and power of God.