Anointing oil has been used for thousands of years across religious, cultural, and medicinal traditions. Its origins predate Christianity and are rooted in the ancient Near East, where oils—particularly olive oil—were valued for preservation, healing, and ritual use. Over time, anointing oil became deeply associated with sacred authority, consecration, and divine appointment, especially within Jewish and Christian traditions. Rather than being symbolic alone, anointing functioned as a formal act that marked people, places, and moments as set apart for God.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, anointing oil was not improvised or casual. God Himself gave Moses a precise formula for a holy anointing oil, establishing its sacred nature and limiting its use exclusively to divine purposes. In Exodus 30:22–33, the Lord instructs Moses:
“Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, two hundred and fifty, and two hundred and fifty of aromatic cane, and five hundred of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil.”
This oil was used to consecrate the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, the altar, and the priests who served there. Scripture makes clear that anything touched by this oil became holy, meaning it was removed from ordinary use and dedicated entirely to God. Replicating this sacred formula for personal or common use was strictly forbidden, underscoring the seriousness of consecration.
In modern measurements, this biblical recipe consisted of approximately twelve and a half pounds of myrrh, six and a quarter pounds each of cinnamon and aromatic cane (calamus), twelve and a half pounds of cassia, blended into roughly one and a half gallons of olive oil. Each ingredient carried meaning: myrrh was associated with sacrifice and healing, cinnamon and cassia with fragrance and warmth, aromatic cane with sweetness, and olive oil with peace, provision, and divine presence. Together, they formed an oil reserved for moments of divine appointment.
Throughout Israel’s history, anointing oil marked significant transitions. Kings were anointed publicly as a declaration of God’s choice and authority. When the prophet Samuel anointed David, Scripture records that “the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13). Anointing was not merely ceremonial; it signified empowerment, responsibility, and covenantal calling.
Beyond kingship and priesthood, oil was also used in daily life for healing and hospitality. In the ancient Mediterranean world, oil was applied to wounds, used to strengthen the body, and offered to guests as a sign of honor. These practical uses reinforced its spiritual meaning. By the time of the New Testament, anointing oil was firmly associated with prayer for healing, as seen in James 5:14: “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.”
Early Christians continued this tradition, using oil in baptism, ordination, prayer for the sick, and burial rites. Over centuries, churches formalized these practices into sacraments, while ordinary believers continued to use oil privately during times of illness, transition, or spiritual dedication. The oil itself was never viewed as possessing power independent of God; rather, it served as a tangible sign accompanying prayer and faith.
The connection between anointing oil and the New Year does not come from a direct biblical command but from historical patterns of consecration. Across cultures and civilizations, the beginning of a new cycle—whether a year, season, reign, or dwelling—was marked by purification and dedication rituals. In religious households, the New Year became a natural moment to pray over homes, doorways, families, and future plans, symbolically closing one season and dedicating the next.
Many modern believers anoint doorposts, thresholds, or living spaces at the start of a new year, drawing inspiration from biblical moments such as the consecration of the Tabernacle and the marking of doorposts during Passover (Exodus 12). While the practices differ, the intention remains consistent with historical use: acknowledging God’s authority, seeking protection, and dedicating what lies ahead.
Today’s renewed interest in anointing oil—especially around the New Year—reflects continuity rather than novelty. In times of uncertainty and transition, people often return to ancient practices that offer structure, meaning, and connection to faith traditions that have endured for generations. Anointing oil persists not because it is new, but because it is deeply embedded in religious history as a way to consecrate beginnings and acknowledge dependence on God.
A Prayer to Welcome the New Year
Heavenly Father,
As we stand at the beginning of a new year, we come before You with humility and trust. We thank You for carrying us through the year that has passed, for the lessons learned, the protection given, and the grace that sustained us even when we were unaware of it.
We ask that You go before us into this new season. We dedicate our homes, our work, our health, our relationships, and our decisions to You. Where there has been uncertainty, bring clarity. Where there has been fear, bring peace. Where there has been weariness, bring renewal.
May this year be marked by Your presence, guided by Your wisdom, and protected by Your hand. Set us apart for Your purposes, strengthen our faith, and help us walk forward with trust in what You will do.
We place the year ahead in Your care, knowing that You are faithful in every season.
Amen.
