(3) Health and Cleanliness. It is probable, however, that the Egyptians, as well as the Greeks and Jews, anointed themselves at home, before going abroad, although they expected the observance of this etiquette on the part of their entertainer. That the Jews thus anointed them selves, not only when paying a visit, but on ordinary occasions, is shown by many passages, especially those which describe the omission of it as a sign of mourning (Dent. xxviii :4o; Ruth iii :3; 2 Sam. xiv :2 ; Dan. x :3; Amos vi :6; Mic. vi :15 ; Esth. :t2; Ps. civ :15 ; Is. !xi :--;• Eccles. ix :8 ; Cant. i :3; iv :10; also Judith x:3 ; Sus. 17; Ecclus. xxxix :26; Wisd. :7). One of these passages (Ps. ctv:15, 'oil that maketh the face to shine') shows very clearly that not only thz hair but the skin was anointed. In our northern climates this usage may not strike us as a pleas ant one, but as the peculiar usages of most nations are found, on strict examination, to be in accordance with the peculiarities of their climate and condition, we may be assured that this Oriental predilection for external unction must have arisen from a belief that it con tributed materially to health and cleanliness.
Oil, by closing up the pores of the skin, is supposed to prevent that too copious transpira tion which enfeebles the frame; perhaps, too, these Arabians think a glistening skin a beauty. When the intense heat conies in, they always anoint their bodies with oil.
(4) Anointing the Sick. The Orientals are indeed strongly persuaded of the sanative prop erties of oil ; and it was under this impression that the Jews anointed the sick, and applied oil to wounds (Ps. cix ; Is. i :6; Mark vi :13; xxyi :t8; Luke x:34; James v:t4). Anointing was used in sundry disorders, as well as to pro mote the general health of the body. It was hence, as a salutary and approved medicament, that the seventy disciples were directed to 'anoint the sick' (Mark vi :13); and hence also the sick man is directed by St. James to send for the elders of the church, who were 'to pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.' The Talmudical citation of Lightfoot on Matt. vi :16. shows that the later Jews connected charms and superstitious mutterings with such anoint ings, and he is therefore probably right in un derstanding this text to mean—It is customary for the unbelieving Jews to use anointing of the sick joined with a magical and enchanting mut tering; but how infinitely better is it to join the pious prayers of the elders of the church to the anointing of the sick.'
(5) Anointing the Dead The practice of anointing the bodies of the dead is intimated in Mark xiv :1, and Luke xxiii :56. This ceremony was performed after the body was washed, and was designed to check the progress of corruption (Num. v:22; Jcr. viii:22).
Figurative. The anointing or pouring of sacred oil on the heads of persons set apart to these offices implied the gift of those qualifica tions from God which could alone fit them for their work ; and it was typical of the communi cation of the gift of the Holy Ghost to Christ, as the prophet, priest, and king of his church. Hence persons set apart to these offices were termed the Lord's anointed; and especially so, because Jesus, of whom they were lively types, was the Lord's anointed, or his Christ. This anointing of Jesus, by which he became Christ, or the anointed one, implied his call and separation to the office of Mediator, and the communication of those gifts of the Spirit beyond measure, which qualified him to be the prophet, priest, and king of his people, as well as the recipient of those ineffable communications of love which the Spirit of God, in his office as the Comforter. im parts to him (t Sam. ii :35; Ps. lxxxiv :9 ; Dan. ix :24). The anointing of Messiah was predicted (Ps. xlv :7). Ile was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows ; that is. he was called to high offices, and more abundantly filled with the Holy Spirit than any of his people; "for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him" (John iii :34). The unction with which God anointed his Son. and with which he vet anoints all his chosen people, and of which the anointing oil is typical, is the influence of the Iloly Spirit. The grace of the Spirit shed abroad in them is that unction from the Holy One, by which they know all things (1 John :20, 27). By this grace they are separated to his service (Rom. i n) ; endowed with all graces and comforts, and blessed with all spiritual activity and prosperity in the service of God (2 Cor. i :21 ; Ps. xxiii :5; xcii:10). (Brown, Bib. Diet.)