Anoint

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An indispensable commodity in the Ancient Near East for food, medicine, fuel, and ritual. Oil was considered a blessing given by God (Deuteronomy 11:14 ), and the olive tree was a characteristic of the land which God gave to Israel (Deuteronomy 8:8 ). Oil was regarded as a symbol of honor (Judges 9:9 ), while virtue was compared to perfumed oil (Song of Solomon 1:3 ; Ecclesiastes 7:1 ). The abundance of oil was a demonstration of blessing and prosperity (Job 29:6 ); Joel 2:24 ). Oil was a symbol of joy and gladness (Psalm 45:7 ), and in time of sorrow, anointing with oil was not practiced (2 Samuel 14:2 ).

Oil has three principal uses among the Hebrew: 
(1) As medicine, oil or ointment was used in the treatment
To anoint the body so as to mollify the skin, heal injuries, and strengthen muscles (Psalm 104:15; Psalm 109:18; Psalm 141:5; Isaiah 1:6; Luke 10:34; 2 Chronicles 28:15; Mark 6:13; James 5:14)
(2) oil was used in the preparation of food
Oil was used with meal in the preparation of cakes (Numbers 11:8 ; 1 Kings 17:12-16 ) and with honey (Ezekiel 16:13 ), flour (Leviticus 2:1 ,Leviticus 2:1,2:4 ), and wine (Revelation 6:6 ).
(3) Oil was used as fuel for lamps, both in homes (Matthew 25:3 ) and in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:6 ).

In the sanctuary oil served the three purposes: 
 (1) anointing the priests and holy things, 
Several persons in the Old Testament were anointed with oil: kings (1 Samuel 10:1 ; 1 Samuel 16:13 ), priests (Leviticus 8:30 ), and possibly prophets (1 Kings 19:16 ; Isaiah 61:1 ). Some objects were also anointed in dedication to God: the tabernacle and all its furniture (Exodus 40:9-11 ), the shields of soldiers (2 Samuel 1:21 ; Isaiah 21:5 ), altars (Leviticus 8:10-11 ), and pillars (Genesis 35:14 ).
(2) as food in the bloodless offerings (minchah), 
The offering of oil on the altar was the offerer's acknowledgment that all his spiritual gifts were from Jehovah. Meat offerings were mingled or anointed with oil (Leviticus 7:10; Leviticus 7:12); but the sin offering and the offering of jealousy were without oil (Leviticus 5:11; Numbers 5:15).
(3) it kept alive the lights in "the pure candlestick," "the lamp of God" (1 Samuel 3:3) in the   holy place. The "beaten oil" for the sanctuary light was made from olives bruised in a mortar.

Olive oil
Olive oil was an important part of Jewish culture because of its many uses. Because of its centrality to much of Jewish life, olive oil was sometimes used as a symbol of richness, joy, and health (Jeremiah 31:12; Hebrews 1:9). Times of judgment were described as a season when “the olive oil fails” (Joel 1:10).
Olive oil can also be seen as a symbol of the Holy Spirit (or possibly of faith) in Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1–13). The five wise virgins in the wedding party had made sure they had olive oil for their lamps as they waited for the bridegroom to come. The five foolish virgins did not think ahead and had brought no oil. As the bridegroom drew near, the five foolish virgins begged the wise ones for some of their oil. But the wise virgins could not spare any. While the foolish virgins were out buying more oil, the bridegroom came, and their chance to join the wedding celebration was gone forever.

Jesus gave the point of the parable: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13). At the end of the age, when Jesus comes back, some will be ready for His arrival (illustrated by the wise virgins who had olive oil); others will not be ready (symbolized by the foolish virgins who had no oil). Considering the olive oil as a symbol of the Holy Spirit (or of faith), we could say that only those who have the Spirit (or faith in Christ) are truly ready for Jesus’ second coming.

Not every reference to olive oil in the Bible is symbolic, of course. But there are passages in which olive oil can be a picture of the Holy Spirit, the One who sanctifies us, fills us, readies us to see Christ, and brings us light, joy, and spiritual health.

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