Among the many uses of olive oil in ancient times was its use as an anointing oil. In fact, olive oil continues to be prominently used in religious ceremonies in the Jewish and Christian churches to this very day.
Normal olive oil can become anointing oil once it has been consecrated, or prayed over and set apart. As a king and priest in Christ (Revelation 1:6), a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), you can pray over the oil and set it apart to be holy.
Olive oil can be used as a holy anointing oil after being blest; after receiving a blessing from a Catholic priest. The difference is olive oil not blest is only something good for the physical body. Such olive oil has been used externally to sooth joints and the skin.
The anointing oil can be made from olive oil, coconut oil, or other natural oil. The ingredients are essential because they were given to Moses directly by God. They symbolize God's healing power.
The olive branch is often used as a symbol of peace, and the olive tree is used in scripture as a symbol of the house of Israel (see Jacob 5). Olive oil can also symbolize the Savior's Atonement, since the bitter olive, when crushed, provides oil that is sweet. Bible Dictionary, “Anoint.”
It was scented olive oil that was chosen to be a holy anointing oil for the Israelites.
During a special rite, the archbishop will bless three different oils to be used in sacraments. He'll bless holy chrism, the oil of catechumens, and the oil of the sick.
In Scripture, sandalwood is referred to as “aloes” and is called one of the oils of joy and gladness along with frankincense, myrrh and cedarwood. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea brought sandalwood (aloes) and myrrh to bury Jesus, and in today's market, the amount of oils used would be worth an estimated $200,000.
Chrism, also called myrrh, myron, holy anointing oil, and consecrated oil, is a consecrated oil used in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Assyrian, Nordic Lutheran, Anglican, Old Catholic, and Latter Day Saint churches in the administration of certain sacraments and ecclesiastical functions.
Deuteronomy 28:38–40
You shall have olive trees throughout all your territory, but you shall not anoint yourself with the oil; for your olives shall drop off. The “seed” here refers to grain and in the “vineyards”, you have wine.
Olive oil has long been considered sacred. The olive branch was often a symbol of abundance, glory, and peace. Over the years, the olive has also been used to symbolize wisdom, fertility, power, and purity.
Extensive use of olive oil and olive leaves is cited in the Holy Bible as a natural healer. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said “Eat olive oil and massage it over your bodies since it is a holy (Mubarak) tree”.
Canon 1003 §1 of the Code of Canon Law states: “Every priest, and only a priest, validly administers the anointing of the sick.” The fact that only priests can give the anointing of the sick was infallibly defined at the Council of Trent (Canons Concerning Extreme Unction 4).
We recommend putting the Anointing Oils on the soft areas of your body, such as your neck, the heart, temples, third eye and on your wrists and palms for inhalation. Apply 4-6 times a day or every 4 hours, each time, visualizing and reaffirming your intention.
Olive oil contains antioxidants, including vitamin E. Antioxidants help calm redness and irritation caused by acne or psoriasis. They also protect against free radicals that can lead to wrinkles and premature aging of the skin.
Frankincense is known as the “Oil of Truth”. The aroma of Frankincense assists in reducing our stress and bringing us to a deeper meditative state. As we release our day-to-day feelings, insecurities, and fears, we open ourselves to the spiritual realm of connection with the Self.
Olive oil is what we use in our home. Anointing of oil is used and talked about much in Scripture- in both the Old and New Testaments. Oil symbolism was used throughout the Bible. Oil often signifies blessing and stability.
In Exodus 30, God detailed the spices that were to be mixed with pure olive oil for the holy anointing oil. This oil was to be used only in the service of the Tabernacle and the Temple. In fact, God expressly commanded the people not to replicate the oil.
Oil Symbolism in the Old Testament
It seems, at first glance at the Old Testament, that olive oil (or anointing oil) had predominantly a religious purpose.
There are two types of anointing in the Bible: a physical anointing with oil or ointment and an inner anointing with the Holy Spirit. Anointing oil in the Bible was customarily made with olive oil, which was abundant in ancient Israel.
There is something unique about the anointing oil. It is recorded in the Bible that when the anointing oil was poured over individuals, their lives were changed and they began to embark upon extraordinary exploits. The oil released the power and presence of the Holy Spirit into their lives.
The “chrism oil” uses olives harvested from two groves on the Mount of Olives, a mountain ridge to the east of Jerusalem's Old City. The mysterious anointing ceremony, known as the Act of Consecration, will take place before the investiture and crowning, and is carried out by the Archbishop.
In preparation to see the King, Esther went through a purification using oil of myrrh for six months and sweet odours for six months. The sweet fragrance of Queen Esther and Myrrh represent our need to purify our hearts to become the Bride the Lord finds favor with when He returns.