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    Anoint (Chriō)

    χρίω (chriō)

    To smear with oil — consecrating a person for sacred office and divine empowerment.

    Greek
    Strong's G5548
    Pronunciation: KHREE-oh
    Quick Answer

    Chriō is the Greek word for anoint, meaning to smear or rub with oil. It is the root of Christos (Christ) — 'the Anointed One.' Anointing signifies divine selection, consecration, and empowerment for service.

    "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor." — Luke 4:18 (KJV)

    Key Verses

    Luke 4:18

    “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor.”
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    Acts 10:38

    “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power.”
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    1 John 2:27

    “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you.”
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    Strong's Concordance

    Strong's G5548 — Anoint (Chriō) (χρίω (chriō))

    Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where χρίω (chriō) appears.

    Open Strong's G5548

    Etymology and Original Meaning

    Chriō means 'to anoint' — to apply oil or ointment by smearing or rubbing. The Hebrew equivalent mashach gives us Mashiach (Messiah). Both Messiah and Christ mean 'the Anointed One.' Anointing was a physical act with spiritual significance: oil poured on the head symbolized the Holy Spirit poured upon the person — selecting, consecrating, and empowering them for their calling.

    Anointing in the Old Testament

    Three offices were anointed in Israel: priests (Exodus 29:7), kings (1 Samuel 16:13), and sometimes prophets (1 Kings 19:16). Anointing set a person apart for sacred service. When Samuel anointed David, 'the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward' (1 Samuel 16:13). The oil was visible; the Spirit's empowerment was the invisible reality it represented.

    Jesus, the Anointed One

    Jesus is the ultimate Anointed One — prophet, priest, and king united in one person. At His baptism, the Spirit descended on Him (Luke 3:22) — His public anointing. In Nazareth, He declared, 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me' (Luke 4:18). Jesus is not one of many anointed servants but the Anointed One — the Christ, the Messiah, the fulfillment of all three offices.

    The Believer's Anointing

    John teaches that believers have received 'an anointing' that 'abideth in you' (1 John 2:27). Paul says God 'hath anointed us' (2 Corinthians 1:21). Through the Holy Spirit, every believer shares in Christ's anointing — empowered for service, consecrated for God's purposes, and taught by the Spirit. The anointing that rested on Christ now rests on His people.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does anoint mean in the Bible?

    Anoint (chriō) means to smear with oil, symbolizing divine selection, consecration, and empowerment. It is the root of Christ (Christos) — 'the Anointed One.' Anointing represents the Holy Spirit's empowerment for service.

    Why is Jesus called Christ?

    Christ (Christos) means 'the Anointed One' — from chriō, to anoint. Jesus is the ultimate anointed prophet, priest, and king, empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill all three offices perfectly.

    Which Bible verse uses the word "Anoint (Chriō)"?

    Luke 4:18 — "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor" (KJV). It also appears in Acts 10:38, 1 John 2:27.

    Why does the Greek word behind "Anoint (Chriō)" matter?

    Chriō means 'to anoint' — to apply oil or ointment by smearing or rubbing. English uses one word, "Anoint (Chriō)", where the Greek χρίω (chriō) carries the fuller sense: to smear with oil — consecrating a person for sacred office and divine empowerment.

    Related Words

    Christology
    Holy
    Spirit
    Seal

    Related Reading

    Continue your study with related content from across our library:

    Word Meaning

    Anointing (מָשַׁח (Mashach) / χρίω (Chriō))

    The application of oil as a sign of God's choosing, empowering, and consecrating

    Word Meaning

    Anoint (Chriō) (χρίω (chriō))

    To smear with oil — consecrating a person for sacred office and divine empowerment.

    Strong's

    Strong's G5548 — Anoint (Chriō)

    χρίω (chriō) • To smear with oil — consecrating a person for sacred office and divine empowerment.

    Dream Meaning

    Biblical Meaning of Oil in a Dream (KJV)

    The Holy Spirit, anointing, and readiness.

    Devotional

    Isaiah 61:1-2 — Meaning & Devotional

    The Anointed One's Mission

    Strong's

    Strong's H4899 — Messiah

    מָשִׁיחַ (mashiach) • The Anointed One — God's chosen deliverer and king.

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