Perfumed Oil
Any Greek or Hebrew translations are quoted from
New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D.
Thomas Nelson Publishers 1990 edition
In Exodus Chapter 30 perfumed oil was used to anoint the tabernacle. Exodus 30:25-30: And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil. And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense, And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot. And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy. This holy anointing oil was also used to anoint Aaron and his sons. Exodus 30:30: And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office. However, scripture tells us that this oil was not supposed to be used on just anyone. Exodus 30:32: Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you. Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people. This scripture also tells us that no other oil was to be made after its composition. Yet, many Christians are making and selling fragranced oil and enclosing a little piece paper with Exodus Chapter 30 written on it. They sell it for healing. Yet, the following scriptures on healing do not say you have to use perfumed oil when anointing or praying for healing; these scriptures say oil or fresh oil. Mark 6:13: And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. James 5:14: Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. Psalm 92:10: But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an [unicorn]: I shall be anointed with fresh oil. The Hebrew word for ‘fresh’ is “ra’anan meaning to be green”. Not perfumed but olive oil as in the green olive tree that David speaks about in Psalm 52:8: But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. Hebrew word for ‘green’ in Psalm 52:8 is also “ra’anan” the same Hebrew word used for ‘fresh’. Extra note: In Psalm 92:10 the word [unicorn] does not mean the mythological unicorn. It comes from the Hebrew word “rem, rame; a wild bull”. These healing scriptures say nothing about using perfumed oil to anoint people for healing.
A lot of the anointing oil being sold today contains an ingredient called myrrh. Myrrh is a perfume that is symbolic of death. Myrrh was the perfume that was given to Jesus as a gift symbolizing his inevitable death. I don’t know about you but if I go to the altar to receive prayer for healing I do not want to be anointed with anything that is symbolic of death. I am not going to the altar to be embalmed I am going to be healed! Myrrh is a perfume that was used in embalming to reduce the smell of death. In Exodus Chapter 30 perfumed oil was helpful in covering up the smell of the many animal sacrifices that were being done in the temple. Today we no longer have animal sacrifice and it is not necessary to put perfume in our anointing oil. As Christians we use oil to symbolize the Holy Spirit but putting perfume in it does not make it more spiritual! Christians do not have to buy expensive perfumed oil. Many people sell this perfumed oil for their own personal gain, claiming you must have their super spiritual mixture in order to receive healing – when using just plain oil or olive oil is sufficient. Today fragrant oil is not only popular in Christian circles but is very popular in both New-Age and Wicca. Fragranced oil (or what New-Age refers to as aroma therapy) is being sold in stores everywhere. But there is one oil that these false religions do not promote and that is plain olive oil – obviously not a good seller. There are some who use expensive fragranced oil for purposes other than religion. Many use it for massage therapy – and some of their so-called therapy is sensual in nature. Yes, perfumed oil is used for the purpose of allurement and seduction. Proverbs 7:10, 17-19, 21, 26-27: And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: For the Goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey. With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. Proverbs 9:17-18: Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. Today costly fragranced oil is used so many different ways, and by so many different religions, it only makes sense for Christians to use just plain olive oil. Mark 6:13: And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. James 5:14: Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. Psalm 92:10: But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil. Regardless of what scripture they try and use to validate the perfumed oil they are selling nothing in God’s Word says that perfumed oil has to be used to anoint the sick. Besides, with all the advertisement about these different perfumed oils for different kinds of sicknesses we, as Christians, are taking our eyes off the true healer who is Jesus Christ!
(Note: Another reason for not using fragranced oil is that some people are allergic to perfumes. Using it on them could cause an allergic reaction.)