The holy anointing oil formed an integral part of the ordination of the priesthood and the High Priest as well as in the consecration of the articles of the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:26) and subsequent temples in Jerusalem. The primary purpose of anointing with the holy anointing oil was to sanctify, to set the anointed person or object apart as qodesh, or "holy" (Exodus 30:29).

 

Originally, the oil was used exclusively for the priests and the Tabernacle articles, but its use was later extended to include kings (I Samuel 10:1). It was forbidden to be used on an outsider (Exodus 30:33) or to be used on the body of any common person (Ex. 30:32a) and the Israelites were forbidden to duplicate any like it for themselves (Ex. 30:32b).

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Christianity has continued the practice of using holy anointing oil as a devotional practice, as well as in various liturgies.

 

Holy oils may be conveniently carried by clergy in oil stocks and we offer a large range as shown below.