Bible Lexicons

χρῖσμα (so R G L, small edition, WH) and χρῖσμα (Lachmann's major edition; T Tr; on the accent see Winers Grammar, § 6, 1e.; Lipsius, Grammat. Untersuch., p. 35; (Tdf. Proleg., p. 102)), χρίσματος, τό (χρίω, which see), anything smeared on, unguent, ointment, usually prepared by the Hebrews from oil and aromatic herbs. Anointing was the inaugural ceremony for priests (Exodus 28:37; Exodus 40:13 (15); Leviticus 6:22; Numbers 35:25), kings (1 Samuel 9:16; 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 15:1; 1 Samuel 16:3, 13), and sometimes also prophets (1 Kings 19:16 cf. Isaiah 61:1), and by it they were regarded as endued with the Holy Spirit and divine gifts (1 Samuel 16:13; Isaiah 61:1; Josephus, Antiquities 6, 8, 2 πρός τόν Δαυιδην — when anointed by Samuel — μεταβαινει τό θεῖον καταλιπον Σαουλον. καί ὁ μέν προφητεύειν ἤρξατο, τοῦ θείου πνεύματος εἰς αὐτόν μετοικισαμενου); (see BB. DD., see under the words, Ointment, Anointing). Hence, in 1 John 2:20 (where ἀπό τοῦ ἁγίου is so used as to imply that this χρῖσμα renders them ἁγίους (cf. Westcott at the passage)) and 27, τό χρῖσμα is used of the gift of the Holy Spirit, as the efficient aid in getting a knowledge of the truth; see χιω. (Xenophon, Theophrastus, Diodorus, Philo, others; for מִשְׁחָה, Exodus 29:7; Exodus 30:25; Exodus 35:14; Exodus 40:7 (9).)