UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to anoint, to assign, to appoint, assignment, appointment

Semantic entry: 37.107

Semantic domains: Control, Rule

Subdomains: Assign to a Role or Function

Definition: (figurative extension of meaning of χρίω ‘to anoint,’ not occurring in the NT) to assign a person to a task, with the implication of supernatural sanctions, blessing, and endowment

Notes: It is rare that one can employ a literal rendering of χρίω or χρῖσμα in such contexts as RV LUK 4:18 · LV LUK 4:18 · Read together LUK 4:18 and RV JN1 2:20 · LV JN1 2:20 · Read together JN1 2:20, since ‘to pour oil upon someone’ as a means of conveying a supernatural blessing and endowment for a task is culturally very rare. A strictly literal rendering of χρίω or χρῖσμα as ‘to pour oil upon’ is likely to be interpreted either as an insult or as an event preparatory to setting a person on fire and thus to destroy or to torture. Accordingly, in place of a literal rendering of χρίω or χρῖσμα, it is often necessary to employ some such expression as ‘to be appointed by God’ or ‘to be given a special task by God.’