ἀλείφω
aleíphō
G218 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To smear, rub, or apply oil or ointment to something or someone, typically using the hands or a cloth. In contemporary contexts, this may involve the application of perfumed or medicinal oil to the body, hair, or a surface, either for cosmetic, hygienic, therapeutic, or customary purposes. In the New Testament, used especially of acts of care (such as anointing the head or feet) or for medicinal treatment, rather than the more formal or ceremonial anointing (such as consecrating priests or kings) which uses a different verb (χρίω). The act generally implies personal attention, practical benefit, or hospitality, rather than ritual significance.
Semantic Range
to rub or smear with oil, to apply ointment, to anoint in non-ceremonial manner, to treat with oil for healing or beautification, to honor with oil as a gesture of hospitality, to perfume the body
Root / Etymology
From the Greek root ἀλείφ- (to smear, to anoint), possibly related to λάπος and λιπαρός (fat, oil), indicating something oily or greasy. Not related to the verb χρίω, which specifically means to anoint in a ceremonial or consecratory sense.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἀλείφω denotes the ordinary act of applying oil to the body, commonly after bathing for cleansing, cosmetic, or athletic purposes. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, it continued to describe general application of oils, including medicinal and perfumed substances. Within the Septuagint and New Testament, ἀλείφω is distinguished from χρίω: ἀλείφω refers to everyday or practical anointing (e.g., anointing the sick, showing hospitality by anointing a guest's head or feet), while χρίω develops a specialized religious meaning of setting apart or consecrating someone or something. English translations often use "anoint" for both, potentially obscuring this distinction. The root ἀλείφ- does not carry inherent ritual or religious meaning; such nuance must be understood by context. Unlike χρίω, ἀλείφω is not used of messianic anointing. The verbal noun ἄλειμμα refers to an ointment or oil applied, but does not imply any religious significance. Use in the New Testament and contemporary inscriptions shows ἀλείφω remains a physical, practical term throughout Koine Greek.
Translation Consistency
Anoint most naturally and consistently covers the semantic range of ἀλείφω—applying or rubbing on oil or ointment for care, healing, perfume, or hospitality. It is the common English rendering in New Testament contexts for non-ceremonial application of oil and is neutral and idiomatic (preferred over harsher words like “smear”). Using “anoint” allows straightforward inflection across all forms while preserving the verb’s typical meaning.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as particle of union) and the base of λιπαρός; to oil (with perfume):--anoint.
Root Family
ἀλείφω (aleiphō) — to smear, to rub on, to apply oil, to anoint (non-ceremonial)
Word Forms
8 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G218-08 |
ἤλειψεν | eleipsen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
anointed | he smeared with oil | anointed | 2 |
G218-05 |
ἤλειφεν | eleiphen | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
anointing | he/she was rubbing with oil | she was rubbing with oil | 1 |
G218-07 |
ἤλειψας | eleipsas | V AOR ACT IND 2P SG |
you anointed | you smeared with oil | you anointed | 1 |
G218-06 |
ἤλειφον | eleiphon | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
they-anointed | they were rubbing with oil | they were rubbing with oil | 1 |
G218-02 |
ἀλείψαντες | aleipsantes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
having anointed | having smeared with oil | having anointed | 1 |
G218-03 |
ἀλείψασα | aleipsasa | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG |
who anointed | having smeared with oil | having anointed | 1 |
G218-04 |
ἀλείψωσιν | aleipsosin | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL |
and anoint | they might smear with oil | they might anoint | 1 |
G218-01 |
ἄλειψαί | aleipsai | V AOR MID IMP 2P SG |
anoint | smear yourself with oil | smear yourself with oil | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
9 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G218-01 |
Matthew 6:17 | ἄλειψαί | aleipsai | V AOR MID IMP 2P SG |
anoint | smear yourself with oil | smear yourself with oil |
G218-06 |
Mark 6:13 | ἤλειφον | eleiphon | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
they-anointed | they were rubbing with oil | they were rubbing with oil |
G218-04 |
Mark 16:1 | ἀλείψωσιν | aleipsosin | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL |
and anoint | they might smear with oil | they might anoint |
G218-05 |
Luke 7:38 | ἤλειφεν | eleiphen | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
anointing | he/she was rubbing with oil | she was rubbing with oil |
G218-07 |
Luke 7:46 | ἤλειψας | eleipsas | V AOR ACT IND 2P SG |
you anointed | you smeared with oil | you anointed |
G218-08 |
Luke 7:46 | ἤλειψεν | eleipsen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
anointed | he smeared with oil | anointed |
G218-03 |
John 11:2 | ἀλείψασα | aleipsasa | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG |
who anointed | having smeared with oil | having anointed |
G218-08 |
John 12:3 | ἤλειψεν | eleipsen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
anointed | he smeared with oil | she smeared with oil |
G218-02 |
James 5:14 | ἀλείψαντες | aleipsantes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
having anointed | having smeared with oil | having anointed |