As I delved into the ancient truths of anointing for my book, The Anointed Bride (published in 2016), one passage of Scripture stood out with profound clarity: Exodus 30:22-25. Here, God provides Moses with a precise recipe for holy anointing oil—a sacred blend designed to consecrate priests, sanctify sacred spaces, and draw His people into deeper communion with Him. This divine formula, far from being a mere ritual, carries timeless spiritual significance that resonates with believers today. In this column, I invite you to explore the Exodus anointing oil and its enduring call to holiness.

The recipe God gave Moses is meticulous: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, 250 shekels each of fragrant cinnamon and aromatic cane, 500 shekels of cassia, and a hin of olive oil. These measurements, equivalent to roughly six liters of oil with 12.5 kilograms of spices, reflect God’s intentionality. Each ingredient carries symbolic weight, pointing to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Myrrh, with its bitter fragrance, speaks of suffering and purification; cinnamon and cassia evoke warmth and sweetness, symbolizing God’s love; and aromatic cane suggests strength and stability. Yet, the foundation of this blend is olive oil—over 90% of the mixture—reminding us of the crushing process that produces both oil and spiritual surrender.

What strikes me most about this recipe is its divine origin. God didn’t leave the composition to human creativity; He specified exact ingredients and proportions, declaring that this oil was to be holy, used exclusively for His purposes. Exodus 30:29 instructs that anything touched by this oil becomes consecrated, set apart for God. This wasn’t a suggestion but a command, underscoring the sanctity of anointing. It’s important to emphasize that while the individual ingredients in the Exodus anointing oil—myrrh, cinnamon, cassia, aromatic cane, and olive oil—are not forbidden and can be used for various purposes, the specific blend and proportions given by God to Moses are exclusively holy and set apart. God commanded that no one should replicate or use this exact recipe for common or personal use. Exodus 30:32-33 clearly warns that anyone who makes or uses this sacred formula unlawfully shall be “cut off from his people.”

This means that the power and holiness of the Exodus oil do not lie merely in its ingredients but in the divinely appointed mixture, made under God’s direct instruction for consecration purposes in the Tabernacle and priesthood. Using the ingredients individually or in other blends is not prohibited; however, to recreate or apply the exact formula outside God’s ordained context is a serious violation with spiritual consequences.

Therefore, believers are called to respect God’s instructions by honoring this holy oil as unique, while appreciating and using the individual spices and olive oil responsibly, in ways that glorify God and reflect His design. The oil was to be used for the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests, marking them as vessels for God’s presence. Misusing it, as verses 32-33 warn, carried severe consequences, including being cut off from the community.

As I studied this passage, I realized that the Exodus anointing oil is more than a historical artifact—it’s a blueprint for spiritual life. The olive oil, pressed from crushed olives, mirrors the process of dying to self, a painful yet necessary step to carry God’s presence. The fragrant spices, blended in perfect balance, reflect the multifaceted nature of the Holy Spirit’s work in us: purifying, comforting, and strengthening. This oil was not about physical healing or natural benefits, as some modern interpretations might suggest. Its power lay in its role as a point of contact for faith, activating God’s promises through obedience and prayer.

In The Anointed Bride, I explore how this sacred recipe remains relevant for believers today. While we no longer anoint priests or tabernacles in the same way, the principle endures: anointing oil is a symbol of consecration, a tangible reminder to set ourselves apart for God’s service. When used with faith, it becomes a conduit for His power to heal, deliver, and restore. However, we must approach it with reverence, adhering to the biblical model of olive oil-based blends rather than substituting essential oils, which lack the spiritual context of God’s design.

The Exodus anointing oil challenges us to reflect on our own consecration. Are we willing to undergo the crushing process, to surrender our desires, and to let the Holy Spirit shape us into vessels of His glory? As I’ve seen in my ministry with LoveUnlimited, those who embrace this call discover a deeper intimacy with God. I encourage you to study Exodus 30:22-25, seek out biblically grounded anointing oils, and use them in faith, giving God the glory for His work. Let this sacred recipe inspire you to live a life set apart, fragrant with the presence of the Holy Spirit.

In faith,
Robin Prijs
Founder, LoveUnlimited Ministries