The term "smeared" in the biblical context often refers to the act of anointing or covering with a substance, typically oil, as part of a religious or ceremonial practice. This act is rich in symbolic meaning throughout the Scriptures, representing consecration, healing, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Anointing and Consecration

In the Old Testament, the act of smearing or anointing with oil is frequently associated with the consecration of individuals and objects for sacred purposes. For instance, in Exodus 29:7, God commands Moses regarding the consecration of Aaron and his sons: "Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head." This act of anointing signifies the setting apart of Aaron and his descendants for the priestly office, marking them as holy and dedicated to the service of the Lord.

Similarly, the anointing of kings is a significant event in the biblical narrative. In 1 Samuel 16:13, the prophet Samuel anoints David as king: "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David from that day forward." Here, the smearing of oil is not only a physical act but also a spiritual one, symbolizing the empowerment and blessing of the Holy Spirit upon David's life and reign.

Healing and Restoration

The practice of anointing with oil extends to the realm of healing and restoration. In the New Testament, James 5:14-15 instructs believers: "Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up." The smearing of oil in this context is an outward expression of faith and a means through which God's healing power is invoked.

Symbolism of the Holy Spirit

Oil, as a substance used for smearing, is often symbolic of the Holy Spirit in Scripture. The anointing with oil represents the presence and work of the Spirit in the life of a believer. In Isaiah 61:1, a messianic prophecy fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the prophet declares, "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor." This passage highlights the connection between anointing and the Spirit's empowerment for ministry and mission.

False Prophets and Deception

The concept of smearing also appears metaphorically in the context of false prophets and deception. In Ezekiel 13:10, the prophet condemns those who lead God's people astray: "Because they have led my people astray, saying, 'Peace,' when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they smear it with whitewash." Here, the act of smearing is used to describe the superficial and deceptive practices of false prophets who cover up the truth with lies, leading to destruction.

Conclusion

The biblical use of "smeared" encompasses a range of meanings, from the sacred act of anointing to the deceptive practices of false prophets. Whether in the context of consecration, healing, or symbolism, the act of smearing with oil carries profound spiritual significance, reflecting the work of God in setting apart, empowering, and restoring His people.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Smear.

2. (a.) Having the color markings ill defined, as if rubbed; as, the smeared dagger moth (Apatela oblinita).

8173a. shaa -- to be smeared over, blinded
... 8173, 8173a. shaa. 8173b . to be smeared over, blinded. Transliteration:
shaa Short Definition: blind. Word Origin a prim. root ...
/hebrew/8173a.htm - 5k

8173. sha'a' -- to be smeared over, blinded
sha'a'. 8172, 8173. sha'a'. 8173a . to be smeared over, blinded. Transliteration:
sha'a' Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-ah') Short Definition: stare. cry out ...
/hebrew/8173.htm - 5k

2911b. tachach -- to be besmeared
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be besmeared NASB Word Usage smeared
over (1). 2911a, 2911b. tachach. 2912 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2911b.htm - 5k

2902. tuach -- to overspread, overlay, coat, besmear
... Usage overlay (1), plaster it over (2), plastered (1), plastered it over (1), plastered
over (1), plasterers (1), replaster (1), replastered (2), smeared (1). ...
/hebrew/2902.htm - 6k

Tow Smeared with Pitch.
... Chapter X."Tow Smeared with Pitch. ... If, therefore, any one be found smeared with sins
and lusts as with pitch, the fire easily gets the mastery of him. ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter x tow smeared with pitch.htm

Verily, Verily, I Say unto You, Whosoever Keepeth My Word Shall ...
... [15] [2475] And when he said that, he spat upon the ground, and made clay of his
spittle, and [16] smeared it on the eyes of the blind man, and said unto him ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxxvi verily verily i.htm

Hebrews xi. 28-31
... [3312] A lamb was slain in every household, and the blood was smeared on the
door-posts, and this was a means of warding off the Egyptian destruction. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxvii hebrews xi 28-31.htm

The Burning ??sculapius; Tricks with Fire.
... But if, having smeared his hands with a tincture of myrtle [251] and nitre and myrrh,
along with vinegar, he wash them in brine frequently, he is not scorched ...
/.../chapter xxxiii the burning aesculapius tricks.htm

Proofs of the Resurrection from Isaiah and Ezekiel; the Same God ...
... kind of process: "And the Lord took clay from the earth, and formed man." [4582]
Wherefore also the Lord spat on the ground and made clay, and smeared it upon ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xv proofs of the resurrection.htm

From the Saying of Our Lord we Know that the Flesh is Weak...
... The philosophers have been outstripped,"for instance Heraclitus, who, smeared with
cow dung, burned himself; and Empedocles, who leapt down into the fires of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad martyras/chapter iv from the saying.htm

Early Battles
... Soon after he got saved he painted his door to help to make his home nice, and the
old women of the street came and smeared their dirty hands over it, to hear ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/iv early battles.htm

It is Then My Purpose to Prove to You...
... So they did in our case what crafty fowlers are wont to do, who set branches
smeared with bird-lime beside water to deceive thirsty birds. ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 2 it is then.htm

Preface
... Therefore their writings are swollen with vanity, infamous for their falsehood,
smeared with filth, or vicious because of their obscene subjects. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/preface.htm

The Heathen, who have not a Full Revelation of the Truth...
... of one who has died under the common law of nature, in the amphitheatre gazes down
with most patient eyes on bodies all mangled and torn and smeared with their ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter xxi the heathen who.htm

Smeared (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Smear. 2. (a.) Having the color markings ill defined, as if rubbed;
as, the smeared dagger moth (Apatela oblinita). ...Smeared (5 Occurrences). ...
/s/smeared.htm - 8k

Smear (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) To soil in any way; to contaminate; to pollute; to stain morally; as, to
be smeared with infamy. 3. (n.) A fat, oily substance; ointment. ...
/s/smear.htm - 7k

Kneading (7 Occurrences)
... John 9:6 After thus speaking, He spat on the ground, and then, kneading the dust
and spittle into clay, He smeared the clay over the man's eyes and said to him ...
/k/kneading.htm - 8k

Untempered (5 Occurrences)
... In the interior of Palestine and Syria walls are still commonly built of small
stones or mud bricks, and then smeared over with clay mortar. ...
/u/untempered.htm - 9k

Obtained (61 Occurrences)
... (WEY). John 9:11 "He whose name is Jesus," he answered, "made clay and smeared
my eyes with it, and then told me to go to Siloam and wash. ...
/o/obtained.htm - 25k

Greasy (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (superl.) Composed of, or characterized by, grease; oily; unctuous; as,
a greasy dish. 2. (superl.) Smeared or defiled with grease. ...
/g/greasy.htm - 7k

Graft (1 Occurrence)
... The exposed ends are smeared with mud made from clay, and then bound with cloth
or date straw, which is held by thongs made from the bark of young mulberry ...
/g/graft.htm - 9k

Wash (105 Occurrences)
... 17. (n.) That with which anything is washed, or wetted, smeared, tinted, etc., upon
the surface. 18. (n.) A liquid cosmetic for the complexion. 19. ...
/w/wash.htm - 45k

Tanner (3 Occurrences)
... The sheep or goat skins are smeared on the flesh side with a paste of slaked lime
and then folded up and allowed to stand until the hair loosens. ...
/t/tanner.htm - 11k

Daub (3 Occurrences)
... 6. (vi) To smear; to play the flatterer. 7. (n.) A viscous, sticky application;
a spot smeared or dabbed; a smear. 8. (n.) A picture coarsely executed. Int. ...
/d/daub.htm - 8k

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Smeared: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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