The meaning of anointing oil scents
The Word of God is not just a random collection of words, even though the order of some books of the Bible has changed over the years and some parts have been omitted. When God speaks, He carefully weighs every Word He says. He never says a Word too many or too few. Every Word has a meaning and a message for us, in this time, even if it sometimes seems arbitrary. The fact that 201 chapters and 345 verses in the Word of God speak about oil, and the fact that the term “Anointed,” which is the translation of Messiah, occurs 596 times, tells us that there are nearly 1000 verses through which God wants to teach us something about the Anointing and Anointing Oil. Why else would Jesus be called the Messiah? If His name had meant “Son of God,” that would also have been wonderful. But His name is the Anointed One. Not because it sounds nice, but because it means something. 
Most anointing oils in the Bible were fragrant oils. Indeed, all anointing oils used for the service of the Lord were fragrant oils. As we have seen, the Anointing in the natural is a prophetic act of empowerment with the Holy Spirit, of the glory of God, and of holiness. But we have not yet discussed the fragrances of the oil. Each fragrance of the anointing oils also has a specific prophetic meaning.
Your anointing oils are fragrant; Your name is oil poured out. Therefore the virgins love You.
Song of Solomon 1:3
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?
2 Corinthians 2:14-16
We know that Jesus, to whom the passage from Song of Solomon refers, is in the spiritual world. We know that His fragrance, to which both Bible passages refer, can be smelled in the spiritual world. For us, that fragrance means life. For every creature that does not belong to Jesus, it is an aroma of death. The entire spiritual world is very aware of the fragrance of Christ. His fragrance and glory go before Him. When a spirit that is not of God smells His fragrance, it trembles and flees. When we use fragrances in the natural world, it is a prophetic act of what has already taken place in the spiritual world but has not yet become visible in our natural world. By anointing someone with a fragrant anointing oil, we show our faith in what Christ has already done for us. These are the prophetic meanings of the fragrances used in the anointing oils.
Frankincense & Myrrh – Healing & Intercession
In the days of the temple, the sweet incense of frankincense was placed on the inner altar of the Tabernacle and was burned there every morning and evening. It speaks of intercession. Myrrh was used for anointing the deceased and in purification rituals. It speaks of suffering and death, but also of our total deliverance in the atoning work of the Messiah. Frankincense and myrrh were two of the three prophetic gifts given to the Messiah at His birth. The fragrances represent His role as Priest and Prophet and emphasize everything that the Messiah has done for us and continues to do on our behalf.
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:25
This is probably one of the most effective fragrances that can be used when praying for deliverance. As previously indicated, the spiritual world runs parallel to the natural world. That means that what we see in the natural world is a result of what has already taken place in the spiritual world. In both the spiritual and natural worlds, snakes hate this fragrance. Often, just the smell of this fragrance is enough to cause manifestations. In Israel, this fragrance was often used to keep snakes out from under houses.
Cassia – Devotion & Godliness
Cassia was one of the most important spices of the Holy Anointing Oil used to anoint priests, kings, and their garments. Likewise, the robes of the coming King and Messiah will smell of Cassia. Cassia is not used much today, but it was highly valued in Biblical times. The root word ‘kiddah’ means ‘a strip’ in both Hebrew and Arabic, referring to the strips of bark from which the spice is made. In a spiritual sense, Cassia speaks of devotion (set apart) and godliness (stripped of pride), with the heart of a servant. The deep, exotic fragrance and the rich color of Cassia oil make it a welcome addition to the family of Biblical fragrant anointing oils.
all Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia
Psalm 45:8
Cedars of Lebanon – Strength & Protection
The cedar of Lebanon is, by Middle Eastern standards, a massive evergreen tree. The tree can reach a height of about 27 meters, making it the “king” of all Biblical trees. The wood is amazingly decay-resistant and is never eaten by insect larvae. It is a beautiful, majestic, and reddish-tinted tree with deep green leaves. The bark is dark gray and produces a gummy resin from which the highly aromatic oils are produced. The cedar of Lebanon is the strong and fragrant type of wood used to build the house of David, the house of Solomon, and a large part of the first temple. It was also used, in combination with Hyssop, to cleanse the house of a leper. It speaks of strength, durability, wholeness, and restoration.
The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Psalm 92:12
Hyssop (Holy Fire) – Cleansing & Empowerment
Hyssop is a low-growing, evergreen, bushy herb that can grow between 30 and 60 cm high. It is grown for its flowering tops, from which the fragrance is extracted. The herb grows in dry climates on rocky ground and out of cracks in old walls, such as in the area of the old temple in Jerusalem. Hyssop was once a so-called “Holy Herb” because it was used for sprinkling in the ritual practices of the Hebrews. In Exodus 12:22 it says: “And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin…” Through the reference in Numbers 19:6 (“And the priest shall take cedar wood and hyssop and scarlet, and cast them into the midst of the burning heifer.”), this fragrance has been nicknamed “Holy Fire.” Hyssop speaks of spiritual cleansing through the sanctifying fire of the Holy Spirit and can best be described as a “fresh, clean-smelling” aroma.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7
King’s Garments – Glory of the King
The impressive spiritual meaning of this fragrance represents leadership, authority, and power. Using this oil is a prophetic act of acknowledging and affirming authority. At the same time, it is a picture of the kind of servant leadership that Jesus, the Beloved of Heaven, lived out here on earth.
Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions. All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
Psalm 45:6-8
In this Psalm, the Bible portrays a king whose garments are so thoroughly perfumed with expensive scents that they seem to be entirely woven through with them. Two of the three mentioned fragrances, Myrrh and Cassia, were fragrances that were also among the ingredients of the holy anointing oil used to anoint priests and kings. The remaining fragrance, Aloes, is mentioned among the most important species in the garden of the beloved in Song of Solomon 4:14.
King’s Garments is a special aromatic blend of three Biblical fragrances, consisting of Myrrh, Cassia, and Aloes.
Myrrh: A gum resin that comes from a small, dense tree found in Arabia. It flows from the tree as a milky white liquid but quickly turns into a deep purple-brown color when it begins to crystallize.
Aloes: The product of a tree of the Aquilaria genus, which can be found in North India. At a certain stage of decay, the wood develops a traditionally well-known fragrance, from which these rare scents are obtained.
Cassia: An evergreen tree—from the ‘cinnamon family’—with aromatic bark that is harvested in strips to make an aromatic powder or oil.
Myrrh – Grace & Peace
Myrrh is an exotic Biblical spice that was used in purification and beauty rituals, in the Holy Anointing Oil, and during funerals. Queen Esther had to bathe for six months in Myrrh Oil and then for another six months in Aloes and perfumes before her presentation to the king. Bitter to the taste but sweet to the smell, myrrh speaks in a spiritual sense of dying to ourselves to become a “sweet-smelling fragrance” for the Lord.
A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me…
Song of Solomon 1:13
Pomegranate – Blessing & Favor
The fragrance of Pomegranate symbolizes provision, fertility, and God's favor toward us. It speaks of taking possession of the assigned and promised inheritance. It also speaks of God's faithfulness to His children.
The pomegranate, originally from Persian roots, is one of the oldest fruits known and was highly valued by the Israelites. A large number of flower seeds are needed to get a small amount of oil from them. To achieve this, the petals are pressed. When this happens, a light amber-colored oil with a pleasant and slightly fruity fragrance is created.
Jewish tradition teaches that the pomegranate is a symbol of righteousness. The 613 seeds that the pomegranate contains correspond to the 613 commandments of the Torah. The pomegranate is one of the seven types of fruit that the spies brought back after exploring the promised land. It speaks of God's favor displayed in abundance and fertility.
Then they came to the Valley of Eshcol, and there cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes; they carried it between two of them on a pole. They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs.
Numbers 13:23
Rose of Sharon – Beauty of the Beloved
The fragrance of Rose of Sharon can best be described as a “tea rose,” a light floral scent that is not too sweet and does not overwhelm. This flower, from the Sharon region in Israel, is actually not a rose but part of the hibiscus family.
The flowers are nonetheless beautiful and glorious, just as Isaiah describes the bride of the Messiah when she will shine in the millennial kingdom because of her heavenly glory, beauty, gentleness, and honor.
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
Song of Solomon 2:1
Spikenard – Worship & Praise
Spikenard is a rare and precious fragrant oil, which was used by Mary to anoint the head and feet of the Messiah two days before His death, as recorded in John 12:3. “Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” It speaks of the extravagant worship of the bride and of her intimacy with the Bridegroom, in total surrender and without regard for the cost. It symbolizes the bride who has made herself ready.
While the king is at his table, my spikenard sends forth its fragrance.
Song of Solomon 1:12
Cinnamon – Passion & Courage
Cinnamon, also known as sweet cinnamon, is one of the four aromatic ingredients of the Holy Anointing Oil from Exodus 30:23. The scent of cinnamon has a rich, full, aromatic energy when it permeates a room. The addition of cinnamon to the Holy Anointing Oil was meant to create the right spicy fragrance, which brings passion and fans the flames to persevere. It represents holy boldness, courage, and passion in the believer.