gezalfde

Gezalfde is a Dutch noun meaning a person who has been anointed with oil as part of a religious ceremony, often implying divine selection. The verb is zalven; the noun form reflects the person who has received the anointing. The term derives from the idea of ointment or sacred oil used in consecration.

In the Hebrew Bible the gezalfde designates individuals chosen by God for a special mission, especially kings and priests. Anointing with oil signified divine approval and formal dedication to a sacred role. Notable examples are kings such as Saul and David, and the priests who were consecrated through anointing. The phrase de Gezalfde van de Heer (the Anointed of the Lord) or simply de gezalfde appears as a designation for such figures.

In Christian tradition the concept translates the idea of the Messiah, the Anointed One. In theology, Jesus is regarded as the Gezalfde, the fulfillment of messianic prophecies. In Dutch usage, gezalfde is primarily scholarly or theological rather than a common secular term, with the concept appearing in doctrinal writings and liturgy rather than everyday speech.

Ritual use continues in some contexts: anointing with oil is a component of certain rites in Judaism and some Christian denominations, where it functions as a sign of consecration or blessing. Semantically, gezalfde can also be used metaphorically to describe a leader perceived as divinely chosen or endorsed by a community.