anointed king
Ritually consecrated ruler
A king who has been ritually consecrated with oil, marking divine selection or blessing for rule.
The ceremony—oil poured or dabbed on the head—appears across cultures but is especially associated with biblical tradition, where prophets anointed kings of Israel: Saul was the first anointed king.
The phrase can also describe someone treated as destined for leadership: The party's anointed king lost the primary.
- crownedGiven royal authority ceremonially
- sovereignSupreme in power
- coronationCeremony installing a sovereign
- monarchHereditary supreme ruler
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
scepter · oil · holy · consecrated · reign · royal · divine · ruler · majesty · blessed · ceremony · rite of passage · laying on of hands · prophet · David · messiah · sacred · divine right
- Biblical KingsDavid, Solomon, Hezekiah, Josiah, Ahab
- Jewish Messiahmessiah, redeemer, chosen one, messianic hope
- theocracytheocracy, theocrat, hierocracy, caliphate, Vatican City