Cinnamon: A Closer Look at the Role in Ancient Scripture

According to the Encyclopedia of the Bible (online version), cinnamon is mentioned in Exodus 30:23, Proverbs 7:17, and Song of Solomon 4:1–2, and the word “kinamomon” appears in Revelation 18:13. It is Cinnanomum zeylanicum which grows about 30 feet high and bears small, white flowers on spreading branched. The oil is distilled from the bark after it has been softened by soaking in seawater. The Hebrews in the olden days thought it was a glorious scent. Cinnamon grows only in India on the Malabar coast in Ceylon and China.

Cinnamon is mentioned as a spice in Proverbs 7:17, Song of Solomon 4:14, and Revelations 18:13 whereas in Exodus 30:23 it is an ingredient in the sacred oil.

Cinnamon is mentioned four times in the Bible. Let’s explore each scripture and learn what it means.

In Exodus 30:23–30, cinnamon is a specific ingredient for Moses to create an anointing oil. The purpose of the anointing oil was to consecrate holy objects in the Tabernacle to make them holy. Exodus 30:22–30 reads, “Moreover the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Also take for yourself quality spices — five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon (two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane, five hundred shekels of cassia, according to the shekel of the…