Cassia is a fragrant spice mentioned in the Bible, known for its aromatic properties and its use in sacred anointing oils. It is derived from the bark of trees belonging to the Cinnamomum family, closely related to cinnamon. The Hebrew word for cassia is "qiddah," and it appears in several biblical passages, highlighting its significance in ancient Israelite culture and worship.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 30:24 · Cassia is listed as one of the ingredients in the holy anointing oil prescribed by God to Moses. The oil was used to consecrate the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, and the priests. The passage states: "500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil."

2. Psalm 45:8 · In this royal psalm, which is often interpreted as a messianic prophecy, cassia is mentioned as part of the fragrant garments of the king. The verse reads: "All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory, harps make You glad."

3. Ezekiel 27:19 · Cassia is noted as a trade commodity in the context of the city of Tyre's extensive trading network. The verse mentions: "Vedan and Javan from Uzal traded for your wares; wrought iron, cassia, and calamus were bartered for your merchandise."

Cultural and Religious Significance:

Cassia's inclusion in the holy anointing oil underscores its importance in the religious practices of ancient Israel. The anointing oil was not merely a fragrant mixture but a symbol of sanctification and divine presence. The use of cassia in this sacred context highlights its role in setting apart objects and individuals for God's service.

In Psalm 45, the mention of cassia in the garments of the king suggests a connection to royalty and divine favor. The fragrance of cassia, along with myrrh and aloes, evokes an image of splendor and majesty, fitting for a king who is often seen as a type of the coming Messiah.

The reference in Ezekiel to cassia as a trade item indicates its value and desirability in the ancient world. As a luxury good, cassia was sought after for its aromatic qualities and was part of the extensive trade networks that connected various cultures and regions.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

Cassia, with its rich aroma, symbolizes purity, holiness, and the presence of God. Its use in the anointing oil signifies the consecration and setting apart of people and objects for divine purposes. In a broader sense, cassia can be seen as representing the beauty and richness of a life dedicated to God, filled with the fragrance of righteousness and devotion.

The prophetic and royal associations of cassia in the Psalms point to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through the Messiah, who embodies the perfect blend of divine authority and grace. Cassia, therefore, serves as a reminder of the anointed one, Jesus Christ, who brings the sweet aroma of salvation to the world.Cassia

(Exodus 30;24; Ezekiel 27:19) The cassia bark of commerce is yielded by various kinds of Cinnamomum , which grow in different parts of India. The Hebrew word in (Psalms 45:8) is generally supposed to be another term for cassia.

Cassia

The bark of an odoriferous tree, from which came one ingredient of the holy oil or ointment, Exodus 30:24; Psalm 45:8; Ezekiel 27:19.

(1.) Hebrew kiddah', i.e., "split." One of the principal spices of the holy anointing oil (Exodus 30:24), and an article of commerce (Ezek. 27:19). It is the inner bark of a tree resembling the cinnamon (q.v.), the Cinnamomum cassia of botanists, and was probably imported from India.

(2.) Hebrew pl. ketzi'oth (Psalm 45:8). Mentioned in connection with myrrh and aloes as being used to scent garments. It was probably prepared from the peeled bark, as the Hebrew word suggests, of some kind of cinnamon.

1. (n.) A genus of leguminous plants (herbs, shrubs, or trees) of many species, most of which have purgative qualities. The leaves of several species furnish the senna used in medicine.

2. (n.) The bark of several species of Cinnamomum grown in China, etc.; Chinese cinnamon. It is imported as cassia, but commonly sold as cinnamon, from which it differs more or less in strength and flavor, and the amount of outer bark attached.

CASSIA

kash'-a: Two Hebrew words,

(1) qiddah, which is mentioned, along with myrrh, cinnamon, calamus and olive oil, as one of the ingredients of the "holy anointing oil" (Exodus 30:24); it was, too, one of the wares in which Vedan and Javan traded with Tyre (Ezekiel 27:19); it is identified in the Peshitta and the Targum with (2).

(2) qetsi`oth (plural only, probably referring to the strips of bark), a word from which is derived the Greek kasia, and hence, cassia (Psalm 45:8).

It is probable that both (1) and (2) refer to Cassia lignea, the inner bark of Cinnamomum cassia, a plant growing in eastern Asia closely allied to that which yields the cinnamon of commerce. It is a fragrant, aromatic bark and was probably used in a powdered form. Both as an ingredient in unguents and as one of the perfumes at funerals, cassia, like cinnamon, was much used by the Romans. The cassia of Scripture must be clearly distinguished from the entirely distinct Cassia lanceolata and C. obovata which yield the familiar senna. The proper name KEZIAH (which see) is the singular form of ketsi`oth.

E. W. G. Masterman

7102. qetsiah -- cassia (a powdered bark)
... 7101, 7102. qetsiah. 7103 . cassia (a powdered bark). Transliteration: qetsiah
Phonetic Spelling: (kets-ee-aw') Short Definition: cassia. ...
/hebrew/7102.htm - 6k

6916. qiddah -- cassia
... 6915, 6916. qiddah. 6917 . cassia. Transliteration: qiddah Phonetic Spelling:
(kid-daw') Short Definition: cassia. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/6916.htm - 6k

7103. Qetsiah -- "cassia," a daughter of Job
... 7102, 7103. Qetsiah. 7104 . "cassia," a daughter of Job. Transliteration: Qetsiah
Phonetic Spelling: (kets-ee-aw') Short Definition: Keziah. ...
/hebrew/7103.htm - 6k

The Gladness of the Man of Sorrows
... All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory
palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.""Psalm 45:7, 8. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the gladness of the man.htm

The Blood of the Covenant
... His subject had been the covenant, and when he prayed his garments were sweet with
the myrrh and aloes and cassia among which his meditations had conducted him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/the blood of the covenant.htm

Apprehending God
... "O taste and see that the Lord is good." "All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes,
and cassia, out of the ivory palaces." "My sheep hear my voice." "Blessed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/iv apprehending god.htm

Ezekiel's Discourse
... white wool. Vedan and Javan traded with yarn for thy wares: bright iron,
cassia, and calamus, were among thy merchandise. Dedan ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii ezekiels discourse.htm

A Lamb Bears all the Guilt Away.
... heaven. Away! gold of Arabia, Myrrh, calamus, and cassia, Far better I
discover! My priceless treasure is, O Thou My Jesus! what ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/a lamb bears all the.htm

Augoustou Monarchesantos Epi Tes Ges,
... CHRISTMAS Augoustou monarchesantos epi tes ges,. he poluarchia ton anthropon epausato.
By Cassia the Recluse. Menaeon Dec.25. tr., John Brownlie. 8,8,8,8. I. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns from the morningland/augoustou monarchesantos epi tes ges.htm

Kurie, E En Pollais Hamartias.
... k?sia (kasia) is sometimes written kassia (kassia), the sweet herb. The sweetness
of cassia had been changed to the bitterness of myrrh. I. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/kurie e en pollais hamartias.htm

It is an Annoyance to the Jew that Christ is Said to be Adored ...
... [He hath anointed Thee] with myrrh, [2046] and oil, and cassia, from Thy garments;
from the ivory palaces, whereby they made Thee glad. ...
/.../chapter xxxviii it is an annoyance.htm

It is Proved that this God was Incarnate.
... [He hath anointed Thee] with myrrh, and oil, and cassia from Thy garments,
from the ivory palaces, whereby they made Thee glad. ...
/.../chapter lxiii it is proved that.htm

Psalm 45
... Above thy fellows hath with th' oil. of joy anointed thee. ^8Of aloes, myrrh, and
cassia,. a smell thy garments had,. Out of the iv'ry palaces,. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 45.htm

Cassia (3 Occurrences)
... 27:19). It is the inner bark of a tree resembling the cinnamon (qv), the Cinnamomum
cassia of botanists, and was probably imported from India. ...CASSIA. ...
/c/cassia.htm - 9k

Cinnamon (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Cassia. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CINNAMON. sin'-a-mun (qinnamon;
kinnamomon): Mentioned, like cassia, as a perfume. ...
/c/cinnamon.htm - 10k

Keziah (1 Occurrence)
... KEZIAH. ke-zi'-a (qetsi`ah, "cassia"; Kasia, Codex Alexandrinus, Kassia): The 2nd
daughter of Job (Job 42:14), born after his restoration from affliction. ...
/k/keziah.htm - 7k

Javan (12 Occurrences)
... (2.) A town or district of Arabia Felix, from which the Syrians obtained iron, cassia,
and calamus (Ezek. 27:19). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JAVAN. ...
/j/javan.htm - 12k

Vedan (1 Occurrence)
... Vedan (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 27:19 Vedan and Javan traded with yarn for your wares:
bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were among your merchandise. ...
/v/vedan.htm - 7k

Kezia (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Cassia, the name of Job's second daughter (42:14), born
after prosperity had returned to him. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/k/kezia.htm - 6k

Uzal (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:19 Vedan and Javan of Uzal traded in thy markets: wrought iron,
cassia, and calamus were in thy traffic. (DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/u/uzal.htm - 9k

Olive-oil (4 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Exodus 30:24 And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel
of the sanctuary, and of olive-oil a hin: (WBS). Deuteronomy ...
/o/olive-oil.htm - 7k

Ointment (29 Occurrences)
...cassia." The oil was probably mixed with the above ingredients added in a powdered
form and heated until the oil had absorbed their odors and then allowed to ...
/o/ointment.htm - 18k

India (2 Occurrences)
... Among these may be noted "horns of ivory and ebony," "cassia and calamus," almug
(sandalwood), apes and peacocks. W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/i/india.htm - 9k

What does the Bible say about aromatherapy? | GotQuestions.org

Cassia: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus