For thousands of years, cinnamon has been prized for its sweet smell, spicy flavor, and healing properties. But this common spice also carries profound spiritual symbolism throughout the Bible.
In a nutshell: Cinnamon and its oil are referenced several times throughout the Old and New Testaments as symbols of God’s anointing, healing, restoration and redemption.
In this in-depth article, we will explore the intriguing Bible passages about cinnamon and analyze the potent spiritual lessons they contain for believers today.
The Sacred Anointing Oil (Exodus 30:22-25)
Key Bible Verse Explained
In Exodus 30:22-25, God gives Moses a specific recipe for creating sacred anointing oil to consecrate the Tent of Meeting, the Ark of the Covenant, and the priests. This oil was holy and set apart, used only for God’s designated purposes.
The ingredients included liquid myrrh, sweet-smelling cinnamon, aromatic cane, and olive oil. Interestingly, cinnamon is the only solid spice included, with the others being fragrant liquids or oil. This highlights cinnamon’s significance.
Sweet Symbol of God’s Favor and Blessing
As a rare and valuable spice, cinnamon reflected God’s special favor and blessing on those anointed. Its sweet fragrance symbolized the sweet relationship between God and His people when they walked in covenant obedience.
Just as cinnamon scented the anointing oil, God’s favor perfumes the lives of those who faithfully follow Him. The recurring image of fragrant cinnamon underscores the beautiful aroma we become when Christ’s righteousness covers our sin.
Throughout Scripture spice imagery conveys the idea of rarity and value. Revelation 18:13 lists cinnamon among the luxury merchandise traded in end-times Babylon. Song of Songs mentions fragrant cinnamon several times, implying the preciousness of the lovers to one another.
Their affectionate relationship models God’s delight in His people. So cinnamon carried connotations of preciously rare intimacy with the Almighty.
Comparison to Jesus’s Precious Sacrifice
In some ways, cinnamon’s use in the anointing oil foreshadowed Christ’s sacrificial death for mankind’s redemption. Just as cinnamon scented the oil that consecrated the tabernacle and its vessels, Jesus’ costly sacrifice sanctifies repentant believers, covering their defectiveness with His perfection.
And while the priests had to continually replenish this oil, Jesus’ once-for-all atonement eternally sets apart those who receive His gift of salvation. No wonder Scripture calls Him our great High Priest!
Cinnamon’s derivation from the bark of a tree also offers a fascinating parallel to Jesus’ death on the wooden cross. He willingly submitted to excruciating suffering so those who trust in His finished work might become righteous.
Our sin deserves wrath, but instead we receive mercy and grace from the wounded, striped Savior, depicted so movingly in Isaiah 53. Just as beating the bark releases fragrant cinnamon oil, Jesus’ torture and death released the sweet-smelling aroma of redemption. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Healing Promise for the Plague of Snakes (Numbers 21:4-9)
The Sin of Impatience and Ingratitude
The Israelites faced hardships during their journey through the wilderness after being delivered from Egypt by God. However, instead of trusting God, they gave in to impatience and complained about God and Moses (Numbers 21:4-5). This ingratitude was displeasing to God.
Sin separates people from God, and the Israelites’ sin revealed the state of their hearts – lacking gratitude despite God’s previous miraculous provisions.
God’s Mercy through the Bronze Serpent
God could have justly punished the people for their sin but showed mercy instead. He instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it up on a pole (Numbers 21:8). Those bitten by snakes who looked at it would live. This showed God’s grace and forgiveness to the repentant.
The bronze serpent represents how Christ would later bear the deadly consequence of sin on the cross to bring healing to mankind (John 3:14-15).
Connection to Christ’s Redemption
Christ directly connected this Old Testament account to His crucifixion, through which God graciously offers redemption to humanity (John 3:14-15). Just as those who looked at the bronze serpent were spared death via snake bites, those who look to Christ in faith are saved from the fatal consequence of sin – eternal separation from God.
As the Israelites’ complaint represented the human tendency towards sin, the bronze serpent represented God’s answer – to take the punishment Himself through His Son instead. This account beautifully symbolizes the central message of the gospel.
The Restorative Power of Cinnamon (Proverbs 7:17)
Examining the Intimate Seduction Scene
While this Biblical passage depicts an intimate seduction scene, we will focus our discussion on the symbolic meaning of the luxurious fragrances mentioned.
Luxurious Fragrances for the Marriage Bed
The passage references cinnamon and other fragrant spices that would have been rare luxuries at that time, emphasizing the extravagance of the scene. These spices carry connotations of restoration, healing, and cherishment between loved ones.
Foreshadowing the Restoration in Christ
Some scholars [1] interpret the passage’s imagery of intimate union as foreshadowing the restorative relationship between Christ (the bridegroom) and the church (his bride). Just as loving partners cherish each other, so God cherishes His people.
The Bride’s Sweet Fragrance (Song of Songs 4:9-16)
Sensory Imagery in the Divine Romance
The vivid sensory imagery in the Song of Songs powerfully depicts the passionate divine romance between God and His people. The poetic lyrics teem with visually stunning word-pictures and olfactory descriptions that engage the senses and emotions.
When the Lover declares, “How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than any spice!” (Song 4:10), He extols His bride’s affections as both pleasing (to the palate) and fragrant (to the nose).
This reveals that spiritual devotion is meant to be experienced through all the faculties, not just intellectually.
The cinnamon-infused oils that the bride applies emit a sweet, spicy scent that stirs the Lover’s desires. This foreshadows the prayers and praises of God’s people throughout the ages rising as a “fragrant offering” before His throne (Philippians 4:18).
The Fragrant Oils of Betrothal
In ancient Near Eastern betrothal customs, the bride would anoint herself with perfumed olive oil often mixed with cinnamon before the wedding night. This ritual of beautification and preparation was deeply symbolic of setting apart one’s body and affections exclusively for one’s beloved.
Likewise, the cinnamon-scented oils in the Song of Songs carry connotations of the covenant faithfulness expected between the divine Bridegroom and His bride. Just as cinnamon enhances the sweetness of foods, the sincere devotion of God’s people magnifies the glory due His name.
Cinnamon and the Sweetness of Redemption
Throughout Scripture, the striking reddish-brown hue of cinnamon bark evokes imagery of the blood of sacrifice and the sweet satisfaction of debts paid in full. In the Torah, cinnamon was a key ingredient in the sacred anointing oil used to consecrate the priests who offered atonement sacrifices on behalf of God’s people (Exodus 30:23).
Like cinnamaldehyde, the compound that gives cinnamon its distinctive flavor and fragrance, the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ infuses the sinner’s redemption with the sweet savor of forgiveness and grace.
And as born-again believers walk in the fear of the Lord, their Spirit-empowered obedience spreads the indelibly sweet aroma of the gospel in a decaying world (2 Corinthians 2:14-16).
Truly, the mysterious interweaving of cinnamon through the Bible imparts the wonder of God’s steadfast love. For in the beginning, the Ancient of Days created cinnamon—He knew its secrets and deemed its properties good (Genesis 1:31).
And in the end, the Alpha and Omega will delight in the perfect communion of the Wedding Feast when the bride “clothed in fine linen, bright and clean” wears “the righteous deeds of the saints” like custom perfume (Revelation 19:6-9).
Valuable Trade and Treasures (Revelation 18:11-13)
Interpreting the Judgment Against Babylon
In Revelation 18:11-13, John issues a scathing indictment against the great city of Babylon, condemning its greed, materialism, and exploitation of others for financial gain. This passage has long fascinated readers and scholars seeking to unlock its meaning and significance.
Many biblical scholars interpret Babylon symbolically, representing worldly excess and spiritual corruption. The listing of valuable trade goods – gold, silver, jewels, fine fabrics, even human bodies and souls – illustrates Babylon’s hunger for profits over people.
Through prophetic imagery, John critiques those who overlook moral decay and injustice to reap temporal rewards.
A List of Greed and Extravagance
The list of treasures and luxury goods traded in Babylon emphasizes the city’s vast wealth coupled with shocking immorality. Rare woods, ivory, spices, wine – these speak to Babylon’s appetite for indulgence and excess.
Shockingly, John also includes human trafficking in his list – the buying and selling of human bodies and souls for profit. This illustrates the grotesque cruelty bred by unchecked greed.
Wealth is not condemned in Scripture when responsibly stewarded. However, 1 Timothy 6:10 warns that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Sadly, Babylon’s fortune blinded it to the evil effects of exploitation and dehumanization.
True Lasting Riches in Christ
Unlike fading earthy treasures, Jesus urges us to store up for ourselves “treasures in heaven.” What riches endure for eternity? Things like justice, mercy, faith, and love for others. While delicate jewels or luxurious garments turn to dust, Christ assures us acts of righteousness toward others will reap lasting rewards.
As we interpret prophetic warnings against greed, we must also hear the invitation. God created us for more than stockpiling perishable goods. Jesus showed humanity our highest purpose when he laid down his life to save others. That kind of selfless love reflects true spiritual wealth.
Conclusion
Throughout its diverse symbolic biblical references, cinnamon bears spiritual meaning around sacred anointing, healing, restoration, redemption, and the sweet fragrance of Christ.
By digging into the key scriptures about this valuable spice, we uncover rich biblical truth for applying to our walk with God today.
