### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term κινάμωμον (kinámōmon), Strong's number `{{G2792}}`, refers to "cinnamon," a highly aromatic spice derived from the inner bark of trees belonging to the genus *Cinnamomum*. Its etymology points to a foreign origin, specifically a borrowing from the Hebrew קִנָּמוֹן (qinnâmôn), `{{H7076}}`. In antiquity, cinnamon was a prized commodity, valued for its fragrance, medicinal properties, and use in perfumes, anointing oils, and culinary applications. Its semantic range in biblical contexts extends from an ingredient in sacred rituals to a symbol of luxury, seduction, or worldly commerce.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κινάμωμον (kinámōmon) appears only once in the Greek New Testament, specifically in [[Revelation 18:13]]. In this passage, it is listed among a vast array of precious goods and commodities whose trade is lamented by the merchants of the earth following the fall of "Babylon the Great." The context is one of divine judgment upon a decadent, materialistic, and idolatrous world system. The inclusion of cinnamon alongside gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet, various woods, bronze, iron, marble, frankincense, myrrh, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, chariots, and even human bodies and souls, underscores the extensive commercial reach and immense wealth of this symbolic entity. Here, cinnamon functions as a signifier of luxury and the worldly pursuit of material abundance, which is contrasted with the spiritual economy of God's kingdom.
While limited in the New Testament, understanding its Old Testament counterpart, קִנָּמוֹן (qinnâmôn), `{{H7076}}`, enriches its biblical significance. In [[Exodus 30:23]], cinnamon is a key ingredient in the holy anointing oil, signifying consecration and separation for divine service. Conversely, in [[Proverbs 7:17]], it is used by the adulteress to perfume her bed, symbolizing illicit sensuality and moral corruption. In [[Song of Solomon 4:14]], it is listed among the delightful spices in the beloved's garden, evoking beauty, fragrance, and the richness of pure affection. This demonstrates a remarkable versatility in its symbolic application, ranging from sacred anointing to seductive allure and the simple beauty of creation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is its Hebrew cognate, קִנָּמוֹן (qinnâmôn), `{{H7076}}`, which establishes its historical and cultural context within the broader biblical narrative. Other related concepts and lexical items often appear in conjunction with cinnamon in lists of valuable goods or aromatics:
* **Spices and Perfumes:** `{{G3030}}` (libanos - frankincense), `{{G4669}}` (smyrna - myrrh), `{{G758}}` (arōma - spice/aroma), and other fragrant materials.
* **Luxury Goods:** Gold, silver, precious stones, fine fabrics (e.g., silk, purple, scarlet), and other items denoting wealth and opulence, especially as seen in [[Revelation 18:12-13]].
* **Commerce and Trade:** The broader economic activities and systems that facilitate the acquisition and exchange of such commodities.
* **Anointing and Consecration:** As seen in its use in the holy anointing oil ([[Exodus 30:23]]).
* **Seduction and Decadence:** Its association with the adulteress ([[Proverbs 7:17]]) and the fallen "Babylon" ([[Revelation 18:13]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κινάμωμον (kinámōmon) is multifaceted, reflecting the complex symbolic potential of material creation within a spiritual framework. Its presence in Scripture highlights a tension between:
1. **Consecration and Holiness:** In the Old Testament, as an ingredient in the holy anointing oil, cinnamon participated in the ritual purification and setting apart of priests and sacred objects for God's exclusive use. This imbues it with a sense of divine purpose and sanctity.
2. **Moral Corruption and Idolatry:** Conversely, its association with the adulteress in [[Proverbs 7:17]] transforms its pleasant aroma into a symbol of deceit and illicit pleasure, leading away from righteousness. Most profoundly, in [[Revelation 18:13]], cinnamon becomes a stark symbol of the world's excessive materialism and the insatiable appetite for luxury that characterizes "Babylon the Great." Here, it represents the very commodities that fuel an economic system built on worldly gain, standing in opposition to God's kingdom. The lament over its loss signifies the ultimate futility and judgment awaiting those who place their trust in transient earthly wealth. The presence of cinnamon in this list underscores the pervasive nature of worldly enticements and the comprehensive judgment that will befall all forms of human pride and self-sufficiency.
### Summary
The Greek word κινάμωμον (kinámōmon), `{{G2792}}`, meaning "cinnamon," is a rare but potent term in the New Testament, appearing exclusively in [[Revelation 18:13]]. Here, it functions as a key symbol within a comprehensive list of luxury goods, representing the vast wealth and pervasive commerce of "Babylon the Great" and underscoring the world system's devotion to material possessions. When viewed through the lens of its Old Testament counterpart, קִנָּמוֹן (qinnâmôn), `{{H7076}}`, the word reveals a profound symbolic range: from its sacred use in the holy anointing oil, signifying divine consecration ([[Exodus 30:23]]), to its association with seductive allure ([[Proverbs 7:17]]) and, finally, its culminating role in Revelation as a marker of worldly decadence and the object of divine judgment. Thus, κινάμωμον encapsulates the biblical tension between items used for God's glory and those that become instruments or symbols of human pride and corruption.
TRV