κινάμωμον (kinamōmon)
kinamōmon
cinnamon
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun kinamōmon refers to cinnamon, a highly valued aromatic spice derived from the inner bark of trees in the Laurus genus. In the ancient world, this substance was prized for its distinctive scent and flavor, serving as a luxury commodity traded across vast distances. The word itself is of foreign origin, likely borrowed from Semitic languages such as Hebrew qinnāmōn, reflecting the exotic nature of the spice in the Mediterranean context.
Despite its common use in daily life for cooking and perfumery, this term appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in Revelation 18:13. There, it is listed among the cargoes of Babylon the Great, highlighting the immense wealth and global reach of commercial trade networks. The inclusion of cinnamon alongside other precious goods like gold and purple underscores the material abundance that characterizes this symbolic city.
Its singular occurrence emphasizes the contrast between earthly riches and spiritual realities within the apocalyptic vision. By placing such a familiar luxury item in a list of doomed merchandise, the text draws attention to the transient nature of worldly prosperity. This usage invites readers to consider what truly holds lasting value beyond the circulation of expensive commodities.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Cinnamon appears just once in the New Testament, listed among the luxury goods of a wealthy but doomed city. This single mention reminds us that material wealth, no matter how exotic or expensive, cannot secure our future. The spice was prized for its scent and value, yet it is grouped here with items destined for loss.
When we look at what we hold dear, this passage invites a gentle question: does our security rest in temporary treasures or in God’s lasting promises? Cinnamon may fill a room with fragrance, but it cannot save a soul. Our hope is found not in the circulation of goods, but in the faithfulness of Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- cinnamon1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κιννάμωμον1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 18:13
and cinnamon, incense, perfume, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, chariots, and people’s bodies and souls.
This verse places cinnamon alongside human lives and luxury items to show how even precious trade goods are swept away when earthly systems collapse.