The highest quality myrrh is obtained from the tree itself ('self-flowing'), while the ordinary variety is collected through pressing. In ancient times, myrrh was highly esteemed for its fragrance, as reflected in texts like Song of Songs 1:13; 5:5; Matthew 2:11; and John 19:39.
Cinnamon, recognized as aromatic, has been the subject of various interpretations. Some, including Dom Calmet, suggest that what was referred to as cinnamon might have been a different substance, possibly aloe. Mattiol, following Pliny, asserted that cinnamon did not originate from Arabia and only came to prominence through imports from Ceylon. However, later research indicates the antiquity of the maritime trade route through Aden, linking the Red Sea to India and suggesting that cinnamon, known in India as Ravendsara, was indeed imported. The Hebrew term for cinnamon, passed down from the Phoenicians to the Greeks, lacks a clear origin, though recent scholars lean towards it referring specifically to the dried inner bark of the Cinnamonum Zeylanicum tree.
The fragrant reed mentioned, recognized by Pliny, is said to grow in Syria and Mount Lebanon. In Hebrew, "kane" broadly refers to any reed, with the aromatic type likely being what we know today as Indian Nard, or Vetyver. While green, it lacks fragrance, once dried, it produces a pleasant scent. Cassia, or Kiddah in Hebrew, is designated by the Seventy as Iris, but our Slavonic translation refers to it as Cassia, aligning with Silv. de Sacy's term 'cannelle.' The cassia tree, a variety of cinnamon, scientifically bears the name Cinnamonum Cassia and is derived from the inner bark, similar to cinnamon.
To summarize, the composition of the anointing oil included 45 pounds of aromatic substances alongside a modest quantity of olive oil, amounting to 500 shekels of myrrh valued at 1500 gold pieces, approximately 15 pounds. Cinnamon and reed each contributed 77.5 pounds, while cassia was recorded at 15 pounds, supplemented by just one guin of olive oil. Jewish tradition has noted that these aromatic extracts were concentrated through distillation, underlining their significance in the sacred preparation of the anointment oil.
THEOSIS