THEOSISWlastow G.K.
The holy anointing oil is detailed in the quantities of its individual components. A shekel is understood to be a bit heavier than three gold coins. In our exploration of the ingredients, we draw upon the insights of scholars such as Dom. Calmet, O. Gerlach, and A. Com. Bible. The myrrh within this mixture is derived from a thorny small tree found in southern Arabia and eastern Africa, botanically identified as Balsamodendron Murcha. Historically, it was categorized into two varieties: simple myrrh and the more esteemed myrrh, known as electa or stacta. The finest myrrh is harvested directly from the tree, while the inferior grade is obtained through pressing. This aromatic resin was greatly esteemed in ancient cultures, referenced in the Song of Songs and the Gospels (cf.
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Song of Songs 1:13; 5:5; Matthew 2:11; John 19:39).
Cinnamon is likewise aromatic. Some scholars, relying on Rabbinical sources, suggest that what was termed cinnamon may actually refer to another substance, potentially aloe. Mattiol, drawing from Pliny, asserts that true cinnamon did not exist in Arabia and was later introduced from Ceylon. Conversely, later scholars (Geeren) point to the ancient trade routes through Aden from the Red Sea and the exchanges from the Persian Gulf to the shores of India, which indicate that cinnamon was well known in antiquity. In India, it was called Ravendsara, while the Hebrew term for cinnamon has uncertain origins but possibly derived from Phoenician traders to the Greeks. Recent scholars lean towards identifying it with the aromatic inner bark of the tree known as Cinnamomum Zeylanicum.
The fragrant reed mentioned also appears in Pliny's account, which notes its growth in Syria and the mountains of Lebanon. In biblical Hebrew, "kane" refers generally to a reed, possibly denoting the aromatic plant known as Indian Nard. While the fresh plant lacks fragrance, when dried, it emits a delightful aroma. Cassia, called "Kiddah" in Hebrew, is rendered as Iris in the Greek Septuagint, while the Slavonic Bible translates it as "Cassia," and Silvestre de Sacy uses "cannelle." The cassia tree is botanically a variation of cinnamon, specifically Cinnamomum Cassia. Like true cinnamon, cassia consists of the dried inner bark of its respective tree.
The formulation of the myrrh was made up of 45 pounds of aromatic substances combined with a modest amount of olive oil, calculated as 500 shekels of myrrh to 1500 gold pieces, or roughly 15 pounds. In addition, cinnamon and the reed weighed 77.5 pounds each, while cassia added another 15 pounds, alongside just one gune of olive oil. Jewish tradition explains that these various aromatics were processed through distillation to produce concentrated extracts employed in the holy anointing oil.