קִדָּה
𐤒𐤃𐤄
qiddâh
H6916 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of aromatic plant product—specifically, the bark of the cassia tree—used in perfumery and sacred anointing oil. The primary sense is that of the bark or strips of the Cinnamomum cassia tree, valued for its fragrance and included among luxury spices and ritual substances.
Semantic Range
cassia bark, aromatic bark, ingredient in sacred anointing oil, luxury trade product
Root / Etymology
The word derives from the root קָדַד (k-d-d), meaning 'to bow,' but the connection between this root meaning and the lexeme קִדָּה is uncertain or possibly based on the shape of the bark, which curls or shrivels as it dries. The actual lexical meaning refers to the plant product rather than to the verbal root sense.
Historical & Contextual Notes
קִדָּה occurs in poetic and ritual contexts (e.g., Exodus 30:24, Ezekiel 27:19), always as a luxury aromatic substance. In the anointing oil prescribed for Israelite ritual use, קִדָּה appears alongside other precious ingredients such as myrrh and cinnamon, indicating its high status and probable importation from distant regions. The term designates what is today identified as 'cassia,' a species related to cinnamon but with distinct botanical characteristics (Cinnamomum cassia or a closely allied species). Unlike some later English Bible translations which sometimes use 'cassia' generically for various aromatic woods, in biblical usage קִדָּה refers specifically to this particular product. In Ezekiel 27:19, it is listed among the goods traded by merchants, signaling its economic as well as ritual significance. קִדָּה does not denote a people, place, or general 'spice'; it is botanically and culturally specific. Later usage in classical and post-biblical Hebrew continues the association of cinnamon-type barks with luxury and ritual use.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from קָדַד; cassia bark (as in shrivelled rolls); cassia.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קדד (q-d-d) — to bow, bend, stoop
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6916-02 |
וְ/קִדָּ֕ה | veqidah | HC/Ncfsa |
and cassia | and cassia bark | 1 |
H6916-01 |
קִדָּ֣ה | qidah | HNcfsa |
cassia | cassia bark | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6916-02 |
Exodus 30:24 | וְ/קִדָּ֕ה | veqidah | HC/Ncfsa |
and cassia | and cassia bark |
H6916-01 |
Ezekiel 27:19 | קִדָּ֣ה | qidah | HNcfsa |
cassia | cassia bark |