CASSIA, kăsh’ ə (קִדָּה, H7703, amber; קְצִיעﯴת, like cinnamon). Cassia is mentioned only three times, twice as קִדָּה, H7703, (Exod 30:24 and Ezek 27:19); and once as קְצִיעﯴת (Ps 45:8).

The Cinnamon cassia, Cinnamomum cassia, came over the Indian ocean to S Arabia, and so up by caravan to Pal. There is some argument as to whether this cassia is the same as the cinnamon mentioned in Song of Solomon 4:14 and Revelation 18:13.

There is much to be said, however, for tr. the cassia in Psalm 45:8 as orrisroot, prob. coming from India, known by the Lat. name, Saussurea lappa. It grows like a thistle about five ft. tall, and is a well-rooted perennial. This produces a well-known incense used even today in the temples of India. The roots which produce the perfume are found in great numbers in the mountains of Kashmir. At least one tr.—Moffatt—has rendered the passage in Psalm 45:8 “fragrant are your robes with Orris, Myrrh and Aloes.”

The fragrant, powdered roots would be imported in the same way as the Cinnamon cassia (q.v.). See also Spice.