stacte Summary and Overview

(Heb. nataph), one of the components of the perfume which was offered on the golden altar (Ex. 30:34; R.V. marg., "opobalsamum"). The Hebrew word is from a root meaning "to distil," and it has been by some interpreted as distilled myrrh. Others regard it as the gum of the storax tree, or rather shrub, the Styrax officinale. "The Syrians value this gum highly, and use it medicinally as an emulcent in pectoral complaints, and also in perfumery."

STAC'TE (a drop), prescribed in Ex 30:34 as one of the ingredients of the sacred incense. Stacte was either myrrh flowing spontaneously from the balsamodendron, or it was a gum from the storax tree (Styrax officinale). This latter is a large shrub which grows abundantly on the lower hills of Galilee and on Tabor and Carmel. Its oval, dark-green leaves are white beneath, and in March its twigs are profusely hung with sweet-scented, snow white flowers, which resemble the flowers of the orange in color, size, and perfume, making it a shrub of rare beauty. The styrax of modern commerce has an entirely different origin. See Myrrh.

The Septuagint Greek term from stazoo "to drop." One ingredient in the holy perfume (Exodus 30:34), nataph; also in Job 36:27. Literally, anything that drops, as e.g. the purest myrrh, that drops as a tear spontaneously from the tree. Storax or Styrax officinale of Syria is probably meant. The leaves resemble those of the poplar, downy beneath, with sweet-scented snow-white flowers clustered on the ends of the branches. It grows about 20 ft. high; the reddish yellow gum resin which exudes from the bark contains benzoic acid; the Hindus burn the benzoin in their temples.