Stacte

(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.”

(Heb. nataf) the name of one of the sweet spices which composed the holy incense. See (Exodus 30:34)—the only passage of Scripture in which the word occurs. Some identify the nataf with the gum of the storer tree (Styraz officinale), but all that is positively known is that it signifies an odorous distillation from some plant.

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.

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.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

One of the sweet spices used by the ancient Jews in the preparation of incense. It was perhaps an oil or other form of myrrh or cinnamon, or a kind of storax. Ex. xxx. 34.