Stacte (Hastings' Dictionary)
The Heb. word occurs twice : Ex 30=» (cf. Sir 24"'), L.XX (ttokti), Vulg. ttactc, KVm opobalsnmum ; Job 36-' (LXX arayovei, Vulg. stillw, both of which signify 'drops,' and refer to water). The Heb. '■|¥j nalaph ( = Arab. na(a/) signilies to drop or dUtU. As the exuda- tion of all gums U in drojis, the etymology does not help us. But it is evident from the context in Exodus that a fragrant gum is intended. Many identify the ffTo/tr?)
here mentioned with the gum from the lilmeh {=sturiix, see POPI.AK). But <rra.KT-fi means primarilj- myrrh. Myrrh, how- ever, is mentioned b^'its proper narae"c m6r{v.'^), coupled with "ih- dcrur, which AV tr. ' i)ure,' and RV 'flowing.' The LXX tr. this expression by duSos aiiiipvris ixXcKTiji ; Vulg. primcB myrrhcB et electa;. Dioscorides describes two kinds of stactr, one of which is pure myrrh, and the other made from storax and fat.
It is unlikely that any such inferior compound as the latter would be used in making the sacred incense. It is most likely then that nd(a/ih, and its LXX and Vulg. equiva- lent stacte, refer to myrrh in drops or tears, which is the purest form. G. E. Post.
This topic also has an entry in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Both articles offer independent scholarly perspectives.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Stacte
Stacte stak'-te (nataph, "drops" (Job 36:27); stakte, meaning "oozing out in drops"): One of the ingredients of the holy ointment (Ex 30:34; Ecclesiasticus 24:15, margin "opobalsamum," the King James Version "storax"). The marginal reading is a concession to Jewish tradition, but see SPICE, (1). Dioscorides describes two kinds of stacte, one of pure myrrh and one of storax and a fat mixed. See MYRRH. This nataph must have been either myrrh "in drops," as it is collected, or some other fragrant gum, similarly collected, such, for example, as gum tragacanth. ⇒See a list of verses on STACTE in the Bible. ⇒See the definition of stacte in the KJV Dictionary ⇒See also the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia.
Smith's Bible Dictionary on Stacte
(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.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Stacte
The Septuagint Greek term from stazoo "to drop." One ingredient in the holy perfume (Exo 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.
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia