Stacte

Stacte (Greek: στακτή, staktē) or nataph (Hebrew: נָטָף‎, nataf) are names used for one component of the Solomon's Temple incense, the Ketoret, discussed in Exodus 30:34. Variously translated to the Greek term (AMP: Exodus 30:34) or to an unspecified "gum resin" or similar (NIV: Exodus 30:34), it was to be mixed in equal parts with onycha (prepared from certain vegetable resins or seashells parts), galbanum and mixed with pure frankincense and they were to "beat some of it very small"[1] for burning on the altar of the tabernacle.

This incense was considered restricted for sacred purposes honoring Yahweh; the trivial or profane use of it was punishable by exile, as laid out in Exodus 30:34-38 (KJV).

The Hebrew word nataf means "drop", corresponding to "drops of water" (Job 36:27). The Septuagint translates nataf as stacte, a Greek word meaning "an oozing substance," which refers to various viscous liquids, including myrrh.[2]

Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel explained, "Stacte is simply the sap that drips from the tapping of the wood of the balsam tree" (Kerithot 6a). It is not exactly clear from what plant nataf was derived. It might have been a myrrh extract of the highest grade, the resin of Styrax officinalis, the resin of Styrax benzoin (a close relative of and of the same genus as Styrax officinalis), or even storax, the resin of Turkish sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis).[3]

Contenders for stacte

Myrrh extract

Most ancient sources refer to Stacte as being a produce of myrrh.[4] It is variously described as the transparent parts separated or extracted from the myrrh resin, the myrrh that exudes spontaneously from the tree, or the product of myrrh heated over fire.

The ancient Greek botanist Theophrastus described the manufacturing of stacte: "From the myrrh, when it is bruised flows an oil; it is in fact called "stacte" because it comes in drops slowly." The ancient Roman historian Pliny, in Natural History, described stacte as, "the liquid which exuded naturally from the myrrh tree before the gum was collected from man-made incisions." Pancirollus described myrrh as a drop or tear distilling from a tree in Arabia Felix, and stacte as a drop of myrrh, which is extracted from it, and yielding a most precious liquid.[5] Dioscorides wrote that stacte was made from myrrh. He recorded that after having bruised the myrrh and dissolved it in oil of balanos over a gentle fire, hot water was poured over it. The myrrh and oil would sink to the bottom like a deposit; and as soon as this has occurred, they strained off the water and squeeze the sediment in a press.[6][7] Stoddart, who lists myrrh as a balm, informs us that "Myrrh—after the almost clear stacte has passed through—is reddish brown . . . Stacte is the thinnest moiety of myrrh, the very best of which is forced through tiny holes in the intact bark at the start of spring."[8] Pomet wrote that to obtain stacte one must first gather the myrrh "that flows spontaneously from the tree" and to look for portions of the resin which are "clear and transparent, apt to crumble, light." He says to choose the myrrh "that when it is broke, has little white spots in it." We are told that "stacte is that liquid part which is found in the center or middle of the lumps or clots of myrrh." Pomet also wrote that stacte is that "which is first so gather'd from the tree without force, and also press'd from the myrrh . . . there is prepar'd from it, an extract, an oil or liquor of myrrh."[9]

The Gerrhaean tribute to Antiochus III in 205 BC included one thousand talents of frankincense and two hundred of "stacte myrrh."

Cant. 5:5 reads, “I rose up to open to my beloved; And my hands dropped with myrrh, And my fingers with stacte” referring to myrrh and the stacte which seems to have exuded from it.[10] This would seem to agree with Sauer and Blakely who note that stacte was extracted from myrrh.[11]

Abrahams informs that “With regard to the Tabernacle incense, most scholars agree that the term 'stacte' is of Latin and Greek origin, and that stacte represents myrrh." [12] A. Lucas informs us in no uncertain terms that stacte is indeed a product of the myrrh tree.[13][14] Tucker says that “Common myrrh is obtained from Commiphora myrrha; this is the species from which . . . stacte, was obtained.”[15][16]

R. Steuer, in his scholarly paper Stacte in Egyptian Antiquity, gives a convincing argument in favor of stacte being the product of the myrrh tree in ancient Egypt.[17] [18]

Styrax

Styrax officinalis (Styrax officinalis, syn. S. officinale) is a species belonging to the family Styracaceae. Many modern authorities identify stacte with the gum of this Storax tree [19] [20] [21] and most commonly referred to by writers as Styrax officinalis. One source states that stacte is “the product of the Storax . . . [T]he Septuagint name 'Stacte,' derived from the verb 'stazo,' to flow. By metonymy the name of the product, most probably, was transferred to the tree—as was the case in so many other instances among the ancient Israelites . . . [It] must not for a moment be confused or confounded with the Liquid Storax of commerce, which is the product of an altogether different Eastern tree . . . The Talmud contains several references to the Storax plant and its product. Of course in connection with the preparation of the holy incense for the Temple services." [22] The ancient book of Jubilees, part of the dead Sea scroll collection found in Qumran, makes reference to storax (styrax). [23] [24] Carroll and Siler says that "The Septuagint’s translation was most likely in error because it seems unlikely that nataph is a form of myrrh . . . it seems that its translation in the Septuagint as stacte was made simply because both nataph and stacte mean 'to drip' . . . the storax tree seems more likely. Our word storax may even come from the Hebrew tsori." [25]

Styrax benzoin (Styrax benzoin syn. Styrax tonkinensis) is a close relative of and of the same genus as Styrax officinalis above.[26][27] In his commentary on Exodus 30:34 Frederic Charles Cook wrote that “it seems by no means unlikely that the stacte here mentioned was the gum known as Benzoin, or Gum Benjamin, which is an important ingredient in the incense now used in churches and mosks, and is the produce of another storax-tree (Styrax benzoin) that grows in Java and Sumatra."[28]

Styrax benzoin has a history steeped in antiquity and was once employed by the ancient Egyptians in the art of perfumery and incense. The apothecary of Shemot (Book of Exodus) would have been familiar with its aromatic uses. All the compounds identified in benzoin resin were detected in an archaeological organic residue from an Egyptian ceramic censer, thus proving that this resin was used as one of the components of the mixture of organic materials burned as incense in ancient Egypt.[29] Morfit writes that the priests of Memphis burned benzoin incense every morning.[30] The name "benzoin" is probably derived from Arabic lubān jāwī (لبان جاوي, "Javan frankincense"); compare the mid-eastern terms "gum benjamin" and "benjoin". H.J. Abrahams states that the use of benzoin in the Biblical incense is not inconceivable since Syro-Arabian tribes maintained extensive trade routes prior to Hellenism. Styrax benzoin was available via import to the Biblical lands during the Old Testament era.

The Hindustanis use Styrax benzoin to burn in their temples-which Strong and McClintoch write is a circumstance strongly in favor of the hypothesis that the stacte of Exodus is a storax.[31]

Many scholars cite Styrax officinalis as the biblical styrax, however the yield of resin produced by S. officinalis, if any is produced at all, is extremely small. The large amounts of stacte needed for liturgical purposes, especially in the first temple period, would seem to have necessitated the import of a styrax that could have met the demand. Styrax benzoin yields a much larger yield of resin and could fill this need quite adequately. As mentioned above, Styrax benzoin is a close relative of and of the same genus as Styrax officinalis. Herodotus of Halicarnassus in the 5th century BC indicates that different kinds of "storax" were traded. Dioscorides referred to styrax as “storax” which was the name used of the styrax genus in antiquity (modern storax is usually liquidamber) [32] Gamaliel said that stacte was nothing more than the sap that drips from the branches of the balsam tree. Balsam is a term that has been used for a variety of pleasantly scented vegetable gums that usually contain benzoic acid such as is contained in benzoin gum from the balsam tree styrax benzoin.[33]

Dioscordes describes two kinds of stacte; one which is derived from myrrh and one which was derived from styrax. He also refers to “another called gabirea ...it also yields much stacte.”[34][35] Houtman writes that stacte refers to myrrh, but is also used for other types of gums.[36]

Rosenmeuller records that “the Greeks also called stacte, a species of Storax gum, which Dioscorides describes, as transparent like a tear, and resembling myrrh.”[37] The word 'Storax' is an alteration of the Late Latin styrax. In the Orphic hymns, the Greek word for storax is στόρακας or στόρακα.

One ancient Egyptian perfume formula (1200 BC) consisted of “Storax, Labdanum, Galbanum, Frankincense, Myrrh, Cinnamon, Cassia, Honey, Raisins.”[38]

The book of Ecclesiasticus lists storax as one of the ingredients when alluding to the sacred incense of the biblical tabernacle.[39]

Myrrh Extract and Styrax Benzoin mixed is a possibility. Myrrh in antiquity and classical times was seldom myrrh alone but was a mix of myrrh and some other oil. Stacte may have been light Myrrh (described above) scented with Styrax benzoin.

According to Rosenmuller stacte was myrrh and another oil mixed together.[40] One definition of “myrrh” in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is myrrh mixed with another aromatic oil. Writers in antiquity and classical times refer often to “mixed myrrh”[41] [42] [43] [44] [45] and “scented myrrh.”[46][47][48] One kind of myrrh described by Dioscorides was "like the stacte, a composition of myrrh and some other ingredient."[49] Then in another place he wrote that stacte was a mix of two fats (the first natural exudations of myrrh was often referred to as “the fat of fresh myrrh”) which included styrax (referred to as storax in antiquity).[50] Dioscordes defining stacte as Styrax and another substance and in another place as Myrrh and another substance seems to bring myrrh and styrax together .

The book of Eccesiasticus (Sirach) 24:15 alludes to the sacred incense speaking of “a pleasant odour like the best myrrh, as galbanum, and onyx, and sweet storax,[in antiquity Styrax was referred to as Storax] and as the fume of frankincense in the tabernacle.” Either myrrh was treated with styrax or by the time of the first temple period a fifth ingredient was added to the ketoret.[51] Myrrh may have been treated with styrax or styrax oil to further enhance the fragrance.[52] Frederic Charles Cook's commentary on Exodus 30:34 says that it seems by no means unlikely that styrax benzoin was part of the incense of Exodus 30.[53] For centuries, myrrh has been scented with Styrax benzoin, particularly in the Middle East, to scent private homes and places of worship.[54]

Opobalsamum / Mecca Myrrh

Opobalsamum (Commiphora opobalsamum [L.] Engl. Mecca myrrh) is a rare type of myrrh in the genus Commiphora. Some writers believe that stacte was derived from the balsam tree, Commiphora opobalsamum, known as kataf in the Talmud, which grows wild in Yemen and around Mecca.[55][56] The Revised Standard Version places "opobalsamum" in the margin by Exodus 30:34. From the commiphora genus,[57][58] opobalsamum is a relative of the official myrrh known as commiphora myrrha [59] and produces a myrrh resin known as Mecca myrrh.[60] Irenaeus referred to “myrrh called opobalsumum.” [61] The juice exudes spontaneously during the heat of summer, in resinous drops, but at other times the process is helped by making incisions in the bark.[62] It historically has produced a very pleasant aromatic resin with many alleged medicinal properties. The resin has a strong fragrant smell, with something of the lemon or citron flavour, a scent of vanilla, and the bitter, astringent aroma of commiphora myrrha.[63]

Liquidambar

It is believed by some that Liquidambar was the stacte of antiquity.[64][65]This ancient product was discovered in King Tut's tomb.


Lesser recognized contenders


Opoponax

Opoponax (Commiphora erythraea var. glabrescens) is a member of the myrrh family and has been considered to have been Stacte. It is sometimes referred to as opobalsamum, and is a relative of but not the true C. opobalsamum.[66][67]

Balsam of Tolu and Balsam of Peru

Balsam of Tolu and Balsam of Peru (Myroxylon balsamum) are sometimes called opobalsamum and are sometimes substituted for it, however they are not the true C. opobalsamum.[68] The balsams have a sweet, aromatic, resinous scent with an odour resembling vanilla or benzoin.[69] Both Balsam of Tolu and Balsam of Peru come from the same tree, Myroxylon, but each differs in production. The word Myroxylon is literally "fragrant wood" in Greek, or Quina/Balsamo. The balsams substitute for opobalsamum which some believe to be Stacte.[70]

Mastic

Mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) is a bush which exudes an aromatic resin.

Myrrh extract and cinnamon mixed

Rosenmuller says that the etymology of the word stacte indicates "to distil," and that it was a distillate from myrrh and cinnamon which was mixed together.[71]

Myrrh and Labdanum mixed

Moldenke writes that the myrrh of certain parts of Biblical history was actually labdanum.[72] It is believed that many instances in the Bible where it speaks of myrrh it is actually referring to a mixture of myrrh and labdanum.[73] According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary one of the definitions of “myrrh” is “a mixture of myrrh and labdanum.” If what was often referred to as myrrh was actually a mixture of myrrh and labdanum, then the manufacturing of stacte as described by Dioscorides could have reasonably been the product of this myrrh and labdanum mixture.

Labdanum

Labdanum (loT, stacte; translated "myrrh" in Genesis 37:25, margin "ladanum"; 43:11) The fragrant resin obtained from some species of cistus and called in Arabic ladham, in Latin ladanum. [74] Stacte is described as resin which exudes naturally without a manmade incision. Labdanum exudes from the rock rose bush naturally without any incisions being made.

Oil of cinnamon

Stacte might have been the sweetly fragrant resin that used to exude spontaneously from Amyris kataf, the bark of which, in other opinions, is the biblical “cinnamon.” [75] or may have been the product of the cinnamon tree itself.

Jules Janick writes: “Stacte; unknown, probably oil of cinnamon or cassia or aromatic gem resins.” [76]

From Websters Dictionary: “Stacte;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.” [77]

Balsam

Groom defines balsam as simply as “a viscious, resinous exudation from certain trees and shrubs, with a consistency which is thick but not solid. The principle balsams used in modern perfumery are Balsam of Peru, Balsam of Tolu, Balsam of Copaiba, Storax and Balm of Gilead [opobalsamum]. They have in common a vanilla like odor. The words Balsam and Balm are often used synonymously.” [78]

As stated above,some use Balsam of Tolu and Peru as a substitute for opobalsamum (Balm of Gilead), which they believe is the original Stacte, because of the similarity of scent (opobalsamum is in the commiphora or the myrrh family). Groom describes the scent of these balsams as vanilla like and referring to Styrax Benzoin he says “the resin from it has a storax-like fragrance . . . and has a vanilla-like fragrance.” [79]

Gamliel summed it all up when he wrote, “Stacte is simply the sap that drips from the tapping of the wood of the balsam tree” (Kerithot 6a). [80]


Footnotes

  1. ↑ Exodus 30:36a,KJV
  2. ↑ Gill Marks, Ki Tisa, the sweet smell of success, Shemen haMischa, http://www.gilmarks.com/1215.html
  3. ↑ Encyclopædia Britannica (1911), ISBE (1915), Bible Encyclopedia.net (2007)
  4. ↑ http://www.making-incense.com/monographs/stacte.htm
  5. ↑ The New John Gill Exposition of the entire bible
  6. ↑ Dioscorides, Matria Medica
  7. ↑ Groom, Nigel, Frankincense and Myrrh: A Study of the Ancient Arabian Incense Trade
  8. ↑ Stoddart, David Michael, The scented ape: the biology and culture of human odour
  9. ↑ Pomet, Monfieur, History of Druggs, 1709
  10. ↑ Theocritean parallels to the Song of Songs by Wm. G. Seiple, Johns Hopkins University, The American Journal of Semitic Languages.
  11. ↑ Archaeology Along the Spice Route of Yemen by James A. Sauer and Jeffrey A. Blakely. Araby the blest: studies in Arabian archaeology, By Daniel T. Potts
  12. ↑ Onycha, Ingredient of the Ancient Jewish Incense: An Attempt at Identification, HJ Abrahams - Economic Botany, 1979
  13. ↑ Notes on Myrrh and Stacte, A Lucas - The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, 1937
  14. ↑ http://www.jstor.org/pss/3854456
  15. ↑ Frankincense and myrrh, AO Tucker - Economic botany, 1986
  16. ↑ http://www.springerlink.com/content/1400n1v55r024681/
  17. ↑ Steuer, Robert O., Stacte in Egyptian Antiquity
  18. ↑ http://www.jstor.org/pss/594360
  19. ↑ Pharmaceutical journal: A weekly record of pharmacy ,1889 – Pharmacy
  20. ↑ Pachad Yitzchak, s.v. Ketoreth; cf. Dioscorides, De Materia Medica 1:79
  21. ↑ Smiths Bible Dictionary, under Stacte
  22. ↑ Bible Flowers and Flower Lore (Contents originally appeared in the “Jewish World” and was revised and printed in this volume)
  23. ↑ Jubilees, iii. 27, xvi. 24; K. ii. 45, 69
  24. ↑ Jewish Encyclopedia, under Plants
  25. ↑ Let My Prayer Be Set Before Thee: The Burning of Incense in the Temple Cult of Ancient Israel, James L. Carroll and Elizabeth Siler
  26. ↑ Demiray, Hatice, et al. "Identification of benzoin obtained from calli of Styrax officinalis by HPLC." Turkish Journal of Botany 37.5 (2013): 956-963
  27. ↑ http://www.hellenicgods.org/storax
  28. ↑ The Holy Bible, According to the Authorized Version (A.D. 1611): pt. I, By Frederic Charles Cook
  29. ↑ Journal of Chromatography A Volume 1134, Issues 1-2, 17 November 2006, Pages 298-304, Aromatic resin characterisation by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry: Raw and archaeological materials, Francesca Modugnoa, Erika Ribechinia and Maria Perla Colombini, aDipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università di Pisa, via Risorgimento 35-56126 Pisa, Italy
  30. ↑ Morfit, Campbell, Perfumery: Its Manufacture and Use
  31. ↑ Cyclopaedia of Biblical, theological, and ecclesiastical literature, Volume 9, By John McClintock, James Strong
  32. ↑ Encyclopædia Britannica 1893:Incense of the Old Testament
  33. ↑ Willis 1973:677
  34. ↑ International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
  35. ↑ Dioscordes: Materia Medica
  36. ↑ Exodus, Volume 1 By Dr. Cornelis Houtman (Scholarly exhaustive commentary on the book of Exodus)
  37. ↑ The Mineralogy and Botany of the Bible, Rosenmeuller , E. F.
  38. ↑ Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art, By Kathi Keville, Mindy Green
  39. ↑ Ecclesiasticus 24:15
  40. ↑ Rimmel, Eugene, The book of perfumes (MDCCCLXV)
  41. ↑ Almalech, Mony. "Kosher fat." (2013)
  42. ↑ Logan, Alastair HB. "The mystery of the five seals: Gnostic initiation reconsidered." Vigiliae christianae (1997): 188-206.
  43. ↑ McCarter, P. Kyle. "The Balaam Texts from Deir ʿAllā: The First Combination." Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research (1980): 49-60.
  44. ↑ Miller II, Robert D. "Shamanism and Totemism in Early Israel." Washington Academy of Sciences. Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences 100.4 (2014): 21.
  45. ↑ SL Fischman, The history of oral hygiene products: how far have we come in 6000 years?,- Periodontology 2000, 1997
  46. ↑ Geldard, Richard G. Parmenides and the way of truth. Richard Geldard, 2007.
  47. ↑ Wood, Algum. "Solomon's Plant Life: Plant Lore and Image in the Solomonic Writings." Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 51 (1999): 26-33
  48. ↑ Tucker, Arthur O. "Frankincense and myrrh." Economic Botany 40.4 (1986): 425-433
  49. ↑ The Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Hutton, Shaw, and Pearson
  50. ↑ A. Lucas, Notes on Myrrh and Stacte
  51. ↑ Taylor's edition of Calmet's great dictionary of the Holy Bible, by Augustin Calmet, Charles Taylor, Edward Wells
  52. ↑ "Year-Book of Pharmacy, comprising abstracts of papers relating to pharmacy, materia medica and chemistry contributed to British and foreign journals with Transactions of the British Pharmaceutical Conference," J. C. C. PAYNE, J.P., Pn.C, President, Belfast
  53. ↑ The Holy Bible, According to the Authorized Version (A.D. 1611): pt. I, By Frederic Charles Cook
  54. ↑ http://www.cookingwiththebible.com/reader/Default.aspx/GR3410-4252/lore/
  55. ↑ Yad, Kley HaMikdash 2:4; cf. Kerithoth 6a; Rashi; Radak, Sherashim; Saadia; Rambam on Kerithoth 1:1
  56. ↑ http://bible.ort.org/books/Torahd5.asp?action=displayid&id=2414#C1806
  57. ↑ Aromatherapy science: a guide for healthcare professionals, By Maria Lis-Balchin
  58. ↑ The botanical aspects of ancient Egyptian embalming and burial, BB Baumann - Economic Botany, 1960
  59. ↑ Myrrh, Rebecca Joy Knottnerus,Dr. Christopher's Herbeal legacy http://www.herballegacy.com/Knottnerus_Location.html
  60. ↑ http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=COOP2
  61. ↑ Early Christianity: Religions Ancient And Modern,by SB Slack - 1914
  62. ↑ Grieve,M., A Modern Herbal
  63. ↑ Mortimer,Thomas, A general dictionary of commerce, trade, and manufactures: Exhibiting their present state in every part of the world; and carefully comp. from the latest and best authorities, Pg. 863 under "Opobalsamum", Publisher: R. Phillips, London (1810)
  64. ↑ Hepper 1987a: 49
  65. ↑ Ancient Egyptian materials and technology By Paul T. Nicholson, Ian Shaw
  66. ↑ Bo Jensen, M.Sc.
  67. ↑ http://www.bojensen.net/EssentialOilsEng/EssentialOils22/EssentialOils22.htm
  68. ↑ Penny cyclopaedia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, Volumes 15-16 By Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (Great Britain) pg.40
  69. ↑ Margaret Graves, A Modern Herbal, 1931
  70. ↑ Ex. 30:34; R.V. marg., "opobalsamum"
  71. ↑ Rimmel, Eugene, The book of perfumes (MDCCCLXV)
  72. ↑ Moldenke, Harold N. and Alma L. Moldenke, Plants of the Bible, 1941.
  73. ↑ Stewart, David, Healing Oils of the Bible
  74. ↑ E. W. G. Masterman, Bible Encyclopedia
  75. ↑ Worwood, Valerie Ann, The Fragrant Heavens: The Spiritual Dimension of Fragrance and Aromatherapy
  76. ↑ History of Horticulture © 2002 Jules Janick, Purdue University, Lectures 26-27, Spices and History
  77. ↑ Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
  78. ↑ Groom, Nigel, The Perfume Handbook, Springer, 1992
  79. ↑ Groom, Nigel
  80. ↑ Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, Kerithot 6a

References

Public Domain This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "article name needed". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 

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