Stacte

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Stacte (Greek: στακτή, staktḗ) or nataph (Hebrew: נטף, nataf) are names used for one component of the most sacred temple incense 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 seashells parts), galbanum and pure frankincense and made into a fine powder 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)

It is not exactly clear from what plant nataf was derived. It might have been myrrh of the highest grade, the resin of Styrax officinalis (see also benzoin resin), or even storax, the resin of Turkish Sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis).^[1]

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] References

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

• Bible Encyclopedia.net (2007): Stacte. Version of 07:35, 22 June 2007. Retrieved 2007-DEC-19.
• International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) (1915): Stacte. Retrieved 2007-DEC-19.