STACTE stăk’ tĭ (נָטָף, H5753). This word, found in Exodus 30:34, could be tr. “an aromatic gum” or “a drop.” In the Douay VS, the word “cassia” (Ezek 27:19) is interpreted “stacte,” and if this were right, then the stacte would come from the bark of the cassia tree.

The word נָטָף, H5753, when used in Ecclesiasticus 24:15 is tr. “sweet storax.” If this is so, then the plant must be Liquidambar orientale, for this is the plant that yields a fragrant resin prepared from the inner bark, called “storax.” This was not found in the Holy Land.

The tree that is found throughout Pal. is Styrax officinalis, a small tree bearing snowdrop-shaped, pendulous pure white flowers. If an incision is made in the bark, the fragrant resin is easily obtained.