Bible Dictionary
TRAGACANTH
Tragacanth is a gum-producing substance suggested as one possible meaning of the spice mentioned in Genesis 37:25. The exact identification is uncertain; another possibility is storax.
Definition
Tragacanth is a gum-producing substance proposed as one possible identification of the “spicery” mentioned in Genesis. The identification is uncertain, since the same passage’s margin also gives storax as an alternative.
Biblical Usage
Tragacanth has no independently described biblical role beyond its appearance as a possible meaning of the spice or aromatic material carried by the traveling merchants in Genesis 37:25.
Historical Background
The identification is expressly uncertain. The translation margin offers “gum tragacanth or storax,” so tragacanth should be treated as a proposed rather than certain identification.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>trag'-a-kanth: For "spicery" in Ge 37:25, the Revised Version margin gives "gum tragacanth or storax."</p><p>See SPICE; STORAX.</p>