A low shrub with hairy leaves that produce a fragrant, sticky juice used in medicine and perfume.
About Rock Rose
In Genesis the Hebrew word lot is mistakenly rendered “myrrh” by RSV and some other versions. It should be translated “ladanum,” which is a sticky juice that comes out on the hairy leaves of a low shrub called Cistus or Turkish Rock Rose Cistus laurifolius. It hardens and is sold in fragrant chunks that are ground and made into medicine for cough, catarrh, and dysentery. Hepper says it was used also as perfume.
Key References
And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt.
Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and carry them down as a gift for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds.
All Scripture References (2)
Genesis (2)
And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt.
Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and carry them down as a gift for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds.