Bible Dictionaries
Gum
Holman Bible Dictionary
A yellow to yellowish-brown product formed from the excretions of certain plants. Gum was an item of the Ishmaelites' caravan trade with Egypt (Genesis 37:25; KJV, spicery) and was regarded as one of the choice products of the land (Genesis 43:11 ). Some English translations focus on the nature of the substance (gum, NRSV; aromatic gum, NAS). Others focus on the use of the material (spices, KJV, NIV, TEV). Ladanum spice (Genesis 37:25 , NAS margin) is the soft, dark resin of rock roses used in making perfume. Gum tragacanth (REB) is a resin used in the arts and in pharmacy.
Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from the Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman & Holman.
Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Gum'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hbd/g/gum.html. 1991.