Smith's Bible Dictionary describes this balm (from balsam), found in Gen. 37:25; 43:11; Jer. 8:22; 46:11; 51:8; Ezek. 27:17. The plant has a very aromatic essence. Sap or gum resin exudes from the plant to produce the balm used for its medicinal and aromatic purposes. We cannot identify the plant with total certainty. It may be one such as the Pistacia lentiscus, or more probably that of the Balsamodendron opobalsamum, called balm of Gilead, which flourished in Gilead east of the Jordan. The trees resemble fig trees (or grape vines), but lower, about 12 to 15 feet high. It is now called the Balm of Gilead, or Mecca-balsam, the tree or shrub indigenous to the mountains around Mecca.
Hasselquist says that the exudation from the plant “is of a yellow color, and pellucid. It has a most fragrant smell, which is resinous, balsamic and very agreeable. It is very tenacious or glutinous, sticking to the fingers, and may be drawn into long threads.”
I Kings 10:10 "And she gave the king... of spices of very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon." Balm was rare and costly. After the conquest of Judah, it was brought by Pompey for display. When Vespasian destroyed Jerusalem, balm was among his spoils. Balm was the emblem of Palestine and newly cultivated shrubs were protected by sentries. It is trained as a vine, has little foliage and tufted-like flowers. A nut with pulp inside holds the seed which is fragrant and yellow in color (Walker).
Ezekiel 27:17 (KJV) Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.
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