What is the…
“spicery” mentioned in some translations of Genesis?

Hebrew: נְכאת —transliteration: nko'th or nekoth —derived from the word נָכֵא (nake'), meaning smitten or afflicted, as in crushing a dried gum into powder

This word appears in Genesis 37:25 King James Version. it is mentioned along with balm and myrrh being taken to Egypt by an Ishmaelite trader caravan. In Genesis 43:11 KJV, the same word is translated as “spices.”

More modern translations say “aromatic gum” or “spices” in both verses. It is likey that the word refers to various aromatic gums/spices, not a single one.

Genesis 37:25 NASB, LSB

Genesis 43:11 NASB, LSB

Some believe the aromatic gum referred to is obtained from the low-growing, thorny Astragalus tragacantha shrub, a species of milkvetch. There are about 20 species found in Israel. It produces tragacanth gum, which has many uses in medicine. This gum is obtained mainly from the sap of the roots and stems. The gum is also used in foods as a thickening agent.

Astragalus tragacantha is native to most of the lands surrounding the Mediterranean. The plant is about 4-10 inches (10 to 25 cm) in height with white, purple tinged flowers that bloom in the Spring.

“The gum exudes plentifully under the heat of the sun on the leaves, thorns, and exteremity of the twigs.”