(2.) Another word lot is also translated “myrrh” (Genesis 37:25; 43:11;
R.V., marg., “or ladanum”). What was meant by this word is uncertain. It
has been thought to be the chestnut, mastich, stacte, balsam, turpentine,
pistachio nut, or the lotus. It is probably correctly rendered by the Latin
word ladanum, the Arabic ladan, an aromatic juice of a shrub called the
Cistus or rock rose, which has the same qualities, though in a slight degree,
of opium, whence a decoction of opium is called laudanum. This plant was
indigenous to Syria and Arabia.
- MYRTLE (Isaiah 41:19; Nehemiah 8:15; Zechariah 1:8), Hebrew hadas,
known in the East by the name as, the Myrtus communis of the botanist.
“Although no myrtles are now found on the mount (of Olives), excepting
in the gardens, yet they still exist in many of the glens about Jerusalem,
where we have often seen its dark shining leaves and white flowers. There
are many near Bethlehem and about Hebron, especially near Dewir Dan,
the ancient Debir. It also sheds its fragrance on the sides of Carmel and of
Tabor, and fringes the clefts of the Leontes in its course through Galilee.
We meet with it all through Central Palestine” (Tristram). - MYSIA a province in the north-west of Asia Minor. On his first voyage
to Europe (Acts 16:7, 8) Paul passed through this province and embarked
at its chief port Troas. - MYSTERY the calling of the Gentiles into the Christian Church, so
designated (Ephesians 1:9, 10; 3:8-11; Colossians 1:25-27); a truth
undiscoverable except by revelation, long hid, now made manifest. The
resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:51), and other doctrines which
need to be explained but which cannot be fully understood by finite
intelligence (Matthew 13:11; Romans 11:25; 1 Corinthians 13:2); the union
between Christ and his people symbolized by the marriage union
(Ephesians 5:31, 32; comp. 6:19); the seven stars and the seven
candlesticks (Revelation 1:20); and the woman clothed in scarlet (17:7), are
also in this sense mysteries. The anti-Christian power working in his day
is called by the apostle (2 Thessalonians 2:7) the “mystery of iniquity.”