7718. shoham

Lexicon

shoham: Onyx

Original Word: שֹׁהַם
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: shoham
Pronunciation: SHO-ham
Phonetic Spelling: (sho'-ham)
Definition: Onyx
Meaning: a gem, the beryl

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

onyx

From an unused root probably mean to blanch; a gem, probably the beryl (from its pale green color) -- onyx.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
(a gem) perhaps an onyx
NASB Translation
onyx (11).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

I. שֹׁ֫הַם noun masculine^{Job 28:16} a gem, identification dubious, Vrss vary; onyx or chrysoprasus Ri^{HWB 2, 336 f.}, onyx Taylor^{Hast. DB iii. 624,} beryl Ridgeway^{Ency. Bib. 545,} malachite Myres^{ib. 4808, etc}.; compare also Dr^{Genesis 2:12} (√ unknown; perhaps loan-word, compare Assyrian sâmtu Dl^{WB 488}); — ׳אֶבֶן הַשּׁ Genesis 2:12 (J; +הַבְּדֹלַח), in land „avilah; ׳אַבְנֵי שׁ Exodus 25:7; Exodus 28:9; Exodus 35:9,27; Exodus 39:6 (all P), 1 Chronicles 29:2; אֶבֶן omitted Ezekiel 28:13; Exodus 28:20; Exodus 39:13 (both P; all in lists of gems); יָקָר וְסַמִּיר ׳שׁ Job 28:16.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: The origin of the word שֹׁהַם is uncertain. It is a term used in ancient Hebrew texts to describe a specific type of gemstone.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G4556: σμαράγδινος (smaragdinós) • Refers to an emerald or a green gem, often associated with beryl.
• G4665: σάρδιον (sárdion) • Refers to a sardius or carnelian stone, another type of precious gem.

These Greek terms, while not direct translations of שֹׁהַם, reflect the broader category of precious stones and gems that are often mentioned in biblical texts, highlighting the cultural and religious significance of such materials in both Hebrew and Greek traditions.

Usage: The term שֹׁהַם appears in the Hebrew Bible in contexts related to the adornment of sacred garments and structures. It is notably mentioned in the description of the high priest's breastplate and the ephod, as well as in the construction of the tabernacle.

Context: The term שֹׁהַם (Shoham) is mentioned several times in the Hebrew Scriptures, primarily in the context of the priestly garments and the tabernacle. In Exodus 28:9-12, the shoham stones are described as being set in gold filigree and engraved with the names of the sons of Israel, serving as memorial stones on the shoulders of the ephod worn by the high priest. This indicates the importance and sacred nature of the stones, symbolizing the tribes of Israel before God.

In Exodus 39:6-14, the shoham stones are again mentioned in the detailed account of the making of the priestly garments, emphasizing their role in the religious and ceremonial life of ancient Israel. The precise identification of shoham as either beryl or onyx is uncertain, but its repeated mention alongside other precious stones highlights its value and significance.

The use of shoham in the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings, as seen in passages like Exodus 25:7 and 1 Chronicles 29:2, further underscores its importance in the worship practices of the Israelites. The stone's inclusion in these sacred contexts suggests a high level of esteem and reverence.

Forms and Transliterations

בְּשֹׁ֖הַם בשהם הַשֹּֽׁהַם׃ הַשֹּׁ֔הַם השהם השהם׃ וְשֹׁ֖הַם ושהם שֹׁ֑הַם שֹׁ֔הַם שֹׁ֕הַם שֹׁ֖הַם שֹׁ֙הַם֙ שֹׁ֨הַם שהם bə·šō·ham beShoham bəšōham haš·šō·ham hashShoham haššōham Shoham šō·ham šōham veShoham wə·šō·ham wəšōham

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 2:12
HEB: הַבְּדֹ֖לַח וְאֶ֥בֶן הַשֹּֽׁהַם׃
NAS: the bdellium and the onyx stone
KJV: there [is] bdellium and the onyx stone.
INT: the bdellium stone and the onyx

Exodus 25:7
HEB: אַבְנֵי־ שֹׁ֕הַם וְאַבְנֵ֖י מִלֻּאִ֑ים
NAS: onyx stones and setting
KJV: Onyx stones, and stones
INT: stones onyx stones and setting

Exodus 28:9
HEB: שְׁתֵּ֖י אַבְנֵי־ שֹׁ֑הַם וּפִתַּחְתָּ֣ עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם
NAS: two onyx stones
KJV: two onyx stones,
INT: two stones onyx and engrave on

Exodus 28:20
HEB: הָרְבִיעִ֔י תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ וְשֹׁ֖הַם וְיָשְׁפֵ֑ה מְשֻׁבָּצִ֥ים
NAS: a beryl and an onyx and a jasper;
KJV: a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper:
INT: and the fourth A beryl and an onyx jasper shall be set

Exodus 35:9
HEB: וְאַ֨בְנֵי־ שֹׁ֔הַם וְאַבְנֵ֖י מִלֻּאִ֑ים
NAS: and onyx stones and setting
KJV: And onyx stones, and stones
INT: stones and onyx stones and setting

Exodus 35:27
HEB: אֵ֚ת אַבְנֵ֣י הַשֹּׁ֔הַם וְאֵ֖ת אַבְנֵ֣י
NAS: brought the onyx stones
KJV: brought onyx stones,
INT: brought stones the onyx and the stones setting

Exodus 39:6
HEB: אֶת־ אַבְנֵ֣י הַשֹּׁ֔הַם מֻֽסַבֹּ֖ת מִשְׁבְּצֹ֣ת
NAS: They made the onyx stones, set
KJV: And they wrought onyx stones inclosed
INT: made stones the onyx inclosed filigree

Exodus 39:13
HEB: הָֽרְבִיעִ֔י תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ שֹׁ֖הַם וְיָשְׁפֵ֑ה מֽוּסַבֹּ֛ת
NAS: a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper.
KJV: a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper:
INT: and the fourth A beryl an onyx jasper inclosed

1 Chronicles 29:2
HEB: לָעֵצִ֑ים אַבְנֵי־ שֹׁ֨הַם וּמִלּוּאִ֜ים אַבְנֵי־
NAS: for the [things of] wood, onyx stones
KJV: for [things] of wood; onyx stones,
INT: wood stones onyx and inlaid stones

Job 28:16
HEB: בְּכֶ֣תֶם אוֹפִ֑יר בְּשֹׁ֖הַם יָקָ֣ר וְסַפִּֽיר׃
NAS: In precious onyx, or sapphire.
KJV: with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
INT: the gold of Ophir onyx precious sapphire

Ezekiel 28:13
HEB: וְיָהֲלֹ֗ם תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ שֹׁ֙הַם֙ וְיָ֣שְׁפֵ֔ה סַפִּ֣יר
NAS: The beryl, the onyx and the jasper;
KJV: the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper,
INT: and the diamond the beryl the onyx and the jasper the lapis

11 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7718
11 Occurrences

bə·šō·ham — 1 Occ.
haš·šō·ham — 3 Occ.
šō·ham — 6 Occ.
wə·šō·ham — 1 Occ.