Lexical Summary shecheleth: Onycha Original Word: שְׁחֶלֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance onycha Apparently from the same as shachal through some obscure idea, perhaps that of peeling off by concussion of sound; a scale or shell, i.e. The aromatic mussel. -- onycha. see HEBREW shachal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as shachal Definition (an ingredient of the holy incense) perhaps onycha NASB Translation onycha (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שְׁחֵ֫לֶת noun feminine an ingredient of the holy incense, + נָטָף, חֶלְבְּנָה, Exodus 30:34; ᵐ5 ᵑ9 ὄνυξ, onyx (whence AV onycha), i.e. unguis odoratus, the operculum, or closing-flap, of certain molluscs, with pungent odour whenburnt, see Thes1388f. Di Shipley-CookEncy. Bib. ONYCHA; so most; KG JacobZMG xliii (1889), 354 proposes amber. שׁחן (√ of following; compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Biblical Context Shechelet appears once, in the LORD’s directive for the sacred incense of the Tabernacle: “Take fragrant spices—stacte, onycha, galbanum—and pure frankincense, in equal measures” (Exodus 30:34). Together with the other ingredients, it was beaten into a finely blended perfume, reserved exclusively for the presence of God and forbidden for common use (Exodus 30:35-38). Its placement in the passage underscores the demand for holiness in worship and the divine prerogative to define what pleases Him. Physical Identification and Ancient Usage Traditionally shechelet (“onycha”) is linked to the operculum of certain Red Sea mollusks. When ground and mixed with other resins, it releases a warm, balsamic aroma that intensifies when heated—fitting for incense that must ascend in smoke. Some scholars have proposed alternative sources (labdanum, styrax, rock-rose bark), yet all maintain a Middle-Eastern origin consistent with Israel’s geography and trade routes. In antiquity the substance was prized for both fragrance and fixative properties, enabling the blended incense to burn slowly and evenly. Symbolic and Theological Themes 1. Sanctity of Worship: Only priests, after proper consecration, could handle the incense (Exodus 30:7-8). Shechelet’s inclusion marks it as a tangible emblem of set-apart devotion. Liturgical and Ministry Implications The single-use command (Exodus 30:37-38) guards against profaning that which is sacred. Modern ministry draws from this principle: Inter-Testamental and Rabbinic Insights Second-Temple sources list shechelet among eleven incense components, valued for mellowing sharper aromas. Rabbinic tradition held that even a trace of foreign fragrance invalidated the mixture, reinforcing the principle of doctrinal purity and separation from idolatry. Christological Insights As the fragrant incense rose before the mercy seat, so Christ “gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). Shechelet contributes to the typology of Christ’s mediatory work—unique, pleasing, and inaccessible to human manipulation apart from divine provision. Applications for Contemporary Believers • Guard the sacredness of prayer and worship settings. Key Passages for Further Study Exodus 30:34-38; Leviticus 16:12-13; Psalm 141:2; Malachi 1:11; Luke 1:9-10; 2 Corinthians 2:14-15; Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3-4 Forms and Transliterations וּשְׁחֵ֙לֶת֙ ושחלת ū·šə·ḥê·leṯ ūšəḥêleṯ usheCheletLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 30:34 HEB: סַמִּ֗ים נָטָ֤ף ׀ וּשְׁחֵ֙לֶת֙ וְחֶלְבְּנָ֔ה סַמִּ֖ים NAS: stacte and onycha and galbanum, KJV: stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; INT: spices stacte and onycha and galbanum spices 1 Occurrence |
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be hot, then inflamed; Aramaic שְׁחַן, 
be warm, heat).