Berean Strong's Lexicon shecheleth: Onycha Original Word: שְׁחֶלֶת Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to peel off in flakes or scales. Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Greek equivalent in the Strong's Concordance for "shecheleth," as it is a specific Hebrew term related to the composition of the sacred incense. Usage: The term "shecheleth" refers to one of the ingredients used in the sacred incense as prescribed in the Old Testament. It is traditionally understood to be "onycha," a substance derived from the operculum of certain mollusks, which was used for its aromatic properties. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israel, incense played a significant role in religious rituals and was considered a symbol of prayer and worship ascending to God. The specific formula for the sacred incense, which included shecheleth, was given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 30:34-38). The use of incense was integral to the tabernacle and later the temple services, signifying the holiness and sanctity of the worship environment. Onycha, as part of this incense, was valued for its fragrance and was likely imported from regions where the mollusks were found, such as the Red Sea or the Indian Ocean. 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 be hot, then inflamed; Aramaic שְׁחַן, be warm, heat). 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 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 |