Onyx is a precious stone mentioned several times in the Bible, often associated with beauty, wealth, and divine craftsmanship. It is a form of chalcedony, a variety of quartz, characterized by its parallel bands of color, typically black and white. In biblical times, onyx was highly valued and used in various religious and ceremonial contexts.

Biblical References:

1. Creation and the Garden of Eden:
Onyx is first mentioned in the context of the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 2:12, the land of Havilah is described as a place where gold, bdellium, and onyx stone are found: "And the gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx stone are there." This early mention highlights the stone's significance and value from the very beginning of human history.

2. Priestly Garments:
Onyx stones were integral to the high priest's garments, specifically the ephod. In Exodus 28:9-12, God commands Moses to use onyx stones for the ephod: "Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel... Fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel." These stones served as a reminder of the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing the priest's role as an intercessor for the people before God.

3. The Breastplate of Judgment:
The breastplate worn by the high priest also featured onyx among other precious stones. In Exodus 28:20, onyx is listed as one of the stones set in the breastplate: "And the fourth row shall be a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper." This inclusion further emphasizes the stone's importance in the religious and ceremonial life of Israel.

4. Solomon's Temple:
Onyx was also used in the construction of Solomon's Temple, a symbol of divine presence and glory. In 1 Chronicles 29:2, King David mentions onyx in his preparations for the temple: "Now with all my ability I have provided for the house of my God: the gold for the gold work, the silver for the silver, the bronze for the bronze, the iron for the iron, and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and alabaster in abundance."

5. Symbol of Wealth and Beauty:
Onyx is often associated with wealth and beauty in the Bible. In Ezekiel 28:13, the prophet describes the king of Tyre with imagery that includes onyx: "You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond; beryl, onyx, and jasper; sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation."

Symbolism and Significance:

Onyx, as a precious stone, symbolizes strength, durability, and divine favor. Its use in the high priest's garments and the temple underscores its role in representing the presence and holiness of God. The stone's beauty and rarity make it a fitting symbol of the divine craftsmanship and the splendor of God's creation. Throughout the Bible, onyx serves as a reminder of the wealth and beauty bestowed by God upon His people and His dwelling places.Job 28:16
It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 28:13
You have been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of your tabrets and of your pipes was prepared in you in the day that you were created.
Nave's Topical Index

4557. sardonux -- sardonyx
... sar-don'-oox) Short Definition: sardonyx Definition: sardonyx, a precious stone,
white streaked ... onux (the nail of a finger; hence the "onyx" stone); a "sardonyx ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4557.htm - 6k3095. yahalom -- (a precious stone) perhaps jasper or onyx
... diamond. From halam (in the sense of hardness); a precious stone, probably onyx --
diamond. see HEBREW halam. 3094, 3095. yahalom. 3096 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3095.htm - 6k

Another Cavil Met, IE , the Devil who Instigated Man to Sin ...
... "Every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, the topaz, and the diamond,
the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter x another cavil met i e.htm

Of the Fall of the Devil and the Angels.
... wast in the pleasures of the paradise of God: every precious stone was thy covering:
the sardius, the topaz and the jasper, the chrysolyte and the onyx and the ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter viii of the fall 2.htm

On Counter Promises.
... sapphire, and chalcedony, and emerald, and sardonyx, and onyx, and chrysolite ... and
moulded, and made a living stone, a stone elect and precious, because he ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter xi on counter promises.htm

The People of the New Earth
... of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of precious stone. ... almost
transparent): the third, a chalcedony (a kind of agate or onyx, probably bluish ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the people of the new.htm

The Names on Aaron's Breastplate
... cloth, in which were lodged twelve precious stones, in four rows of three, each
stone containing the ... shoulder it was clasped by an onyx stone bearing the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the names on aarons breastplate.htm

Trust in God --True Wisdom
... with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the ... be attacked by robbers and
may lose our precious treasures ... he, "will you dash your head against a stone? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/trust in godtrue wisdom.htm

Fragment vi. In a Similar Manner Should He Conduct Himself to ...
... should make an inventory of how many and which sort of precious stones are ... Some think
they were made of onyx stone, others of variegated glass: but most modern ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/theonas/epistle of phileas/fragment vi in a similar.htm

The Work of Christ.
... before God rolled away the stone? ... Upon both the onyx stones, upon the shoulder and
the twelve ... of the Israelites were engraven upon these precious stones also ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the work of christ/ii the work of christ.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... and on his shoulders he bore two onyx stones, on ... On this rational there were twelve
precious stones set in ... on the rational was placed a stone which changed ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

Chapter ii
... consistently? ""Bdellium" apparently was a precious gum of antiquity. ... appearance.
The sh??ham stone, rendered "onyx" above, may never be identified. Two ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter ii.htm

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