Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Onycha is a substance mentioned in the Bible as one of the ingredients in the sacred incense used in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. The reference to onycha is found in the book of Exodus, where God provides Moses with specific instructions for the composition of the holy incense. The relevant passage is Exodus 30:34 : "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal measures.'"Etymology and Identification The Hebrew word for onycha is "shecheleth" (שְׁחֵלֶת), and its precise identification has been a subject of scholarly debate. Traditionally, onycha is understood to be a fragrant material derived from a mollusk, specifically the operculum of certain sea snails. The operculum is a hard, protective cover that closes the opening of the snail's shell. When burned, it is said to produce a sweet, balsamic aroma. Some historical sources, including Jewish tradition, suggest that onycha was sourced from the Red Sea or the Indian Ocean, regions known for their marine life. The Talmud also discusses the use of onycha in the sacred incense, emphasizing its importance in the composition. Symbolism and Use in Worship In the context of biblical worship, onycha was a critical component of the incense that was burned on the altar of incense within the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The incense was a symbol of the prayers of the people ascending to God, as suggested in Psalm 141:2 : "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering." The use of onycha, along with other specified ingredients, underscores the importance of obedience to divine instructions in worship. The precise formulation of the incense was not to be replicated for personal use, as stated in Exodus 30:37-38 : "You are not to make any incense with this formula for yourselves; you shall regard it as holy to the LORD. Anyone who makes something like it to enjoy its fragrance shall be cut off from his people." Theological Implications The inclusion of onycha in the sacred incense highlights the theme of holiness and the distinctiveness of worship dedicated to God. The specific ingredients and their preparation signify the care and reverence required in approaching the divine presence. Onycha, as part of the incense, contributes to the sensory experience of worship, engaging the sense of smell to evoke a sense of awe and reverence. In a broader theological context, the use of incense, including onycha, can be seen as a foreshadowing of the prayers of the saints in the New Testament, as depicted in Revelation 5:8 : "And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." Conclusion While the exact nature of onycha remains a topic of historical and botanical inquiry, its role in the biblical narrative is clear. It serves as a testament to the detailed and sacred nature of worship as ordained by God, reflecting the broader biblical themes of holiness, obedience, and the spiritual significance of prayer. Smith's Bible Dictionary Onychaspoken of in (Exodus 30:34) was one of the ingredients of the sacred perfume. It consists of the shells of several kinds of mussels, which when burned emit a strong odor. ATS Bible Dictionary OnychaAn ingredient of the sacred incense, whose fragrance perfumed the sanctuary alone, Exodus 30:34. It is conjectured to mean the Blatta Bryzantina of the shops; an article which consists of the cover or lid of a species of muscle, and when burnt emits a musky odor. The best onycha is found in the Red Sea, and is white and large. Easton's Bible Dictionary A nail; claw; hoof, (Hebrews sheheleth; Exodus 30:34), a Latin word applied to the operculum, i.e., the claw or nail of the strombus or wing-shell, a univalve common in the Red Sea. The opercula of these shell-fish when burned emit a strong odour "like castoreum." This was an ingredient in the sacred incense. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) An ingredient of the Mosaic incense, probably the operculum of some kind of strombus.2. (n.) The precious stone called onyx. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ONYCHAon'i-ka (shecheleth; compare Arabic suchalat, "filings," "husks"): "Onycha" is a transliteration of the Septuagint onucha, accusative of onux, which means "nail," "claw," "hoof," and also "onyx," a precious stone. The form "onycha" was perhaps chosen to avoid confusion with "onyx," the stone. The Hebrew shecheleth occurs only in Exodus 30:34 as an ingredient of the sacred incense. It is supposed to denote the horny operculum found in certain species of marine gasteropod molluscs. The operculum is a disk attached to the upper side of the hinder part of the "foot" of the mollusc. When the animal draws itself into its shell, the hinder part of the foot comes last, and the operculum closes the mouth of the shell. The operculum, which may be horny or stony, is absent in some species. The horny opercula when burned emit a peculiar odor, and are still used in combination with other perfumes by the Arab women of Upper Egypt and Nubia. (See Sir S. Baker, The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia, cited by EB, under the word "Onycha.") Strong's Hebrew 7827. shecheleth -- (an ingredient of the holy incense) perhaps ...... shecheleth. 7828 . (an ingredient of the holy incense) perhaps onycha. Transliteration: shecheleth Phonetic Spelling: (shekh-ay'-leth) Short Definition: ... /hebrew/7827.htm - 6k Library Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist. Folly of the Arguments Derived by the Heretics from Numbers ... Solomon's Temple Spiritualized Thesaurus Onycha (1 Occurrence)... 2. (n.) The precious stone called onyx. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ONYCHA. ... The form "onycha" was perhaps chosen to avoid confusion with "onyx," the stone. ... /o/onycha.htm - 8k Spices (64 Occurrences) Onwards (9 Occurrences) Onyx (16 Occurrences) Gum (3 Occurrences) Galbanum (1 Occurrence) Incense (167 Occurrences) Frankincense (22 Occurrences) Fragrant (30 Occurrences) Resin (4 Occurrences) Resources What does the Bible say about aromatherapy? | GotQuestions.orgOnycha: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Onycha (1 Occurrence)Exodus 30:34 Subtopics Related Terms |
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