Onyx is a precious stone mentioned several times in the Bible, known for its beauty and significance in ancient times. It is a form of chalcedony, a variety of quartz, characterized by its parallel bands of color, typically black and white. In biblical contexts, onyx is often associated with wealth, craftsmanship, and divine instruction.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 2:12 · The first mention of onyx in the Bible is found in the description of the land of Havilah: "And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there." This reference highlights the natural abundance and value of onyx in the region, indicating its importance from the earliest times.

2. Exodus 25:7; 28:9-12, 20; 35:9, 27; 39:6, 13 · Onyx stones were used in the construction of the Tabernacle, specifically in the garments of the High Priest. The ephod, a sacred vestment, featured two onyx stones on the shoulders, each engraved with the names of six tribes of Israel: "And you shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel" (Exodus 28:9). These stones served as a memorial, symbolizing the High Priest's role in bearing the tribes before the Lord.

3. 1 Chronicles 29:2 · King David, in preparation for the building of the Temple, amassed a great quantity of materials, including onyx stones: "Now with all my ability I have made provision for the house of my God: gold for the gold articles, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron, and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise stones, stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and alabaster in abundance."

4. Job 28:16 · In the poetic discourse on wisdom, onyx is mentioned as a measure of wealth and value: "It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire."

5. Ezekiel 28:13 · The prophet Ezekiel, in his lamentation over the King of Tyre, describes the king's adornment with precious stones, including 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 you were created."

Symbolism and Significance:

Onyx, in the biblical narrative, is often associated with divine craftsmanship and the beauty of God's creation. Its use in the High Priest's garments signifies the importance of remembrance and representation before God. The stone's inclusion in descriptions of wealth and beauty underscores its value and desirability in ancient cultures.

Theologically, onyx can be seen as a symbol of strength and endurance, reflecting the steadfastness required of God's people. Its presence in the Tabernacle and Temple preparations also points to the meticulous care and reverence required in worship and service to the Lord.

In summary, onyx holds a place of prominence in the biblical text, representing both material wealth and spiritual significance, woven into the fabric of Israel's history and worship practices.Onyx

(a nail) is the translation of the Hebrew shoham ; but there is some doubt as to its signification. Some writers believe that the "beryl" is intended; but the balance of authority is in favor of some variety of the onyx. ("The onyx is not a transparent stone, but as the color of the flesh appears through the nail (Greek onyx) on the human body, so the reddish mass which is below shines delicately through the whitish surface of the onyx. There are several varieties. White and reddish stripes alternating form the sardonyx; white and reddish gray, the chalcedony. When polished it has a fine lustre, and is easily wrought into a gem of great beauty."-Rosenmiller.

Onyx

A nail, the eleventh stone in the high priest's breastplate, Exodus 28:20. The modern onyx has some resemblance to the agate; and the color of the body of the stone is like that of the human nail; hence its name. The Hebrew word so translated is not known with certainty to signify the onyx; but denoted some valuable stone, Genesis 2:12; Exodus 25:7; 28:9-12,20. A species of marble resembling the onyx was known to the Greeks, and may have been the "onyx-stones" stored up by David for the temple, 1 Chronicles 29:2.

A hail; claw; hoof, (Hebrews shoham), a precious stone adorning the breast-plate of the high priest and the shoulders of the ephod (Exodus 28:9-12, 20; 35:27; Job 28:16; Ezek. 28:13). It was found in the land of Havilah (Genesis 2:12). The LXX. translates the Hebrew word by smaragdos, an emerald. Some think that the sardonyx is meant. But the onyx differs from the sardonyx in this, that while the latter has two layers (black and white) the former has three (black, white, and red). (n.) Chalcedony in parallel layers of different shades of color. It is used for making cameos, the figure being cut in one layer with the next as a ground.ONYX

on'-iks o'-niks.

See STONES, PRECIOUS.

4557. sardonux -- sardonyx
... sardonyx. From the base of sardios and onux (the nail of a finger; hence the "onyx"
stone); a "sardonyx", ie The gem so called -- sardonyx. see GREEK sardios. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4557.htm - 6k7718. shoham -- (a gem) perhaps an onyx
... 7717, 7718. shoham. 7719 . (a gem) perhaps an onyx. Transliteration:
shoham Phonetic Spelling: (sho'-ham) Short Definition: onyx. ...
/hebrew/7718.htm - 6k

3095. yahalom -- (a precious stone) perhaps jasper or onyx
... 3094, 3095. yahalom. 3096 . (a precious stone) perhaps jasper or onyx.
Transliteration: yahalom Phonetic Spelling: (yah-hal-ome') Short Definition: diamond ...
/hebrew/3095.htm - 6k

Introduction.
... beryl or chalcedony berullion b. beryllus onyx onyx or beryl onuchion a. onychinus
jasper jasper With the mystic jewel-work of the High Priest's breastplate ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/introduction 4.htm

High Priest
... and a carbuncle; the second, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; the third, a
ligure, an agate, and an amethyst, and the fourth, a beryl, an onyx and a ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter iv high priest.htm

Books of the Hebrew Canon.
... Hangings (xxxvi.8"19). Onyx stones (xxxvi.13"14). ... Onyx stones (xxxix.6"7).
Candlestick (xxxviii.13"17). Breastplate (xxxix.8"21). ...
/.../chapter ii books of the.htm

Introduction. Modesty in Apparel Becoming to Women,
... spun trees, and the Tyrians dyed, and the Phrygians embroidered with the needle,
and the Babylonians with the loom, and pearls gleamed, and onyx-stones flashed ...
/.../on the apparel of women/chapter i introduction modesty in apparel.htm

The Power of Little Things.
... hair, and rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood, oil for the
light, spices for anointing oil and for sweet incense, onyx stones, and ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter vi the power of.htm

Fragment vi. In a Similar Manner Should He Conduct Himself to ...
... Some think they were made of onyx stone, others of variegated glass: but most modern
writers suppose that what is meant was some sort of porcelain. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/theonas/epistle of phileas/fragment vi in a similar.htm

On Counter Promises.
... that it is to have a wall composed of many precious stones, as jasper, and sapphire,
and chalcedony, and emerald, and sardonyx, and onyx, and chrysolite, and ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter xi on counter promises.htm

Trust in God --True Wisdom
... weighted for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir,
with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. The gold and the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/trust in godtrue wisdom.htm

First Impressions
... choir and the readers. The soleas, or division which marked off the seats
of the clergy, was made of onyx. The tapestries which ...
/.../chapter xx first impressions.htm

The Scriptural Account of Paradise.
... Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
and the gold of that land is good, and there is bdellium and the onyx stone. ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xx the scriptural account of.htm

Onyx (16 Occurrences)
... But the onyx differs from the sardonyx in this, that while the latter has two layers
(black and white) the former has three (black, white, and red). ...ONYX. ...
/o/onyx.htm - 12k

Onyx-stones (1 Occurrence)
Onyx-stones. Onyx-stone, Onyx-stones. Oozing . Multi-Version
Concordance Onyx-stones (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 29 ...
/o/onyx-stones.htm - 7k

Onyx-stone (1 Occurrence)
Onyx-stone. Onyx, Onyx-stone. Onyx-stones . Multi-Version Concordance
Onyx-stone (1 Occurrence). Genesis 2:12 And the gold of that ...
/o/onyx-stone.htm - 6k

Mounted (32 Occurrences)
... Moses took God's rod in his hand. (See NAS). Exodus 25:7 onyx stones, and stones
to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate. (See NIV). ...
/m/mounted.htm - 15k

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

Ouches (8 Occurrences)
... it occurs 8 times, it is clear that the gold settings of the engraved stones forming
the breast-plate of the high priest are intended; the onyx stones forming ...
/o/ouches.htm - 10k

Settings (19 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:20 and the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper: they shall
be enclosed in gold in their settings. (WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NIV). ...
/s/settings.htm - 12k

Ephod (45 Occurrences)
... part of the sacerdotal habit among Jews, being a covering for the back and breast,
held together on the shoulders by two clasps or brooches of onyx stones set ...
/e/ephod.htm - 27k

Jasper (8 Occurrences)
... NIV). Exodus 28:20 and the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper:
they shall be enclosed in gold in their settings. (WEB ...
/j/jasper.htm - 10k

Gems (5 Occurrences)
... (n.) The chamois. Multi-Version Concordance Gems (5 Occurrences). Exodus 25:7 onyx
stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate. (See NIV) ...
/g/gems.htm - 7k

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