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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Onycha</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/o/onycha.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/exodus/30-34.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/o/onycha.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Onycha</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/o/onwards.htm" title="Onwards">◄</a> Onycha <a href="/topical/naves/o/onycha--a_component_of_the_sacred_ointment,_made_from_the_shells_of_a_species_of_mussel,_possessing_an_odor.htm" title="Onycha: A Component of the Sacred Ointment, Made from the Shells of a Species of Mussel, Possessing an Odor">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#smi" title="Smith's Bible Dictionary">Smith's</a> • <a href="#amt" title="American Tract Society Bible Dictionary">ATS</a> • <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#eas" title="Easton's Bible Dictionary">Easton's</a> • <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>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 <a href="/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34</a> : "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal measures.'"<br><br><b>Etymology and Identification</b><br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br><b>Symbolism and Use in Worship</b><br><br>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 <a href="/psalms/141-2.htm">Psalm 141:2</a> : "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering."<br><br>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 <a href="/exodus/30-37.htm">Exodus 30:37-38</a> : "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."<br><br><b>Theological Implications</b><br><br>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.<br><br>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 <a href="/revelation/5-8.htm">Revelation 5:8</a> : "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."<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>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.<a name="smi" id="smi"></a><div class="vheading2">Smith's Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Onycha</span><p>spoken of in (<a href="/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34</a>) 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.<a name="amt" id="amt"></a><div class="vheading2">ATS Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Onycha</span><p>An ingredient of the sacred incense, whose fragrance perfumed the sanctuary alone, <a href="/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34</a>. 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. </p><a name="eas" id="eas"></a><div class="vheading2">Easton's Bible Dictionary</div>A nail; claw; hoof, (Hebrews sheheleth; <a href="/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34</a>), 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. <a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>n.</I>) An ingredient of the Mosaic incense, probably the operculum of some kind of strombus.<p>2. (<I>n.</I>) The precious stone called onyx.<a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">ONYCHA</span><p>on'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 <a href="/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34</a> 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.")<br><br>Alfred Ely Day<p><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/7827.htm"><span class="l">7827. shecheleth -- (an ingredient of the holy incense) perhaps <b>...</b></span></a><br><b>...</b> shecheleth. 7828 . (an ingredient of the holy incense) perhaps <b>onycha</b>.<br> Transliteration: shecheleth Phonetic Spelling: (shekh-ay'-leth) Short Definition: <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/7827.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/mcgarvey/the_four-fold_gospel/v_annunciation_to_zacharias_of.htm"><span class="l">Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The temple incense was made of stacte, <b>onycha</b>, galbanum, and pure frankincense,<br> in equal parts, beaten very small"Exodus 30:7, 8, 34-38.] 10 The whole <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/v annunciation to zacharias of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/irenaeus/against_heresies/chapter_xxiv_folly_of_the_arguments.htm"><span class="l">Folly of the Arguments Derived by the Heretics from Numbers <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> The incense [3171] also, in like manner, [was compounded] of stacte, <b>onycha</b>, galbanum,<br> mint, and frankincense, all which do in no respect, either as to their <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxiv folly of the arguments.htm</font><p><a href="/library/bunyan/the_works_of_john_bunyan_volumes_1-3/solomons_temple_spiritualized.htm"><span class="l">Solomon's Temple Spiritualized</span></a> <br>The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/o/onycha.htm"><span class="l"><b>Onycha</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2. (n.) The precious stone called onyx. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. <b>ONYCHA</b>. <b>...</b><br> The form "<b>onycha</b>" was perhaps chosen to avoid confusion with "onyx," the stone. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/onycha.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/spices.htm"><span class="l">Spices (64 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (2) cammim (Exodus 30:34, "sweet spices")): "Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte,<br> and <b>onycha</b>, and galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense." It is a <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/spices.htm - 32k</font><p><a href="/topical/o/onwards.htm"><span class="l">Onwards (9 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/onwards.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/o/onyx.htm"><span class="l">Onyx (16 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/onyx.htm - 12k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/gum.htm"><span class="l">Gum (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Exodus 30:34 Yahweh said to Moses, "Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, and<br><b>onycha</b>, and galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/gum.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/galbanum.htm"><span class="l">Galbanum (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Exodus 30:34 Yahweh said to Moses, "Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, and<br><b>onycha</b>, and galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/galbanum.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/incense.htm"><span class="l">Incense (167 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> sweet incense" (keToreth ha-cammim, Exodus 25:6, etc.)-was compounded according<br> to a definite prescription of the perfumes, stacte, <b>onycha</b>, galbanum and pure <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/incense.htm - 44k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/frankincense.htm"><span class="l">Frankincense (22 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Exodus 30:34 Yahweh said to Moses, "Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, and<br><b>onycha</b>, and galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/frankincense.htm - 19k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/fragrant.htm"><span class="l">Fragrant (30 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Exodus 30:34 And Jehovah said to Moses, Take fragrant drugs stacte, and <b>onycha</b>,<br> and galbanum fragrant drugs and pure frankincense; in like proportions shall it <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/fragrant.htm - 16k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/resin.htm"><span class="l">Resin (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Exodus 30:34 Yahweh said to Moses, "Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, and<br><b>onycha</b>, and galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/resin.htm - 7k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-aromatherapy.html">What does the Bible say about aromatherapy? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/onycha.htm">Onycha: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Onycha (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34</a></span><br />Yahweh said to Moses, "Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, and <span class="boldtext">onycha</span>, and galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be an equal weight;<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/o/onycha.htm">Onycha</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/o/onycha--a_component_of_the_sacred_ointment,_made_from_the_shells_of_a_species_of_mussel,_possessing_an_odor.htm">Onycha: A Component of the Sacred Ointment, Made from the Shells of a Species of Mussel, Possessing an Odor</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/spices.htm">Spices (64 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/onwards.htm">Onwards (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/onyx.htm">Onyx (16 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gum.htm">Gum (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/galbanum.htm">Galbanum (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/incense.htm">Incense (167 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/frankincense.htm">Frankincense (22 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fragrant.htm">Fragrant (30 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/resin.htm">Resin (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/drugs.htm">Drugs (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/proportions.htm">Proportions (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/amounts.htm">Amounts (12 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/stacte.htm">Stacte (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/spice.htm">Spice (25 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sweet.htm">Sweet (147 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/equal.htm">Equal (70 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/weight.htm">Weight (143 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/weights.htm">Weights (14 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pure.htm">Pure (160 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/best.htm">Best (252 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/o/onwards.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Onwards"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Onwards" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/naves/o/onycha--a_component_of_the_sacred_ointment,_made_from_the_shells_of_a_species_of_mussel,_possessing_an_odor.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Onycha: A Component of the Sacred Ointment, Made from the Shells of a Species of Mussel, Possessing an Odor"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Onycha: A Component of the Sacred Ointment, Made from the Shells of a Species of Mussel, Possessing an Odor" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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