Onyx

A precious stone characterized by bands of alternating colours which, when cut in different ways, provide for great aesthetic possibilities. Onyx is identified with the Hebrew word shoham in most English versions, though without certainty. Onyx, shoham, was one of the twelve precious stones inscribed with the names of the tribes of Israel and stitched into the high-priest's ephod and breastpiece (Exo 28:9-12).

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CONCORDANCE> (NIV)

Gen 2:12 — The gold of that land [Havilah] is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there."

Exo 25:7 — "[Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering . . . and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece."

Exo 28:9 — "[Make the ephod of gold] . . . Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel [in the order of their birth—six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other . . . and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel]."

Exo 28:20 — "[Fashion a breastpiece . . . Then mount four rows of precious stones on it . . .] in the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. Mount them in gold filigree settings.

Exo 35:9 — "[Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze] . . . and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece."

Exo 35:27 — "The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece."

Exo 39:6 — "They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings and engraved them like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel. [Then they fastened them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, as the Lord commanded Moses.]"

Exo 39:13 — "[Then they mounted four rows of precious stones on it. . . .] in the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. [They were mounted in gold filigree settings. There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.]

1 Chron 29:2 — "[Then King David said to the whole assembly: 'My son Solomon, . . .] With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God--gold for the gold work, 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 of various colours, and all kinds of fine stone and marble—all of these in large quantities."

Job 28:16 — "[But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.] . . . It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or sapphires."

Eze 28:13 — "Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: '. . . You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.] You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.'"