Onycha is another substance that others claim to be one of the essential oils mentioned in the bible. Just like galbanum (LINK), it is mentioned in the Bible only once. It can be found in Exodus 30:34-38 where it was specified to be one of the ingredients for the temple’s perfume (or incense as other bible version claim). Looking at different bibles, bible dictionaries, and books written by historical figures would tell us otherwise.
Onycha is a shellfish
Essential oils “are highly aromatic substances that are made in plants by special cells.” (3) hence, for an essential oil to be considered an essential oil, the raw material should come from plants and not from shellfish or animals. If the oils come from other sources they will only be simply referred to as oil. Oil is the generic term we use for different kinds of oils that have been sourced from different raw materials may they be animals, vegetables, fruits or any plants.
Referring to different literature and a particular bible version we would discover that onycha is not a plant but a shellfish.
Mollusk shell
Let’s compare the King James and New Living Translation (NLT) Bible version of Exodus 30:34.
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight – Exodus 30:34, King James Bible Version
“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Gather fragrant spices— resin droplets, mollusk shell, and galbanum— and mix these fragrant spices with pure frankincense, weighed out in equal amounts.” Exodus 30:34, New Living Translation (NLT)
In the King James Bible version, the word used is onycha, however looking at NLT we would find that instead of using onycha, the term used to pertain to it is “mollusk shell”
Therefore we can safely conclude that onycha is a mollusk shell.
Wing shell
Easton Bible Dictionary also verified that onycha is the nail or claw of a shellfish that was used as an ingredient in the incense for the temple. It also described its scent as having a strong odor that resembles castoreum when it has been burned. This was abundant (common) in the Red Sea. (4)
Freshwater mussels
The writing of Dioscorides in his Materia Medica also agrees that onycha is a shellfish. Dioscorides filed onycha under the living creatures category in his book and used the term ‘onyx’ and ‘unguis’.
While the Matthew George Easton Bible Dictionary claimed onycha is the claw or nail of a wing shell, Dioscorides stated that it is the covering of the shellfish.
About its place of origin, Dioscorides mentioned that it can be found in the lakes of India that have nardus (nardus-bearing lakes), but the best ones were from the red sea. There were also onycha in Babylonia which were black and smaller, which was the opposite of the ones that were found in the red sea which were white and fat.
About the scent, onycha has a strong smell like castoreum when it’s burned according to Easton Dictionary. Dioscorides indicated that the Babylonian onycha has a sweet odor that is similar to castor. Meanwhile, the onycha from India also smells sweet, as Dioscorides concluded that this was because they were feeding the nardus plant.
Effect of onycha’s odor
When oycha has been burned and its smoke has been inhaled by women, it helps women with constriction of the uterus, by restoring it (5). It also helps those who have falling sickness.
“34 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:
35 And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:
36 And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.
37 And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD.
38 Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.” – Exodus 30:34-38
Let genuine sweet scent emit 💋❤
References:
- (1) King James Bible Version
- (2) New Living Translation (NLT) bible version
- (3) Davis, P. Aromatherapy an A-Z. 1988. C.W. Daniel Company Limited.
- (4) Illustrated Bible Dictionary by Matthew George Easton via My Bible App
- (5) TA Osbaldeston, RPA Wood., The Herbal of Dioscorides the Greek (Modern English Version) 2000
Oil Therapy 