שְׁחֵ֫לֶת (she.che.let)
she.che.let
onycha
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew word shechelet refers to onycha, a specific aromatic resin used as an ingredient in the sacred incense described in Exodus 30:34. This substance was one of four components blended with frankincense to create the holy perfume intended for use in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The term appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, marking its specialized role within the ritual instructions given to Moses.
While the exact botanical source of onycha remains debated among scholars—often linked to the resin of the opium poppy or a substance from sea snails—the text itself focuses on its function rather than its origin. Its inclusion in the holy incense underscores the seriousness of the worship regulations, where the precise composition of the mixture was considered essential for maintaining ritual purity and honoring God’s specific commands.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shechelet points to a specific ingredient in the sacred incense God commanded for the Tabernacle. This aromatic resin, likely derived from a sea snail or plant gum, was blended with frankincense and other spices to create a unique fragrance. Its single mention in Exodus highlights how carefully God defined the elements of worship, showing that He values both the heart behind our praise and the specific ways we honor Him.
For your faith life, this detail reminds us that worship is not a generic activity but a deliberate act of reverence. Just as the priests prepared the incense with precision, you can bring your daily prayers and acts of service to God with intentionality. The sweet aroma rising from the Tabernacle symbolizes how our devoted lives, when aligned with His will, become a pleasing offering to Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ onycha1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/שְׁחֵ֙לֶת֙1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 30:34
Yahweh said to Moses, “Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, onycha, and galbanum: sweet spices with pure frankincense. There shall be an equal weight of each.
This verse uniquely identifies shechelet as one of the four essential components required for the holy incense, emphasizing its irreplaceable role in the ritual.