Onycha

Onycha is one of the four named ingredients in the holy incense Yahweh prescribes to Moses on Sinai. It is identified only by its place in the recipe.

Among the Sweet Spices

The incense for the sanctuary is compounded from a fixed list, given in equal measures. Onycha appears between stacte and galbanum: "And Yahweh said to Moses, Take to you sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each there will be a like weight" (Ex 30:34).

The text does not describe what onycha is or how it is prepared; it is simply listed alongside stacte, galbanum, and frankincense as one of the components of equal weight that go into the sacred mixture. The single occurrence is enough to establish its place in the prescribed worship of the tabernacle.