שהם
THE SHOHAM STONE
THE SHOHAM STONE
The gemstone name, "Onyx," listed several times in Sacred Scripture, derives from the Hebrew שהם, Shoham, meaning flock. God chose the onyx stone for the shoulder ephod of the high priest's Breastplate of Judgement. On the stone was engraved the names of Israel's twelve tribes, God's flock. The priests were entrusted to give them a shepherd's care; to pray for them:
And you shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth. And you shall set the two stones upon the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel; and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for remembrance. So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goes into the holy place, to bring them to continual remembrance before the Lord. [Ex. 28:9-12, 29]
The onyx stone serves as a reminder to us, God's "flock," of his constant love; thus, calling us to always turn toward Him in prayer, as flocks of sheep turn toward their shepherd. In the Greek lapidary tradition, onyx derives from the word, ὄνυξ, meaning fingernail. In some Jewish traditions, the weekly sabbath of prayer can be compared to the growth of a fingernail; a time of growth, reflection and conversion toward God. Two Aggadic sources citing an ancient Sabbath custom of specifically look at one’s fingernails explain: 1) In prayer and reflection, the pious are asking for the week to be fruitful and multiply - like fingernails. 2) The fire created after shabbos came out of the fingernails of Adam. (Kol Bo 41)
The Onyx figures most prominently of all gemstones mentioned in Sacred Scripture.
In the book of Genesis, Onyx is associated with the Pishon River flowing out of the Garden of Eden, to where the gold is good and there is lots of onyx. In the book of Sirach this same river is compared to the super natural wisdom acquired through a holy fear of the Lord; seeking to always do the holy will of God: "...It fills men with wisdom, like the Pishon," [Sir. 24:25, RSVCE]
Antiqued silver Miraculous Medal necklace set with Onyx gemstone on sterling silver rope chain.
$75.00 - $85.00
Sterling silver Sacred Heart of Jesus Medal with Onyx gemstone on 14 kt. gold filled & sterling silver rope chains. 16"
$75.00
Onyx gemstone necklace with bronze vintage recast Holy Spirit medal. 18" 14 kt. gold filled chain.
$85.00
Onyx gemstone and sterling silver Four Way Medal on sterling silver & 14kt. gold filled chain. 16".
$65.00
Bronze vintage recast Fleur de Lis medal necklace with Onyx gemstone on 14 kt. gold filled rope chain. 16"
$65.00
Bronze vintage recast Sacred Heart medal with Onyx gemstone medallion on 14 kt. gold filled rope chain. 22"
$95.00
Bronze vintage recast Miraculous Medal necklace with carved Onyx heart gemstone on 14 kt. gold filled rope chain. 16"
$75.00
Bronze vintage recast Rosary Medallion with Onyx gemstone on 14 kt. gold filled rope chain. 22".
$75.00
Bronze vintage recast monstrance medallion necklace with Onyx gemstone on 14 kt. rose & yellow gold-sterling vermeil chain. 16"
$85.00
Vintage recast Saint Benedict Cross Meditation Amulet with Onyx gemstone. Bronze and 14kt. gold filled. 22."
$95.00
Bronze vintage recast Miraculous Medal necklace with Onyx gemstone on 14 kt. gold filled rope chain. 16"
$75.00
Bronze vintage recast Sacred Heart Scapular Medal necklace with Onyx gemstone on 14 kt. gold filled rope chain. 16".
$65.00