הַ/שֹּֽׁהַם
𐤄/𐤔𐤄𐤌
shôham
onyx
A precious stone listed among the gems adorning the high priest's breastpiece and the settings on the priestly ephod; the specific variety is uncertain, but it is most often identified as onyx, though alternative identifications such as beryl, sardonyx, or malachite have been proposed due to the ambiguity of gem names in biblical Hebrew. The word refers consistently to an ornamental or ceremonial gemstone, likely valued for its color and rarity.
Genesis 2:12 · Word #8
Lexicon H7718
| Lemma | שֹׁהַם |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤔𐤄𐤌 |
| Transliteration | shôham |
| Strong's | H7718 |
| Definition | A precious stone listed among the gems adorning the high priest's breastpiece and the settings on the priestly ephod; the specific variety is uncertain, but it is most often identified as onyx, though alternative identifications such as beryl, sardonyx, or malachite have been proposed due to the ambiguity of gem names in biblical Hebrew. The word refers consistently to an ornamental or ceremonial gemstone, likely valued for its color and rarity. |
Morphology HTd/Ncmsa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | m — Masculine — Masculine |
| Number | s — Singular — Singular |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
Common Translation
| Phrase | onyx |
SIBI-P1 Translation H7718-02
the precious gemstone
| Morphological Notes | Noun, common masculine singular absolute with prefixed definite article (הַ). |
| Rendering Rationale | The noun denotes a specific valued ornamental stone used in priestly adornment; since the precise mineral identification is uncertain, a generic yet faithful rendering preserves its core sense as a prized gem. The prefixed definite article הַ requires "the," and the singular masculine form is reflected in "gemstone." |
View full lexicon entry for H7718 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
the onyx
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | Changed from 'the precious gemstone' to 'the onyx' because the term refers specifically to a type of gemstone traditionally rendered onyx, and the proper noun/gem name should be preserved per instruction. |