ONYX AND SARDONYX. 329 



MARBLE. 



LXX., Vulgate, and Aquila and Theodotion, understand by 

 the Hebrew shesh, parian-stone, or marble, which is of a fine white 

 color. Its name is derived from the island of Paros, where it is 

 procured. Among the materials which David provided for build- 

 ing the temple, was this fine valuable stone (1 Chron. xxix. 2) ; and 

 it was also employed for laying the pavement in the palace of Ahas- 

 uerus, Esther i. 6. 



The finest Grecian sculpture that has been preserved to the pres- 

 ent time is of Parian marble. 



ONYX AND SARDONYX. 



IF we may judge from the variety of renderings which have been 

 given by the LXX. of the Hebrew word shohem, they do not ap- 

 pear to have had any certain idea of the kind of stone'which it de- 

 noted. They translate it variously, topaz, emerald, beryl, sardo- 

 nyx, sapphire, and onyx. The Vulgate always renders onyx. Brau- 

 nius takes it to be the sardonyx, which according to Pliny is a 

 precious stone of a flesh color> inclining to white. 



The onyx, which is a kind of chalcedony, derives its name from 

 the Greek language, and has been given to it on account of its re- 

 semblance in color to the whitish band at the base of the human 

 nail. The distinction which appears to be made between onyx 

 and sardonyx, arises from the colors of the former being arranged 

 either concentrically, or in a somewhat confused manner, and those 

 of the latter in regular stripes or bands. Of the sardonyx, the an- 

 cients made those beautiful cameos, many of which still ornament 

 our cabinets. 



This kind of stone was found with the gold and bdellium of the 

 river Pison in the garden of Eden (Gen.ii. 12), and in Exod.xxviii. 

 9, 10, Moses is directed to take two onyx stones, and engrave on 

 them the names of the children of Israel. From J Chron. xxix. 2, 

 we find that the name of shohem or onyx, was given to a kind of 

 marble, as it is by no means probable that David found the gem so 

 named, ' in abundance,' for the temple. 



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