Pliny notes in his Natural History (XII, 40) that this aromatic resin was utilized for incense; however, it remains unclear which species of Styrax provided the resin for incense: whether it was the resin from the Styrax officinalis tree, found also in Syria, or the resin from the Styrax benjoin tree, predominantly located in the islands of Java, Sumatra, and southern India. The latter is also known as frankincense, derived from the term meaning dew or drop, which translates the word stacta. This is used in our worship services today. It is uncertain whether during Moses' time, this resin was traded into northern Arabia, Egypt, and other regions. The embalming practices of ancient Egypt, which required many aromatic resinous substances, likely developed early methods to fulfill these needs.
In Hebrew, Oniha is referred to as shehelet, associated with the Greek word onyx (or nail). The Hebrew term specifically means shell. Pliny mentions (XXXII, 46) a type of shell that was ground into the incense mixture. Some believe it to be the Blatta Byzantina known from the Middle Ages, while O. Gerlach conjectures it could be unguis odoratus, a shell found in the Red Sea. Halvan, known in Hebrew as Helbena, is identified in the LXX as halbani and in the Vulgate as galbanum. O. Gerlach indicates it is resin from a shrub that grows in Syria, which locals burn to repel snakes. Galbanum resin is recognized in medicinal applications, yet Cook mentions that, despite trading for this resin, the exact plant from which it is derived remains uncertain. Although its scent is not appealing, when combined with other substances, it softens the harshness of the other resins, creating a more refined fragrance.
Lebanon, translated in Hebrew as Lebona meaning whitish, is regarded as one of the most valuable substances used. This resin, like others, likely originated from India, where it is known as salai. In Arabic, it is termed luban, although the tree does not grow in Arabia, even though the Hebrew name appears to align with the Arabic designation. The botanical name for this tree is Bostwellia thurifera; the Vulgate renders Lebanon as thus. Instead of the phrases found in verse 35 regarding making the composition pure and holy, some translators (like O. Gerlach and the Field Reading of the Uzak of the English Bible) interpret it as "make the composition with salt pure and holy." This interpretation comes from the Talmud and is followed by Maimonides and some contemporary commentators, referencing Leviticus II, 13, which states, "in every offering thou shalt bring (to the Lord thy God) salt." However, this interpretation is dismissed by the commentator of the Anglican Bible and by Knobel, who provides a translation consistent with the one presented here.
THEOSIS