Topical Encyclopedia
Thorns are a recurring symbol and physical reality in the Bible, representing various spiritual and moral themes. They appear in both the Old and New Testaments, often symbolizing sin, suffering, and the consequences of disobedience to God.
Old Testament ReferencesThe first mention of thorns occurs in
Genesis 3:18, following the fall of man. As part of the curse pronounced upon the ground due to Adam's sin, God declares, "It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field." Here, thorns symbolize the hardship and toil that result from humanity's disobedience.
In the Mosaic Law, thorns are used metaphorically to describe the consequences of failing to drive out the inhabitants of the Promised Land.
Numbers 33:55 warns, "But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides; they will give you trouble in the land where you will live." This passage illustrates the spiritual danger of allowing sin to persist in one's life.
The prophets also use thorns to convey messages of judgment and repentance. In
Hosea 2:6, God says, "Therefore, behold, I will hedge up her way with thorns; I will enclose her with a wall, so that she cannot find her paths." Here, thorns represent the obstacles God places in the way of Israel's unfaithfulness, urging them to return to Him.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, thorns continue to carry symbolic weight. Jesus uses the imagery of thorns in the Parable of the Sower. In
Matthew 13:7, He describes seed falling among thorns, which grow up and choke the plants. He later explains in
Matthew 13:22, "The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful." Thorns here symbolize the distractions and temptations that prevent spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
The Apostle Paul speaks of a "thorn in the flesh" in
2 Corinthians 12:7, saying, "To keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me." While the exact nature of this thorn is not specified, it represents a persistent trial or affliction that serves to keep Paul humble and reliant on God's grace.
Symbolism and ThemesThroughout Scripture, thorns are emblematic of the consequences of sin and the trials of life. They remind believers of the fallen state of the world and the need for redemption. Thorns also serve as a metaphor for the spiritual challenges that can hinder one's relationship with God, urging vigilance and perseverance in faith.
In a redemptive context, the crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head during His crucifixion (
Matthew 27:29) symbolizes the suffering and sacrifice He endured to atone for humanity's sins. This act transforms the symbol of thorns from one of curse and suffering to one of salvation and hope, highlighting the profound depth of Christ's love and the ultimate victory over sin and death.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
ThornsandThistles. There appear to be eighteen or twenty Hebrew words which point to different kinds of prickly or thorny shrubs. These words are variously rendered in the Authorized Version By "thorns," "briers," "thistles," etc. Palestine abounded in a great variety of such plants. ("Travellers call the holy land a land of thorns.? Giant thistles, growing to the height of a man on horseback, frequently spread over regions once rich and fruitful, as they do on the pampas of South America; and many of the most interesting historic spats and ruins are rendered almost inaccessible by thickets of fiercely-armed buckthorns. Entire fields are covered with the troublesome creeping stems of the spinousononis , while the bare hillsides are studded with the dangerous capsules of thepuliuris andtribulus . Roses of the most prickly kinds abound on the lower slopes of Hermon; while the sub-tropical valleys of Judea are choked up in many places by the thornylycium ." --Biblical Things not generally Known.)Crown of thorns. --The crown which was put in derision upon our Lord's head before his crucifixion, is by some supposed to have been theRhamnus , orSpina Christi ; but although abundant in the neighborhood of Jerusalem, it cannot be the plant intended, because its thorns are so strong and large that it could not have been woven into a wreath. The large-leaved acanthus (bear's-foot) is totally unsuited for the purpose. Had the acacia been intended, as some suppose, the phrase would have beenex akanthes . Obviously some small, flexile, thorny shrub is meant; perhapsCappares spinosae . Hasselquist ("Travels," p. 260) says that the thorn used was the Arabiannabk . "It was very suitable for their purpose, as it has many sharp thorns, which inflict painful wounds; and its flexible, pliant and round branches might easily be plaited in the form of a crown." It also resembles the rich dark crown green of the triumphal ivy-wreath, which would give additional pungency to its ironical purpose.
ATS Bible Dictionary
ThornsSeeTHISTLES.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CROWN OF THORNSthornz (akdnthinos stephanos): Three of the four evangelists mention the crown of thorns, wherewith the rude Roman soldiers derided the captive Christ (Matthew 27:29Mark 15:17John 19:2). All speak of the akanthine (Acanthus) crown, but there is no certainty about the peculiar plant, from the branches of which this crown of cruel mockery was plaited. The rabbinical books. mention no less than twenty-two words in the Bible signifying thorny plants, and the word akantha in the New Testament Greek is a generic and not a specific term. And this word or its adjective is used in the three Gospels, quoted above. It is therefore impossible definitely to determine what was the exact plant or tree, whose thorny branches were selected for this purpose. Tobler (Denkbl., 113, 179) inclines to the Spina Christi, as did Hasselquist. Its botanical name is Zizyphus Spina Christi, It is very common in the East. Its spines are small and sharp, its branches soft, round and pliable, and the leaves look like ivy, with a dark, shiny green color, making them therefore very adaptable to the purpose of the soldiers. Others have designated the Paliurus aculeatus or the Lycium horridum. Both Geikie (Life of Christ, 549) and Farrar (Life of Christ, note 625) point to the Nubk (Zizyphus lotus). Says the latter, "The Nubk struck me, as it has all travelers in Palestine, as being most suitable both for mockery and pain, since its leaves are bright and its thorns singularly strong. But though the Nubk is very common on the shores of Galilee, I saw none of it near Jerusalem." The settlement of the question is manifestly impossible.
Henry E. Dosker
Greek
174. akanthinos -- ofthorns... of
thorns. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: akanthinos Phonetic Spelling:
(ak-an'-thee-nos) Short Definition: made of
thorns Definition: made of
thorns...173. akantha -- a prickly plant, thorn
... thorn. Word Origin from ake (a point, edge) Definition a prickly plant, thorn
NASB Word Usage thorn (1),thorns (13). thorn. Probably...
4735. stephanos -- that which surrounds, ie a crown
... [4735 () is used of a plaited wreath ("crown"), like the one made ofthorns placed
on the head of Christ at His trial (Mt 27:29, Mk 15:17; Jn 19:2,5).]....
Strong's Hebrew
5621. sarab -- perhapsthorns... 5620, 5621. sarab. 5622 . perhaps
thorns. Transliteration: sarab Phonetic
Spelling: (saw-rawb') Short Definition: thistles. Word
...7898. shayith -- thornbushes
... 7897, 7898. shayith. 7899 . thornbushes. Transliteration: shayith Phonetic
Spelling: (shah'-yith) Short Definition:thorns....thorns....
6975. qots -- a thorn, thornbush
... 6974, 6975. qots. 6976 . a thorn, thornbush. Transliteration: qots Phonetic
Spelling: (kotse) Short Definition:thorns. Word Origin...
6796. tsanin -- a thorn, prick
... 6795, 6796. tsanin. 6797 . a thorn, prick. Transliteration: tsanin Phonetic
Spelling: (tsaw-neen') Short Definition:thorns. Word...
6791. tsen -- perhaps a thorn, barb
... 6790, 6791. tsen. 6792 . perhaps a thorn, barb. Transliteration: tsen
Phonetic Spelling: (tsane) Short Definition:thorns. Word...
5518b. sir -- a thorn, hook
... 5518a, 5518b. sir. 5519 . a thorn, hook. Transliteration: sir Short
Definition:thorns. Word Origin from the same as sir Definition...
329. atad -- a bramble, buckthorn, also a city in Canaan
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a bramble, buckthorn, also a city in
Canaan NASB Word Usage Atad (2), bramble (3),thorns (1). Atad, bramble, thorn....
7848. shittah -- acacia (a tree and a wood)
... only in the plural shittiym {shit-teem'}; meaning the sticks of wood) from the same
as shotet; the acacia (from its scourgingthorns) -- shittah, shittim....
5544. sillon -- a briar
... Definition: brier. Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a briar
NASB Word Usage brier (1),thorns (1). brier, thorn. Or...
1698. deber -- pestilence
... Word Origin from dabar Definition pestilence NASB Word Usage pestilence
(38), plague (10),thorns (1). murrain, pestilence, plague....
Library
The Crown ofThorns
The Crown ofThorns. <. The Crown ofThorns EH Chapin. Produced by An
Anonymous Volunteer Table of Contents. Title Page. PREFACE....
Seed amongThorns
... VOLUME I: ST. LUKE Chaps. I to XII SEED AMONGTHORNS. 'And that which fell
amongthorns are they, which, when they have heard, go...
The Crowning withThorns.
... CHAPTER XXVI. The Crowning withThorns.... A gallery encircled the inner court of the
guardhouse where our Lord was crowned withthorns, and the doors were open....
The Crown ofThorns.
... CHAPTER VII. THE CROWN OFTHORNS.... Of all the features of the scene the one that has
most impressed the imagination of Christendom is the crown ofthorns....
As the Lily amongThorns, So is My Love among the Daughters.
... CHAPTER II. 2. As the lily amongthorns, so is my love among the daughters.
By these words the Bridegroom signifies the progress...
The Hedge ofThorns and the Plain Way
... The Hedge ofThorns and the Plain Way.... "The way of the slothful man is as an hedge
ofthorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.""Proverbs 15:19....
"Do Men Gather Grapes ofThorns?"
... XXXVIII. "DO MEN GATHER GRAPES OFTHORNS?". This question was asked by a man who
knew more than any one else, and he knew very well what the answer would be....
Sown amongThorns
... Sown AmongThorns. A Sermon... At [7]the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "And some
fell amongthorns; and thethorns sprung up, and choked them""Matthew 13:7....
The Crown ofThorns
The Crown ofThorns. <.... Title Page. THE CROWN OFTHORNS
A TOKEN FOR THE SORROWING. by EH Chapin....
Petilianus Said: "But You ScatterThorns and Tares...
... Book II. Chapter 91. " 198. Petilianus said: "But you scatterthorns and
tares? "198. Petilianus said: "But you scatterthorns...
Thesaurus
Thorns (56 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CROWN OF
THORNS.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Thorns (56 Occurrences). Matthew 7:16 By their fruits you will know them.
...Crown (94 Occurrences)
... amaranth.". Crown ofthorns. Our Lord was crowned with a, in mockery by the Romans
(Matthew 27:29).... William Edward Raffety. CROWN OFTHORNS. thornz...
Briers (17 Occurrences)
... Luke 6:44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don't gather figs
fromthorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. (See NIV)....
Briars (11 Occurrences)
... Briars (11 Occurrences). Hebrews 6:8 but bringing forththorns and briars, it is
found worthless and nigh to a curse, whose end is to be burned. (DBY)....
Choke (6 Occurrences)
... of "to strangle" "smother," "suffocate," as if by depriving of breath, in describing
the fate of the young grain growing in the midst ofthorns (Matthew 13:7...
Brier (10 Occurrences)
... BRIER. bri'-er. SeeTHORNS. Multi-Version Concordance... Isaiah 5:6 I will lay it a
wasteland. It won't be pruned nor hoed, but it will grow briers andthorns....
Choked (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Choked (6 Occurrences). Matthew 13:7 Others fell among
thorns. Thethorns grew up and choked them. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Stifle (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Stifle (5 Occurrences). Matthew 13:7 Some falls among
thethorns; but thethorns spring up and stifle it. (WEY)....
Thistles (9 Occurrences)
... this'-'-lz. SeeTHORNS. Multi-Version Concordance... Matthew 7:16 By their fruits you
will know them. Do you gather grapes fromthorns, or figs from thistles?...
Nettles (5 Occurrences)
... nettles" is due to the supposed derivations of charul from an (obsolete) charal,
meaning "to be sharp" or "stinging," but a translation "thorns" (as in Vulgate...
Resources
What is the meaning and significance of the crown of thorns? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the lily of the valley (Song of Solomon 2:1)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Sacred Heart of Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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