5146. tribolos

Lexicon

tribolos: Thistle, thorn, brier

Original Word: τρίβολος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: tribolos
Pronunciation: TREE-bo-los
Phonetic Spelling: (trib'-ol-os)
Definition: Thistle, thorn, brier
Meaning: a thistle.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

brier, thistle.

From treis and belos; properly, a crow-foot (three-pronged obstruction in war), i.e. (by analogy) a thorny plant (caltrop) -- brier, thistle.

see GREEK treis

see GREEK belos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from treis and belos
Definition
a thistle
NASB Translation
thistles (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5146: τρίβολος

τρίβολος, τριβολου, ὁ (τρεῖς and βάλλω ((cf. βέλος), three-pointed)), a thistle, a prickly wild plant, hurtful to other plants: Matthew 7:16; Hebrews 6:8. (Aristophanes, others; the Sept. for דַּרְדַּר, Genesis 3:18; Hosea 10:8; for צְנִינִים thorns, Proverbs 22:5.) (Cf. B. D. under the word, Thorns and Thistles, 4; Löw, Aram. Pflanzennamen, § 302.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From the combination of τρεῖς (treis, meaning "three") and βέλος (belos, meaning "dart" or "point").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H2336 חוֹחַ (choach) • thorn
• H6975 קוֹץ (qots) • thorn, brier

These Hebrew terms similarly convey the idea of thorns or prickly plants, often used metaphorically in the Old Testament to represent sin, judgment, or the consequences of disobedience. The consistent use of such imagery across both Testaments highlights the enduring biblical theme of the need for spiritual fruitfulness and the dangers of spiritual neglect.

Usage: The term τρίβολος is used in the New Testament to describe thorns or thistles, particularly in the context of agricultural metaphors or parables.

Context: The Greek word τρίβολος appears in the New Testament in the context of agricultural imagery, often symbolizing obstacles or challenges. In Hebrews 6:8, the term is used to describe land that produces thorns and thistles, which is ultimately worthless and close to being cursed. This imagery serves as a metaphor for spiritual barrenness and the consequences of unfruitfulness in the life of a believer. The use of τρίβολος in this passage underscores the importance of producing good fruit in accordance with God's will, contrasting the fruitful life of a faithful believer with the barren life of one who turns away from God.

Hebrews 6:8 (BSB): "But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and soon to be cursed. Its end is to be burned."

The metaphor of thorns and thistles is consistent with Old Testament imagery, where such plants often symbolize desolation and judgment. The use of τρίβολος in the New Testament continues this tradition, emphasizing the spiritual consequences of failing to live a life pleasing to God.

Forms and Transliterations

τρίβολοι τριβόλοις τριβολους τριβόλους τριβολων τριβόλων tribolon tribolōn tribólon tribólōn tribolous tribólous

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 7:16 N-GMP
GRK: ἢ ἀπὸ τριβόλων σῦκα
NAS: figs from thistles, are they?
KJV: figs of thistles?
INT: or from thistles figs

Hebrews 6:8 N-AMP
GRK: ἀκάνθας καὶ τριβόλους ἀδόκιμος καὶ
NAS: thorns and thistles, it is worthless
KJV: thorns and briers [is] rejected, and
INT: thorns and thistles [is] rejected and

Strong's Greek 5146
2 Occurrences

τριβόλων — 1 Occ.
τριβόλους — 1 Occ.