Lexical Summary sarab: Heat, mirage Original Word: סָרָב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance brier From an unused root meaning to sting; a thistle -- brier. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition perhaps thorns NASB Translation thistles (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [סָרָב] noun masculine rebel ? according to Thes and others (probably Aramaic loan-word, compare Aramaic  contradict, chatter, prattle, tell lies; Pa`el סְרַב and Late Hebrew Pi`el סֵרֵב = Biblical Hebrew; compare סרב Ecclus 41:2d loving contradiction); — plural absolute (i.e. אִתָּךְ) סָרָבִים וְסַלּוֺנִים אוֺתָ֑ךְ Ezekiel 2:6 rebelles et quasi spinae sunt erga te Thes; Vrss read participle, Co Berthol סֹרְבִים וְסֹלִים resisting and despising thee (compare סַלּוֺן); AV RV briers and thorns compare Ew Hi-Sm SiegfKau Da Toy. Topical Lexicon Imagery and SymbolismIn Scripture, briers and thorns serve as vivid emblems of curse, resistance, and pain. From the ground that brought forth thorns after Adam’s fall (Genesis 3:17-18) to the “thorns” choked among the seed in Jesus’ parable (Matthew 13:7), they consistently portray what is hostile to God’s design. The single occurrence of סָרָב (sarab) in Ezekiel adds another shade to that symbolism: not merely the presence of hardship, but the personification of a stubborn, wounding people who surround the prophet. Context in Ezekiel 2:6 The calling of Ezekiel unfolds in Babylonian exile, amid national humiliation and spiritual defection. To a prophet already overwhelmed by visions of God’s glory, the Lord warns: “And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or of their words, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or discouraged by their looks, for they are a rebellious house” (Ezekiel 2:6). By pairing “briers” (sarabim) with “scorpions,” the Spirit underscores both the passive irritation and the active venom Ezekiel will endure. The imagery legitimizes his suffering, while the repeated “do not be afraid” steels him for unwavering proclamation. Sarab, therefore, is less a botanical observation and more a spiritual diagnosis of Judah’s hardened heart. Intertextual Echoes 1. Curse and Futility: Genesis 3:17-18 first links thorns to divine judgment on sin. Ezekiel’s generation, shaped by covenant violation (Leviticus 26:18-39), experiences that curse in relational form—people become the thorns. Historical and Cultural Notes Thorny shrubs indigenous to the Near East formed natural hedges around fields and dwellings, deterring trespassers and animals. Their sharp protrusions, however, also trapped shepherds’ garments and inflicted wounds on passers-by. The metaphor aptly captured how social interaction with a rebellious populace could lacerate a faithful messenger. Rabbinic tradition noticed the sting implied in Ezekiel’s wording and viewed the phrase as a warning against capitulating to public scorn. Ministry Principles 1. Bold Faithfulness: The prophet’s assurance that God’s word outweighs human hostility emboldens Christian servants today who face ridicule or censorship (Acts 5:29). Theological Significance Sarab crystallizes the paradox of prophetic vocation: God calls His servants to stand amid abrasive resistance, assuring them of His sustaining presence. The word’s solitary appearance intensifies its force, reminding readers that even a single touch of divine speech can illuminate an entire mission field. Thorns may pierce, yet they cannot silence truth. Forms and Transliterations סָרָבִ֤ים סרבים sā·rā·ḇîm sārāḇîm saraVimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 2:6 HEB: תִּירָ֗א כִּ֣י סָרָבִ֤ים וְסַלּוֹנִים֙ אוֹתָ֔ךְ NAS: though thistles and thorns KJV: of their words, though briers and thorns INT: fear though thistles and thorns for 1 Occurrence |
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