Briars, often mentioned in the Bible, are thorny plants that symbolize desolation, judgment, and the consequences of sin. They are frequently used metaphorically to illustrate spiritual truths and the condition of the human heart when it is not aligned with God's will.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 3:18 · In the aftermath of the Fall, God pronounces a curse upon the ground, saying, "It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field." Here, briars are part of the curse resulting from Adam and Eve's disobedience, symbolizing the toil and hardship that would now accompany human labor.

2. Isaiah 5:6 · In the Song of the Vineyard, God declares judgment on Israel for their unfaithfulness: "I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it." Briars represent the desolation that comes from turning away from God.

3. Isaiah 7:23-25 · The prophet Isaiah speaks of a time when the land will be overrun with briars and thorns due to the people's rejection of God: "In that day, every place where there were a thousand vines worth a thousand shekels of silver will become briers and thorns." This imagery underscores the consequences of spiritual neglect and rebellion.

4. Ezekiel 28:24 · God promises Israel that they will no longer be plagued by "painful briers and sharp thorns" from their surrounding enemies. Here, briars symbolize the hostile nations that have been a source of suffering for Israel.

5. Hebrews 6:8 · The author warns against falling away from faith, stating, "But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and soon to be cursed. Its end is to be burned." Briars are used to illustrate the fruitlessness of a life that does not produce good works in accordance with faith.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical literature, briars often symbolize the spiritual barrenness and judgment that result from sin and disobedience. They serve as a reminder of the Fall and the ongoing struggle between humanity and the natural world, as well as the spiritual consequences of turning away from God. Briars also represent the obstacles and challenges that arise in a life not surrendered to divine guidance.

The presence of briars in prophetic literature often signifies impending judgment or the desolation that follows when a nation or individual forsakes God's commandments. Conversely, the removal or absence of briars can symbolize restoration, peace, and the blessings that come from living in accordance with God's will.

Practical Application:

For believers, the imagery of briars serves as a cautionary reminder to remain faithful and obedient to God's word. It encourages self-examination and repentance, urging individuals to cultivate a heart that is receptive to spiritual growth and fruitfulness. By understanding the biblical symbolism of briars, Christians are reminded of the importance of maintaining a close relationship with God to avoid spiritual desolation and to experience the fullness of His blessings.1303. barqanim -- briars
... 1302, 1303. barqanim. 1304 . briars. Transliteration: barqanim Phonetic
Spelling: (bar-kwan') Short Definition: briers. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/1303.htm - 6k

8068. shamir -- a thorn, adamant, flint
... 8067, 8068. shamir. 8069 . a thorn, adamant, flint. Transliteration: shamir
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-meer') Short Definition: briars. ...
/hebrew/8068.htm - 6k

2336. choach -- briar, bramble, hook, ring, fetter
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition briar, bramble, hook, ring, fetter
NASB Word Usage briars (1), hook (1), hooks (1), thickets (1), thistles (1 ...
/hebrew/2336.htm - 6k

Of the Affections, and the Opinion of the Peripatetics Respecting ...
... For as a field which is naturally fruitful produces an abundant crop of briars,
[1197] so the mind which is uncultivated is overgrown with vices flourishing of ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xv of the affections and.htm

The Adventures of Saint David of Wales.
... to beguile the way, they at length reached the confines of a dreadful forest, the
trees twisting and twining in every direction, and briars and creepers of all ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter ten the adventures of.htm

Book I to Pleasant Songs My Work was Erstwhile Given, and Bright ...
... These are they who stifle the fruit-bearing harvest of reason with the barren briars
of the passions: they free not the minds of men from disease, but accustom ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book i to pleasant songs.htm

Immeasurable Love
... Enmity to him, hatred to his truth, disregard of his law, rebellion against his
commandments; those were the thorns and briars which covered the waste land ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/immeasurable love.htm

Endurance of the World's Censure.
... SERMON X. Endurance of the World's Censure. "And thou, son of man, be not afraid
of them; neither be afraid of their words, though briars and thorns be with ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon x endurance of the.htm

The Well-Beloved's vineyard.
... Thorns and briars were all our growth naturally, but He bought us with a price,
He hedged us about, and set us apart for Himself, and then He planted and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the well-beloveds vineyard.htm

What Lasts, and what Passes Away.
... away.". Another scene. The Angel armed with the flaming sword drives our
parents forth, the earth brings forth thorns and briars. Man ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lxii what lasts and what.htm

The Life of Adam
... and wholesome fruits plenteously, from henceforth shall bring forth but seldom,
and also none without man's labor, and also sometime weeds, briars, and thorns ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the life of adam.htm

The Sluggard's Farm
... Many are stung by nettles, but few are taught by them. Some men are hurt
by briars, but here is one who was improved by them. Wisdom ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the sluggards farm.htm

Trust in God --True Wisdom
... He will soon cut his feet if he does not pick his steps. He will soon tear his
garments with thorns and briars if he does not choose his way. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/trust in godtrue wisdom.htm

Briars (11 Occurrences)
...Briars (11 Occurrences). Hebrews 6:8 but bringing forth thorns and briars, it is
found worthless and nigh to a curse, whose end is to be burned. (DBY). ...
/b/briars.htm - 9k

Bribe (27 Occurrences)

/b/bribe.htm - 15k

Joyous (10 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Isaiah 32:13 Thorns and briars will come up on my people's
land; yes, on all the houses of joy in the joyous city. ...
/j/joyous.htm - 9k

Weed (3 Occurrences)
... Job 31:40 let briars grow instead of wheat, and stinkweed instead of barley."
The words of Job are ended. (Root in WEB JPS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/w/weed.htm - 8k

Thistles (9 Occurrences)
... (See JPS DBY NAS). Isaiah 32:13 Upon the land of my people shall come up thistles
and briars, yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city. (DBY). ...
/t/thistles.htm - 9k

Briar (2 Occurrences)

/b/briar.htm - 7k

Cultivated (8 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 5:6 and I will make it a waste it shall not be pruned nor cultivated, but
there shall come up briars and thorns; and I will command the clouds that they ...
/c/cultivated.htm - 8k

Stinkweed (1 Occurrence)
... Stinkweed (1 Occurrence). Job 31:40 let briars grow instead of wheat, and stinkweed
instead of barley." The words of Job are ended. (WEB NAS). ...
/s/stinkweed.htm - 6k

Shadow (72 Occurrences)
... death," and the idea of "the valley of the shadow of death" was most probably derived
from the deep ravines, darkened by over-hanging briars, etc., through ...
/s/shadow.htm - 35k

Dwellest (27 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Ezekiel 2:6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, and be not afraid
of their words; for briars and thorns are with thee, and thou dwellest among ...
/d/dwellest.htm - 14k

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