Thistles and thorns are frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing various spiritual and physical realities. They are often associated with the consequences of sin, the curse upon the earth, and the challenges faced by humanity in a fallen world.

Biblical References and Symbolism

1. Genesis 3:17-18: The introduction of thorns and thistles occurs in the context of the Fall. After Adam and Eve's disobedience, God pronounces a curse upon the ground: "Cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field" . Here, thorns and thistles symbolize the hardship and toil that result from sin, representing the brokenness of creation.

2. Numbers 33:55: Thorns are used metaphorically to describe the consequences of failing to drive out the inhabitants of the Promised Land: "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" . This passage illustrates how disobedience to God's commands can lead to ongoing spiritual and physical challenges.

3. Proverbs 22:5: The book of Proverbs uses thorns to depict the path of the wicked: "Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them" . Thorns here symbolize the dangers and pitfalls that accompany a life of sin and rebellion against God.

4. Isaiah 55:13: In a prophetic vision of restoration, Isaiah contrasts thorns with the flourishing of creation: "Instead of the thornbush, a cypress will grow, and instead of the brier, a myrtle will spring up" . This imagery points to the hope of redemption and the ultimate renewal of creation through God's intervention.

5. Matthew 13:7, 22: In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus describes seed falling among thorns: "Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings" . He later explains, "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 represent the distractions and cares of the world that hinder spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

6. Hebrews 6:8: The author of Hebrews uses thorns to illustrate the fate of those who fall away from the faith: "But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and soon to be cursed. Its end is to be burned" . This serves as a warning against apostasy and the importance of perseverance in faith.

Theological Implications

Thistles and thorns serve as a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the fallen state of the world. They highlight the need for redemption and the hope of restoration through Jesus Christ. Throughout Scripture, these symbols call believers to remain vigilant against the spiritual dangers that can choke out faith and to look forward to the ultimate renewal of creation when Christ returns.Thistles and Thorns

Under these terms, together with brambles, briers, and nettles, are included numerous troublesome plants, many of them with thorns, well fitted to try the husbandman's patience, Genesis 3:18. Plants of this class were a symbol of desolation, Proverbs 24:31, and were often used as fuel, Psalm 58:9 Ecclesiastes 7:6 Isaiah 33:12. They also served for hedges, Hosea 2:6. A petty village on the plain of Jericho is now protected against Arab horsemen by a hedge of thorny Nubk branches.

Dr. Eli Smith, visiting the plain where Gideon once threatened to tear the flesh of the princes of Succoth with thorns and briers, noticed such plants there of remarkable size, some of the thistles rising above his head on horseback, Jud 8:7. Few of the Hebrew terms can now be affixed with certainty to particular varieties among the many found in Syria. The plant of which the thorny crown of the Savior was made, with the design to mock rather than to torture him, is supposed to have been the Zizyphus Spina Christi, a common tree with dark and glossy leaves, having many small and sharp spines on its round and pliant branches, Matthew 27:29 John 19:2-3. Paul's "thorn in the flesh," 2 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, may have been some bodily infirmity, unfavorable to the success of his public ministrations. Compare Galatians 4:13-14 2 1 Corinthians 10:10.

5621. sarab -- perhaps thorns
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition perhaps thorns NASB Word Usage thistles
(1). brier. From an unused root meaning to sting; a thistle -- brier. ...
/hebrew/5621.htm - 5k

2336. choach -- briar, bramble, hook, ring, fetter
... briar, bramble, hook, ring, fetter NASB Word Usage briars (1), hook (1), hooks
(1), thickets (1), thistles (1), thorn (1), thorn bush (4), thorns (2). ...
/hebrew/2336.htm - 6k

Of the Two Classes of Voluptuous Men, and of their Death, Falling ...
... shepherd, those, viz., that were rioting and luxuriating, but not leaping; and he
cast them into a precipitous place, full of thistles and thorns, so that it ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/similitude sixth of the two.htm

The Crown of Thorns.
... When Adam and Eve were driven from the garden into the bleak and toilsome world,
their doom was that the ground should bring forth to them thorns and thistles. ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter vii the crown of.htm

Letter ix. --Death of Self-Love.
... Let Him do this, give up to Him entirely the task of cultivating this rough ground,
which left to itself could bring forth nothing but thistles and thorns. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter ix death of self-love.htm

It is Related that when Pilate Would Fain have Released Him all ...
... from the curse, which it had received through the sin of the first man, when the
Lord said "Cursed be the earth in thy labours: thorns: and thistles shall it ...
/.../22 it is related that.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xiii. 52, "Therefore Every ...
... Do men gather grapes of thorns, and figs of thistles?" [2536] The Scribes and Pharisees
of the Jews therefore were thorns and thistles, and notwithstanding ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxiv on the words.htm

Preface.
... That, remember, cannot mean any alteration in the laws of nature by which man's
labour should only produce for him henceforth thorns and thistles. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/preface.htm

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Consolation in Suffering, and Patience ...
... Neither would the earth produce thistles nor thorns were it not cursed
for our sins. So it, with all creatures, longs for the day ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/fourth sunday after trinity consolation.htm

Whether the Particular Punishments of Our First Parents are ...
... Again it belongs to the nature of the earth "to bring forth thorns and thistles,"
and this would have occurred even had there been no sin. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the particular punishments of.htm

Looking unto Jesus
... on the cross of Christ, we live in a land where there are no thistles, but if we
will live on self, we shall have plenty of thistles and thorns, and briers ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/looking unto jesus.htm

Jesus is Arrested.
... when I saw the four archers inhumanly dragging Jesus over a narrow path, which was
choked up with stones, garments of rock, thistles, and thorns, on the ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter iii jesus is arrested.htm

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