Thorn
Summary
A general term for various thorny and prickly plants that are abundantly mentioned throughout Scripture, often symbolizing the curse on creation due to sin.
☩Biblical Terminology
At least twenty-two different Hebrew and Greek words are translated as 'thorn,' 'thistle,' or 'brier' in the Bible. The difficulty in identifying specific plants arises not from a lack of thorny species in Palestine—which produces nearly 50 genera and 200 species of thorny plants—but from the general nature of the Hebrew terms. The most common Greek word akantha is used broadly for any thorny or prickly plant.
☩The Curse and Redemption
Thorns first appear in Scripture as part of God's curse upon the ground following the Fall: 'Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee.' In botanical terms, thorns are undeveloped branches—a specimen of the arrest the fall put on creation's development. When Christ wore a crown of thorns, He bore this symbol of the curse, becoming 'a curse for us.' The future restoration is symbolized by their removal: 'Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree.'
☩The Crown of Thorns
The plant used for Christ's crown has been identified as possibly Zizyphus Spina Christi (the nebk or Christ's thorn), which has many small sharp spines on soft, pliant branches suitable for plaiting. Its leaves resemble ivy, perhaps mocking the garlands worn by emperors. Other suggestions include Paliurus aculeatus or Lycium horridum. The nebk grows abundantly throughout Palestine, fringing the Jordan and flourishing around the Sea of Galilee.
☩Figurative Uses
Thorns appear frequently in Scripture as symbols. The 'thorn in the flesh' given to Paul represented some recurring affliction. Thorns choke the word in the parable of the sower, representing worldly cares that prevent spiritual growth. Wicked people are compared to thorns that prick all who contact them. Thorns were used for fuel, their quick burning illustrating the transient nature of the wicked.
☩Practical Uses
Thorns had practical applications in ancient Palestine. They formed hedges around vineyards and fields. They were burned for fuel, particularly in lime kilns, being cut up specifically for this purpose rather than burned where they grew. The 'crackling of thorns under a pot' became proverbial for the brief, noisy merriment of fools.
Related Verses54 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Thorn," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Thorn in the Flesh," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Thorn," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Thorns," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).