thorn

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

[THISTLE

“Thorn in the Flesh” From Concise Bible Dictionary:

This was something that Satan was allowed to inflict on Paul, not because of any fault he had committed, but lest he should be puffed up on account of his having been caught up into the third heaven (2 Cor. 12:7-10⁷And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. ⁸For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. ⁹And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7‑10)). Apparently it was something that made him contemptible in the eyes of his fleshly opponents (see 2 Cor. 10:10¹⁰For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. (2 Corinthians 10:10); 2 Cor. 11:30³⁰If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. (2 Corinthians 11:30); Gal. 4:13-14¹³Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. ¹⁴And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. (Galatians 4:13‑14)).

“Thorns, Thistles” From Concise Bible Dictionary:

There are about a dozen different words translated “thorns,” and “thistles,” showing how, plentiful these results of the curse are in this sin-stained world. The different species cannot be identified with most of the Hebrew words. The thistle is used to signify a worthless person in the parable of Jehoash, king of Israel (2 Kings 14:9⁹And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle. (2 Kings 14:9)). Thorns are often mentioned as growing up in places given to desolation.

The Hebrew word atad, translated “thorns” in Psalm 58:9⁹Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath. (Psalm 58:9), and “bramble” in Judges 9:14-15¹⁴Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. ¹⁵And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon. (Judges 9:14‑15), has been identified with the Lycium Europaeum, this and the L. afrum are both found in Palestine. Its identification seems to be confirmed by the Arabs calling the plant atad, but it is also known by the name of ausej.

In the millennium, “instead of the thorn shall come up the myrtle tree” (Gen. 3:18¹⁸Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; (Genesis 3:18); Isa. 32:13¹³Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city: (Isaiah 32:13); Isa. 55:13¹³Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. (Isaiah 55:13)). See CROWN OF THORNS.

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Lycium Europaeum

Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:

Number:

5285 (find all occurrences in KJV Bible)

Transliteration:

na`atsuwts

Phonic:

nah-ats-oots’

Meaning:

from an unused root meaning to prick; probably a brier; by implication, a thicket of thorny bushes

KJV Usage:

thorn