thorn

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

[THISTLE

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)).

Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:

Number:
6975 (find all occurrences in KJV Bible)
Transliteration:
qowts
Phonic:
kotse
Meaning:
or qots {kotse}; from 6972 (in the sense of pricking); a thorn
KJV Usage:
thorn