A thorny plant that grows in the wilderness and is often seen as useless and unattractive.
About Thistle
The Bible uses 22 different Hebrew and Greek words to describe spiny or prickly shrubs or weeds. These words are translated as "bramble," "brier," "cockle," "thorn," and "thistle." Today, about 125 species of thorns and thistles grow in the Holy Land.
The thornbush mentioned in the story of Judges 9:14–15 is likely the European boxthorn or desert-thorn (Lycium europaeum).
Key References
“Very well,” Gideon replied, “when the LORD has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with the thorns and briers of the wilderness!”
The nations rage like the rush of many waters. He rebukes them, and they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweeds before a gale.
For even if they flee destruction, Egypt will gather them and Memphis will bury them. Their precious silver will be taken over by thistles, and thorns will overrun their tents.
All Scripture References (23)
Genesis (1)
Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.
Judges (2)
“Very well,” Gideon replied, “when the LORD has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with the thorns and briers of the wilderness!”
Then he took the elders of the city, and using the thorns and briers of the wilderness, he disciplined the men of Succoth.
1 Samuel (1)
Seeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns.
2 Kings (1)
But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle.
2 Chronicles (1)
But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle.
Job (1)
then let briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” Thus conclude the words of Job.
Psalms (1)
As fire consumes a forest, as a flame sets the mountains ablaze,
Proverbs (1)
Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
Song of Solomon (1)
Like a lily among the thorns is my darling among the maidens.
Isaiah (2)
The nations rage like the rush of many waters. He rebukes them, and they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweeds before a gale.
Her towers will be overgrown with thorns, her fortresses with thistles and briers. She will become a haunt for jackals, an abode for ostriches.
Hosea (2)
For even if they flee destruction, Egypt will gather them and Memphis will bury them. Their precious silver will be taken over by thistles, and thorns will overrun their tents.
The high places of Aven will be destroyed—it is the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”
Matthew (3)
By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings.
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.
Mark (2)
Luke (3)
For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor grapes from brambles.
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the seedlings.
The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.
Hebrews (1)
But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.