Thistles

The context of certain verses suggests that some biblical plants may have been thistles. They go especially under three names in Hebrew: barqan, dardar, and choach. However, other Hebrew words such as galgal, sirah and qots may have referred to thistles as well. The following may have been some of the thistles referred to in Scripture:

The Tumble ThistleGundelia tournefortii is a widespread thistle in the Middle East, and the young tender plants are eaten as a vegetable in early spring. However, as the plant matures, the leaves become dry and sharp. Further, the whole plant becomes round, and at a certain point the stem breaks and the plant becomes a “tumbleweed,” rolling and bouncing in the wind, at the same time scattering its seeds. The plant is called akub or ka’aub in Arabic. The place name “Akov” may come from this plant.

The Hebrew word galgal in PSA 83:14; ISA 17:13 could refer to the tumble thistle or the Prickly Saltwort Salsola kali (also called Russian thistle or tumbleweed; see Hammada (Salsola, Salicornia)). Like the tumble thistle, the prickly saltwort is round and breaks loose when it dries up, rolling and tumbling before a strong wind.

The Milk ThistleSilybum marianum is also called Mary’s thistle, holy thistle, or variegated thistle. It is found in southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. It can grow annually or biennially. It grows 1–2 meters (3–7 feet) in height and has large waxy, lobed leaves with sharp spines as in other thistles. Its flower heads, one per stalk, have tiny pink or purple florets bunched together to form the flower. A chemical (silymarin) extracted from the seeds of this thistle is believed to enhance liver function. It is used to treat liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, and gallbladder disorders. Related species of Silybum are found in North and South America.

The Syrian ThistleNotobasis syriaca is native to the Mediterranean region, from the Canary Islands across Morocco and eastward to Egypt, Iran, and Azerbaijan. It also grows on the Mediterranean coast of Europe. According to Zohary, this thistle could have been the barkan with which Gideon whipped the elders of the town of Succoth (JDG 8:7; JDG 8:16). The Syrian thistle is an annual plant growing to a meter (3 feet) tall. Its leaves are arranged spirally and are deeply lobed, gray-green with white veins with sharp spines on the edges and tip. Its flowers have purple petals surrounded by sharp spines.

The Golden ThistleScolymus maculatus is also called the common thistle or oyster thistle. It is an annual or perennial plant that grows to a meter (3 feet) tall. It has a bright yellow flower. As with other thistles, it has leaves with sharp spines on the edges.

The Iberian ThistleCentaurea iberica is also called the star thistle or Spanish thistle. Zohary suggests that the Hebrew word dardar could refer to this thistle, but it does not occur as a weed in the fields and does not fit the context of GEN 3:18. Hepper suggests instead the Slender Safflower Carthamus tenuis, Crete eryngo Eryngium creticum, Upright Rest Harrow Ononis antiquorum, or Field Prosopis Prosopis farcta. Other possible candidates are the tumble thistle, Globe Thistle Echinops adenocaulus, and Cotton Thistle Onopordum cynarocephalum.

Translators in French-speaking areas may know thistles as artichout sauvage (“wild artichoke”); in Portuguese they are called cardo leiteiro; in Spanish, cardo de Maria or cardo lechero. It is possible that thistles will be known to translators in some areas. If not, any obnoxious plant, particularly if it has thorns or prickles, will suffice.

Translators need to know that a phrase like “thorns and thistles” is a rhetorical device called a “doublet” intended to emphasize the thorniness of the scene described, for example the unpleasant outcome of Adam’s tragic choice in the garden of Eden (GEN 3:18) or the punishment of Samaria’s idol worshipers (HOS 10:8). Since these are rhetorical passages, translators should try to convey the intensity of the whole phrase. The identity of the Hebrew plants is not in focus. If well-known specific words for thorn plants are lacking, one can get the negative idea by a phrase such as “prickly and obnoxious plants” or “thorns of every kind.” Also, in the absence of prickly plants, any sort of plant considered destructive by farmers will do. Note the variety in English versions at GEN 3:18: NJB “brambles and thistles”; GNB “weeds and thorns.”