Reference: THISTLES AND THORNS
American
Under these terms, together with brambles, briers, and nettles, are included numerous troublesome plants, many of them with thorns, well fitted to try the husbandman's patience, Ge 3:18. Plants of this class were a symbol of desolation, Pr 24:31, and were often used as fuel, Ps 58:9; Ec 7:6; Isa 33:12. They also served for hedges, Ho 2:6. A petty village on the plain of Jericho is now protected against Arab horsemen by a hedge of thorny Nubk branches. Dr. Eli Smith, visiting the plain where Gideon once threatened to tear the flesh of the princes of Succoth with thorns and briers, noticed such plants there of remarkable size, some of the thistles rising above his head on horseback, Jg 8:7. Few of the Hebrew terms can now be affixed with certainty to particular varieties among the many found in Syria. The plant of which the thorny crown of the Savior was made, with the design to mock rather than to torture him, is supposed to have been the Zizyphus Spina Christi, a common tree with dark and glossy leaves, having many small and sharp spines on its round and pliant branches, Mt 27:29; Joh 19:2-3. Paul's "thorn in the flesh," 2Co 12:7-10, may have been some bodily infirmity, unfavorable to the success of his public ministrations. Compare Ga 4:13-14; 2Co 10:10.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
It will produce thorns and thistles for you. You will eat the plants of the field.
Gideon said: When Jehovah delivers Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.
Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns, he will sweep away the green and the burning alike.
It was all grown over with thorns and nettles, and the wall of stone was broken down.
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
The peoples will be burned as if to lime. Like thorn bushes they will be set ablaze.
Behold, I (Jehovah) will fence her way with thorns. I will build a wall against her that she will not find her path.
They made a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They placed a rod in his right hand. Then they bowed down on their knees before him. They mocked him, saying: Long life to the King of the Jews.
The soldiers braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They dressed him in a purple garment. They came to him, and said: Hail, King of the Jews! They struck him with their hands.
I was given a painful physical ailment that will keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw. It acts as Satan's messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud. Three times I prayed to God about this and asked him to take it away. read more. He told me: My grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore, I would rather glory in my infirmities (frailities), that the power of Christ may rest upon me (cover me like a tent) (descend upon me) (abide with me). (Isaiah 40:29-31) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.
You know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the good news to you the first time. That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you did not despise or reject. You received me like an angel (messenger) of God, even like Christ Jesus.