סָרָב
a thistle
Definition
The Hebrew word סָרָב (çârâb) refers to a type of thorny, prickly plant, specifically a thistle or brier. It describes a wild, undesirable plant that grows in uncultivated or desolate areas, often symbolizing hardship, judgment, or inhospitable land. In its sole biblical occurrence in Ezekiel 2:6, it is used metaphorically to represent the rebellious and obstinate nature of the people of Israel, whom the prophet is sent to address. The term conveys the idea of something that is painful, resistant, and difficult to navigate, much like trying to walk through a thicket of thorns.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Ezekiel 2:6. Here, God warns the prophet Ezekiel not to be afraid of the Israelites, even though they are 'briers and thorns' (סָרָבִים) surrounding him, and their words are like scorpions. The context is Ezekiel's prophetic commission to a rebellious nation. The usage is entirely metaphorical, depicting the people's hostility and the prophet's challenging mission, rather than describing literal vegetation.
Etymology
Derived from an unused Hebrew root likely meaning 'to sting' or 'to prick,' which aptly describes the plant's sharp, painful characteristics. This root connection emphasizes the word's inherent sense of causing pain or irritation. Cognates in other Semitic languages also point to meanings related to thorns or thorny plants, confirming its association with harsh, unwelcoming flora.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, סָרָב carries significant theological weight in Ezekiel 2:6. It vividly illustrates the spiritual condition of rebellion against God. The metaphor teaches that sin makes people spiritually hostile and painful to engage with, posing a danger to God's messengers. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Ezekiel's call, highlighting the courage required to deliver God's word to a resistant audience and underscoring the theme of human obstinacy that only divine empowerment can overcome.
In ancient Near Eastern agriculture, thorns and briers (סָרָב) were well-known symbols of cursed or neglected land (cf. Genesis 3:18). They represented the opposite of fruitful, cultivated fields and were associated with hardship, wilderness, and divine judgment. For Ezekiel's audience, the metaphor would immediately evoke the idea of an unproductive, dangerous, and accursed environment, powerfully conveying their spiritual state.
קוֹץ (qôwts, H6975) — a general term for thorn or thornbush; often used literally for plants and metaphorically for troubles. סִלּוֹן (çillôwn, H7880) — a prickle or thorn; also used for obstacles or adversaries. שָׁמִיר (shâmîyr, H8068) — a sharp thorn or brier; frequently used in prophetic judgments for desolate land.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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