### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word τρίβολος (tríbolos, `{{G5146}}`) is a compound word derived from τρεῖς (treis, "three") and βέλος (belos, "dart," "missile," or "point"). Its original and literal meaning refers to a "three-pronged" object. Historically, this term designated a "crow-foot" or "caltrop," a military device with sharp spikes arranged so that one point always faced upwards, designed to impede cavalry or infantry. By extension and analogy, the term came to describe a "thorny plant" or "weed" characterized by its sharp, prickly nature, such as a brier or thistle. This semantic shift highlights the common characteristic of being an impediment, something that pricks, harms, or makes passage difficult. Thus, τρίβολος carries the core meaning of a sharp, obstructive, and undesirable growth.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word τρίβολος (tríbolos, `{{G5146}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in a highly significant passage in the Epistle to the Hebrews:
* **[[Hebrews 6:7-8]]**: "For the land which drinks the rain that often falls on it and produces a crop suitable for those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles (ἀκάνθας καὶ τριβόλους), it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned."
In this agricultural analogy, the author of Hebrews uses the imagery of land to represent individuals who have received the benefits of divine revelation and grace (symbolized by the "rain"). The presence of "thorns and thistles" (ἀκάνθας καὶ τριβόλους) signifies a state of spiritual unfruitfulness, barrenness, or even apostasy despite having experienced God's goodness. These undesirable growths stand in stark contrast to the "crop suitable" for cultivation, representing genuine spiritual fruit. The production of τρίβολος in this context indicates a failure to respond to divine grace with genuine repentance and faith, leading to a severe warning of worthlessness, a curse, and ultimate judgment ("to be burned"). The pairing with ἀκάνθας (akanthas, `{{G173}}`) emphasizes a category of harmful, unproductive vegetation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of thorny, unproductive vegetation is deeply rooted in biblical thought, often symbolizing the consequences of sin, the fallen state of creation, or spiritual barrenness.
* **Hebrew Equivalents:** The Old Testament frequently uses terms like קוֹץ (qôts, `{{H6975}}`, "thorn," "brier") and דַּרְדַּר (dardar, `{{H1863}}`, "thistle") to describe such plants. Notably, these terms appear together in the curse upon the ground in [[Genesis 3:18]], which states, "Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you." This foundational text establishes a strong link between sin and the production of τρίβολος-like vegetation.
* **Greek Equivalents:** In the New Testament, ἀκάνθα (akantha, `{{G173}}`) is the most common word for "thorn" or "thistle," appearing in various contexts, including the Parable of the Sower ([[Matthew 13:7]], [[Matthew 13:22]]; [[Mark 4:7]], [[Mark 4:18]]; [[Luke 8:7]], [[Luke 8:14]]), where thorns represent worldly anxieties and the deceitfulness of wealth that choke the word of God. The pairing of ἀκάνθας καὶ τριβόλους in [[Hebrews 6:8]] suggests a comprehensive description of undesirable, harmful growths.
* **Concepts:** τρίβολος is intrinsically linked to concepts of:
* Spiritual unfruitfulness and barrenness.
* The consequences of the Fall and the curse on creation ([[Genesis 3:18]]).
* Obstacles to spiritual growth and the choking of the Word.
* The danger of apostasy and the failure to persevere in faith.
* Divine judgment for unrepentance or rejection of grace.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of τρίβολος in [[Hebrews 6:8]] imbues it with profound theological significance, primarily serving as a stark warning and a symbol of spiritual decline.
1. **Warning Against Apostasy:** In the context of Hebrews 6, τρίβολος represents the outcome of those who have experienced the blessings of God (enlightenment, tasting the heavenly gift, partaking of the Holy Spirit) but fail to produce the fruit of righteousness. Instead, they yield "thorns and thistles," signifying a turning away from the truth, a hardening of heart, or a complete rejection of Christ. This imagery underscores the severe consequences of such spiritual barrenness, culminating in divine judgment.
2. **Echoes of the Adamic Curse:** The use of "thorns and thistles" directly recalls the curse pronounced upon the ground in [[Genesis 3:18]] after Adam's sin. This connection is vital: τρίβολος thus symbolizes the fallen state of creation and, by extension, the spiritual barrenness that results from unfaithfulness and rebellion against God. It highlights that just as the physical world was cursed to produce thorns, so too can the spiritual life of an individual become unproductive and harmful if it deviates from God's design.
3. **Contrast with Fruitfulness:** The passage in Hebrews 6 contrasts the land that produces a "suitable crop" with that which yields τρίβολος. This emphasizes the divine expectation for believers to bear spiritual fruit (e.g., the fruit of the Spirit, good works, a life of obedience) as evidence of genuine faith and a living relationship with God. The presence of τρίβολος signifies the absence of such fruit and a state contrary to God's purpose for His people.
4. **Implication of Judgment:** The ultimate destiny of the land yielding τρίβολος is to be "burned." This imagery points to the eschatological judgment that awaits those who, despite having received grace, remain spiritually unfruitful and hardened. It serves as a solemn reminder of the seriousness of one's response to God's call and the necessity of perseverance in faith.
### Summary
The Greek word τρίβολος (tríbolos, `{{G5146}}`) signifies a thorny, prickly plant, deriving its meaning from an original reference to a three-pronged military impediment. Its sole New Testament appearance in [[Hebrews 6:8]], paired with ἀκάνθας (akanthas, `{{G173}}`), carries profound theological weight. In this context, τρίβολος symbolizes spiritual unfruitfulness, barrenness, and the production of harmful elements in the lives of those who have received divine grace but fail to respond with genuine faith and obedience. It powerfully echoes the curse upon the ground in [[Genesis 3:18]], representing the negative consequences of sin and serving as a stark warning against apostasy. The imagery of τρίβολος highlights the critical distinction between productive, Spirit-led living and a fruitless, spiritually barren existence that ultimately faces divine judgment, underscoring the urgency of a faithful and fruitful response to God's gracious provision.
TRV