from בָּרָק; a thorn (perhaps as burning brightly); brier.
Transliteration:barqân
Pronunciation:bar-kwan'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word בַּרְקָן (barqân, `{{H1303}}`) is derived from the root בָּרָק (bāraq, `{{H1300}}`), which signifies "lightning" or "flash." This etymological connection suggests that barqân may refer to a thorn or brier that is sharp, perhaps quick-growing, or one that could easily ignite or "flash" when dry. Its primary meaning is a "thorn" or "brier," specifically a thorny plant. Semantically, it denotes something that is prickly, obstructive, or undesirable, often associated with wild, uncultivated, or desolate land. The "burning brightly" aspect in its base definition hints at a potential for swift, perhaps painful, impact or destruction.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word בַּרְקָן (barqân, `{{H1303}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Judges:
* **[[Judges 8:7]]**: "Then Gideon said, 'Therefore, when the Lord has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will thresh your bodies with thorns of the wilderness and with briers.'"
In this passage, Gideon, having been refused sustenance by the men of Succoth, issues a severe threat. He vows to return after defeating the Midianite kings and punish the inhabitants of Succoth by "threshing" them with "thorns of the wilderness" (קוֹץ - qôts, `{{H6975}}`) and "briers" (בַּרְקָן - barqân, `{{H1303}}`). The imagery is one of extreme pain and humiliation, akin to a brutal beating. The use of these specific thorny plants underscores the harshness and severity of the promised chastisement. It is a metaphor for a painful and destructive form of discipline, highlighting the consequences of their unfaithfulness and lack of support for God's chosen leader in a time of national crisis. The "brier" here is not merely an annoying plant but a tool of painful, perhaps even flaying, punishment.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Hebrew words convey the idea of thorns, thistles, or briers, each with subtle nuances:
* **בָּרָק (bāraq, `{{H1300}}`)**: The root from which barqân is derived, meaning "lightning" or "flash." This connection implies a sharp, perhaps swift or destructive quality to the barqân.
* **קוֹץ (qôts, `{{H6975}}`)**: A common word for "thorn" or "thistle," often appearing in contexts of the cursed ground or difficulties in cultivation, and used in conjunction with barqân in [[Judges 8:7]].
* **חֶדֶק (ḥedeq, `{{H2312}}`)**: Another term for "thorn" or "brier," often found in prophetic warnings.
* **שָׁמִיר (šāmîr, `{{H8068}}`)**: Can refer to a "brier" or "thorn," but also "flint," suggesting a hard, sharp, and unyielding quality.
* **סִיר (sîr, `{{H5518}}`)**: Though primarily meaning "pot," it can also refer to "thorns," particularly those used for fuel, highlighting their dry, combustible nature.
Thematically, barqân is associated with:
* **Curse and Judgment**: Thorns are frequently symbolic of the curse on the ground after the Fall ([[Genesis 3:18]]) and the painful toil of human existence.
* **Hindrance and Obstacle**: Thorny plants impede progress, make cultivation difficult, and symbolize barriers to flourishing.
* **Pain and Suffering**: Their sharp, pricking nature is an obvious metaphor for physical and emotional pain.
* **Wilderness and Desolation**: Thorns characterize uncultivated, wild, or desolate land, contrasting with fertile, blessed ground.
### Theological Significance
Though appearing only once, the use of בַּרְקָן (barqân, `{{H1303}}`) in [[Judges 8:7]] carries significant theological weight. It serves as a powerful symbol of divine discipline and the painful consequences of disobedience and lack of faith. Gideon, acting as God's instrument, threatens a severe, humiliating punishment that reflects the seriousness of the Succothites' refusal to aid God's army. This highlights:
* **The Severity of Divine Judgment**: The "threshing" with barqân underscores that God's judgment, often executed through human agents, can be intensely painful and destructive, reflecting the gravity of rebellion against His purposes or His anointed.
* **Consequences of Unbelief/Disobedience**: The incident with Succoth illustrates that withholding support or acting in self-interest rather than God's will can lead to harsh repercussions. Barqân embodies the sharp, piercing reality of these consequences.
* **The Nature of a Cursed World**: While not directly linked to the Fall in its single occurrence, barqân fits within the broader biblical motif of thorns and thistles as symbols of the harshness and difficulty of life in a fallen world ([[Genesis 3:18]]). It represents the unproductive, painful aspects of existence that result from sin.
* **Contrast to Blessing**: The presence and use of barqân stand in stark opposition to the blessings of fertility, ease, and divine provision. It signifies barrenness, difficulty, and the opposite of flourishing.
### Summary
The Hebrew word בַּרְקָן (barqân, `{{H1303}}`) denotes a "thorn" or "brier," likely deriving from a root meaning "lightning" or "flash," possibly alluding to its sharp, quick-burning nature. Its singular biblical appearance in [[Judges 8:7]] is highly significant: Gideon threatens the men of Succoth with a severe, painful "threshing" using "thorns of the wilderness and with briers" for their refusal to provide aid. This usage establishes barqân as a potent symbol of harsh discipline and the painful consequences of rebellion or failure to support God's work. Theologically, barqân aligns with broader biblical themes where thorns represent the painful realities of a fallen world, divine judgment, and the sharp, often destructive, consequences of disobedience, standing in stark contrast to the fruitfulness and ease associated with divine blessing.
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