from an unused root apparently meaning to pierce; a thorn; by analogy, a ring forthe nose; bramble, thistle, thorn.
Transliteration:chôwach
Pronunciation:kho'-akh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word חוֹחַ (chôwach, `{{H2336}}`) derives from an unused root that conveys the sense of "to pierce." This foundational meaning undergirds its primary semantic range, which centers on thorny plants. It is most frequently translated as "thorn," "bramble," or "thistle," referring to the various prickly, often invasive, plants that characterize untended or cursed land. The base definition also includes an analogical meaning, "a ring for the nose," presumably because such an item *pierces* the flesh. However, it is crucial to note that the biblical occurrences of חוֹחַ (chôwach) exclusively employ the meaning related to thorny vegetation, never the "nose ring" analogy. Thus, its practical biblical semantic range is confined to the botanical realm, emphasizing the piercing, obstructive, and unproductive nature of such flora.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term חוֹחַ (chôwach, `{{H2336}}`) appears several times in the Old Testament, consistently referring to thorny plants and carrying significant symbolic weight.
* **As a feature of difficult terrain or hiding places:** In [[1 Samuel 13:6]], the Israelites hide "in thickets" (חוֹחַ) from the Philistines, indicating a landscape that provides cover but is also rugged and perhaps inhospitable.
* **As a sign of desolation and judgment:** This is the most prevalent usage.
* In [[2 Kings 19:29]] (parallel to [[Isaiah 37:30]]), the prophet Isaiah speaks of a time when the land will be so desolate that people will eat what grows "of itself," and in the second year, what springs from the same, implying a lack of cultivation due to war and divine judgment. While not explicitly stated as thorns, the context of desolation aligns with their proliferation.
* In [[Job 31:40]], Job, in his oath of innocence, declares, "Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley," invoking a curse of agricultural barrenness and unproductive land as a consequence of unrighteousness. Here, חוֹחַ (chôwach) directly contrasts with staple crops.
* The prophet Isaiah frequently uses חוֹחַ (chôwach) in conjunction with other words for briers and thorns (e.g., `{{H8068}}` שָׁמִיר, šāmîr) to depict the desolation of the land of Israel due to God's judgment:
* In [[Isaiah 5:6]], God threatens to lay waste to His vineyard (Israel), allowing "briers and thorns" (שָׁמִיר וָחוֹחַ) to grow, symbolizing a return to wildness and a withdrawal of divine blessing.
* [[Isaiah 7:23]], [[Isaiah 7:24]], and [[Isaiah 7:25]] describe a future where fertile land, once valuable vineyards, will become overgrown with "briers and thorns" (שָׁמִיר וָחוֹחַ), signifying utter desolation and the inability to cultivate.
* [[Isaiah 32:13]] laments that "thorns and briers" (קוֹץ וָשָׁמִיר) will come up on the land of God's people, and even in the "houses of joy," indicating widespread ruin. While the specific word here is not חוֹחַ (chôwach), the concept is identical, reinforcing the semantic field.
* [[Hosea 9:6]] prophesies that "nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles," depicting the utter ruin and abandonment of Israelite dwellings, where useful plants are replaced by thorny weeds.
* **As an illustration of folly:** [[Proverbs 26:9]] states, "As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools." Here, חוֹחַ (chôwach) illustrates something out of place and potentially harmful when mishandled, highlighting the misuse of wisdom by those lacking discernment.
Across these contexts, חוֹחַ (chôwach) consistently represents unproductive, harmful, or undesirable vegetation, often serving as a potent symbol of divine judgment, desolation, and the consequences of sin.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of "thorny plants" in Hebrew is rich, with several words often used interchangeably or in parallel with חוֹחַ (chôwach) to emphasize the idea of barrenness, difficulty, and judgment.
* **`{{H6975}}` קוֹץ (qôṣ):** A general term for "thorn" or "thistle," notably appearing in the curse of the ground in [[Genesis 3:18]].
* **`{{H8068}}` שָׁמִיר (šāmîr):** Often translated "brier" or "thorn," frequently paired with חוֹחַ (chôwach), as seen in Isaiah's prophecies of desolation ([[Isaiah 5:6]], [[Isaiah 7:23]], [[Isaiah 7:24]], [[Isaiah 7:25]]).
* **`{{H5287}}` נַעֲצוּל (naʿaṣûl):** Another term for "thorn" or "thistle," found in contexts of desolation ([[Isaiah 7:19]]).
* **`{{H6791}}` צִנִּים (ṣinnîm):** "Thorns" or "prickles," often denoting irritants or obstacles ([[Numbers 33:55]]).
* **`{{H1203}}` בָּאְשָׁה (ba'ash):** "Foul weeds" or "noisome weeds," used in parallel with חוֹחַ (chôwach) in [[Job 31:40]] to denote worthless vegetation.
The concepts associated with these words and חוֹחַ (chôwach) include:
* **Desolation and Ruin:** Land reverting to a wild, untended state.
* **Divine Judgment:** The consequence of sin and disobedience, often manifesting as agricultural failure and environmental degradation.
* **Futility and Unproductiveness:** Contrasting with fruitful crops, thorns represent wasted effort and lack of beneficial yield.
* **Obstacles and Hardship:** The physical nature of thorns makes them difficult to navigate or remove, symbolizing life's trials.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חוֹחַ (chôwach) is profound, deeply rooted in the biblical narrative of creation, fall, and redemption.
1. **The Curse of the Fall:** The most foundational theological link for "thorns" in general, and by extension חוֹחַ (chôwach), is the curse pronounced upon the ground after Adam's sin in [[Genesis 3:18]]: "Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee." This verse establishes thorns as a tangible symbol of humanity's fallen state, the arduousness of labor, and the brokenness of creation. Their presence signifies a world no longer in perfect harmony with its Creator.
2. **Symbol of Judgment and Desolation:** Throughout the prophetic literature, the proliferation of חוֹחַ (chôwach) on the land serves as a powerful visual metaphor for divine judgment. When God's people turn away from Him, their land, once blessed and fruitful, becomes overgrown with thorns, signifying abandonment, desolation, and the withdrawal of divine favor ([[Isaiah 5:6]], [[Isaiah 7:23-25]], [[Hosea 9:6]]). It illustrates the principle that disobedience leads to barrenness, both physical and spiritual.
3. **Spiritual Barrenness and Hardness of Heart:** While not explicitly stated for חוֹחַ (chôwach), the broader biblical motif of thorns can represent a heart that is unreceptive to God's word, producing only harmful or unfruitful things (cf. the parable of the sower, where thorns choke the seed, [[Matthew 13:7]], [[Matthew 13:22]]). The proverb in [[Proverbs 26:9]] hints at this, where the misuse of wisdom by a fool is as out of place and potentially harmful as a thorn in a drunkard's hand.
4. **The Need for Redemption:** The prevalence of thorns in a fallen world points to the ongoing need for God's redemptive work. The ultimate triumph over the curse of thorns is realized in Christ, who not only bore a crown of thorns (a poignant symbol of the curse He took upon Himself) but also offers a new creation where the curse is reversed and the land yields fruit, not thorns ([[Revelation 22:3]]).
### Summary
The Hebrew word חוֹחַ (chôwach, `{{H2336}}`), rooted in the concept of "piercing," primarily denotes "thorn," "bramble," or "thistle." While its base definition includes an analogous "nose ring," biblical usage is exclusively confined to thorny vegetation. Across its occurrences in the Old Testament, חוֹחַ (chôwach) consistently functions as a potent symbol of desolation, agricultural barrenness, and divine judgment. It frequently appears alongside other terms for prickly plants (e.g., `{{H8068}}` שָׁמִיר) to emphasize the ruin of land and the withdrawal of God's blessing due to human sin. Theologically, חוֹחַ (chôwach) serves as a vivid reminder of the curse introduced by the Fall ([[Genesis 3:18]]) and the consequences of disobedience, pointing to the pervasive effects of sin on both creation and human experience, and implicitly highlighting the need for ultimate redemption.
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