from an unused root meaning to sting; a thistle; brier.
Transliteration:çârâb
Pronunciation:saw-rawb'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H5621}}` (סָרָב, *çârâb*) is derived from an unused root that conveys the idea of "to sting." This etymological root is crucial for understanding its core meaning. As a noun, `{{H5621}}` refers to a "thistle" or "brier"—a plant characterized by its sharp, piercing, and often painful thorns. The semantic range thus encompasses not merely the physical plant but also the discomfort, irritation, and injury it can inflict. It denotes something that is troublesome, causes pain, or acts as a persistent annoyance, much like a stinging insect or a sharp thorn.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H5621}}` (סָרָב, *çârâb*) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Ezekiel:
* **[[Ezekiel 28:24]]**: "And there shall be no more a pricking brier for the house of Israel, nor a galling thorn from all who are around them, who have treated them with contempt, and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD."
In this sole occurrence, `{{H5621}}` is used metaphorically to describe the hostile nations surrounding Israel. The phrase "pricking brier" (סָרָב מַמְאִיר, *çârâb mam'ir*) is paralleled with "galling thorn" (קוֹץ מַכְאִב, *qôṣ mak'îb*). The accompanying adjectives, *mam'ir* (causing pain, festering) and *mak'îb* (causing pain, hurting), intensify the sense of persistent affliction and irritation. The context is a divine promise of future peace and security for the house of Israel, implying that these troublesome neighbors, who have continually treated them with contempt, will no longer be a source of pain or hindrance. This passage underscores the constant vexation and harm inflicted upon God's people by external enemies, portraying them as painful, invasive, and unwanted elements.
### Related Words & Concepts
`{{H5621}}` (סָרָב, *çârâb*) is conceptually linked to other Hebrew words denoting thorny or prickly plants, which often carry connotations of desolation, curse, or difficulty:
* `{{H6975}}` (קוֹץ, *qôṣ*): "thorn," "brier," frequently paired with `{{H5621}}` in [[Ezekiel 28:24]].
* `{{H7898}}` (שָׁמִיר, *šāmîr*): "brier," "thorn," often used in contexts of judgment and desolation (e.g., [[Isaiah 5:6]]).
* `{{H2469}}` (חוֹחַ, *ḥôaḥ*): "thorn," "thistle," notably appearing in the curse upon the ground in [[Genesis 3:18]].
* `{{H5287}}` (נַעֲצוּץ, *na'aṣûṣ*): "thorn," "brier," typically found in descriptions of wilderness or barrenness (e.g., [[Isaiah 7:19]]).
The concept of "stinging" or "pricking" aligns with the suffering caused by adversaries or the consequences of sin. These related terms collectively paint a picture of obstacles, pain, and the difficult realities of a fallen world.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of `{{H5621}}` (סָרָב, *çârâb*) in [[Ezekiel 28:24]] carries profound theological weight. It represents the persistent, painful, and contemptuous opposition faced by God's covenant people from surrounding nations. These "pricking briers" symbolize the constant irritation, affliction, and hindrance to Israel's well-being and security.
The divine promise of their removal signifies God's commitment to His people's restoration and peace. It speaks to the Lord's sovereign power to intervene and eliminate sources of pain and oppression. This promise points towards a future state of security and unhindered worship, where "they shall know that I am the Lord GOD."
Metaphorically, `{{H5621}}` can also represent the spiritual "thorns" or "briers" that afflict believers—sin, temptation, worldly opposition, or internal struggles that cause distress and hinder spiritual growth. The ultimate hope, rooted in God's redemptive plan, is the complete eradication of all such "stinging" elements, culminating in a perfected kingdom where peace and righteousness reign supreme, and all sources of pain and opposition are finally removed. It underscores God's protective nature and His ultimate desire for the flourishing of His people.
### Summary
`{{H5621}}` (סָרָב, *çârâb*) is a rare but potent Hebrew term, deriving from a root meaning "to sting," and denoting a "thistle" or "brier." Its sole biblical appearance in [[Ezekiel 28:24]] metaphorically describes the "pricking briers" and "galling thorns" represented by Israel's hostile neighbors, who have been a constant source of pain and contempt. This word is closely associated with other Hebrew terms for thorny plants, such as `{{H6975}}` (קוֹץ, *qôṣ*), and evokes broader concepts of affliction, desolation, and the consequences of a fallen world. Theologically, `{{H5621}}` symbolizes the persistent external opposition and suffering endured by God's people. Its promised removal signifies divine intervention, the establishment of lasting peace, and God's unwavering commitment to protect and secure His covenant people, ultimately pointing to an eschatological hope where all sources of pain and opposition are finally eradicated.
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