or קֹץ; from קוּץ (in the sense of pricking); a thorn; thorn.
Transliteration:qôwts
Pronunciation:kotse
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word קוֹץ (qôwts), Strong's `{{H6975}}`, refers primarily to a "thorn" or "thorn bush." Its etymological root is linked to קוּץ (qûwts), which carries the sense of "pricking" or "being disgusted/loathed." In the context of קוֹץ, the "pricking" aspect is dominant, highlighting the sharp, piercing nature of a thorn. Semantically, it denotes any sharp, pointed outgrowth on a plant, capable of causing pain or obstruction. While its core meaning is concrete, the biblical usage often extends to metaphorical applications, symbolizing difficulty, judgment, or the nature of the wicked.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term קוֹץ (qôwts) appears several times in the Old Testament, consistently referring to thorns or thorny plants, often with significant symbolic weight.
* **[[Genesis 3:18]]**: In the divine curse pronounced upon the ground after the Fall, God declares, "thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you." Here, קוֹץ (qôwts) signifies the painful and laborious consequence of sin, making human toil arduous and frustrating. It represents a hostile element in the natural world, a direct result of the disruption of divine order.
* **[[Exodus 22:6]]**: This verse deals with legal stipulations regarding fire spreading to a field and consuming "thorns." The context is agricultural, where thorns are a common part of the landscape, either wild or as part of a hedge. This demonstrates the practical reality of living in an agrarian society where thorns were a nuisance and a potential hazard.
* **[[Judges 8:7]], [[Judges 8:16]]**: Gideon threatens the men of Succoth and Penuel with "thorns of the wilderness and briers." Here, קוֹץ (qôwts) is used in conjunction with בַּרְקָנִים (barqanim, `{{H1263}}`, briers/thistles), symbolizing a harsh, painful, and punitive discipline. The imagery evokes a violent, tearing punishment, reflecting the severity of their refusal to aid Gideon.
* **[[2 Samuel 23:6]]**: Speaking of the "worthless men," David declares they are "like thorns cast away, all of them." Here, קוֹץ (qôwts) metaphorically describes wicked individuals as useless, dangerous, and fit only for destruction by fire, emphasizing their harmful nature and ultimate fate.
* **[[Psalm 118:12]]**: The psalmist describes being surrounded by enemies "like thorns," which are then "consumed like fire." The image conveys the overwhelming but ultimately transient nature of opposition. Thorns, though numerous and sharp, are easily destroyed by fire, signifying the Lord's swift deliverance from foes.
* **[[Isaiah 32:13]]**: The prophet laments the desolation of the land where "thorns and briers shall come up." This depicts a state of neglect and judgment, where productive land becomes overgrown with useless and harmful vegetation, symbolizing spiritual barrenness and divine displeasure.
* **[[Hosea 2:6]]**: God declares, "Therefore I will hedge up her way with thorns." This is a powerful metaphor for divine discipline. The thorns represent obstacles and difficulties placed in Israel's path to prevent her from straying further and to compel her return to the Lord. It signifies a painful but ultimately redemptive intervention.
Across these contexts, קוֹץ consistently denotes something sharp, painful, obstructive, or useless, often associated with judgment, difficulty, or a wild, untamed state.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Hebrew words share semantic overlap with קוֹץ (qôwts), highlighting various aspects of thorny vegetation or related concepts:
* **חֶדֶק (ḥedeq, `{{H2312}}`)**: Often translated as "brier" or "thorn," sometimes specifically a "prickly shrub." Found in [[Micah 7:4]].
* **שָׁמִיר (shāmîr, `{{H8068}}`)**: "Brier" or "thorn," often used in parallel with קוֹץ, particularly in Isaiah (e.g., [[Isaiah 5:6]], [[Isaiah 7:23-25]]). It can also refer to a hard stone or diamond, implying sharpness or impenetrability.
* **בַּרְקָנִים (barqanim, `{{H1263}}`)**: "Briers" or "thistles," used alongside קוֹץ in [[Judges 8:7]] and [[Judges 8:16]], emphasizing their painful and tearing nature.
* **דַּרְדַּר (dardar, `{{H1863}}`)**: "Thistle," found in [[Genesis 3:18]] alongside קוֹץ, specifying another type of prickly plant.
* **סִרָה (sîrāh, `{{H5518}}`)**: "Thorns" or "thistles," as in [[Ecclesiastes 7:6]], where the crackling of thorns under a pot is used as an illustration of folly.
* **צִנִּים (tsinnîm, `{{H6791}}`)**: "Thorns" or "pricks," often used to describe instruments of torment or difficulty, as in [[Numbers 33:55]] or [[Ezekiel 28:24]].
The concept of "thorns" is also related to the broader theme of *wilderness* or *desolation*, as thorns often signify unproductive or cursed land. Furthermore, the idea of *obstruction* or *hindrance* is inherent, as thorns impede progress or make life difficult. Metaphorically, they represent *worthlessness*, *wickedness*, and *divine judgment*.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of קוֹץ (qôwts) is profound, particularly in its symbolic representation of the consequences of sin and the nature of divine discipline.
1. **The Curse of Sin**: The most foundational appearance of קוֹץ is in [[Genesis 3:18]], where thorns and thistles are a direct result of the Fall. They symbolize the painful toil, futility, and brokenness introduced into creation due to humanity's rebellion against God. This imagery underscores the pervasive nature of sin's effects, extending even to the physical environment.
2. **Divine Judgment and Desolation**: Thorns frequently appear in prophetic literature (e.g., [[Isaiah 32:13]]) as a sign of judgment and desolation upon unfaithful lands or peoples. Their growth signifies neglect, abandonment, and the reversal of God's blessing, where productive land becomes barren and hostile.
3. **Divine Discipline and Protection**: Paradoxically, thorns can also be instruments of God's redemptive discipline. In [[Hosea 2:6]], God uses thorns to "hedge up" Israel's way, preventing her from pursuing idolatry and forcing her to return to Him. Here, the pain and obstruction serve a corrective purpose, demonstrating God's persistent love and desire for reconciliation. This highlights a nuanced aspect of divine sovereignty, where even hardship can be a means to salvation.
4. **The Nature of the Wicked**: Metaphorically, קוֹץ describes the wicked as dangerous, useless, and destined for destruction (e.g., [[2 Samuel 23:6]], [[Psalm 118:12]]). Like thorns, they cause pain and serve no good purpose, ultimately to be consumed by divine wrath. This imagery reinforces the biblical understanding of justice and the ultimate triumph of righteousness.
5. **Human Frailty and Opposition**: The presence of thorns points to the challenges and difficulties inherent in the human condition, whether from external enemies or internal struggles. They represent the obstacles and adversaries that one must contend with.
Overall, קוֹץ serves as a powerful symbol of the fallen world, the consequences of sin, the nature of divine judgment, and the sometimes painful but always purposeful path of God's discipline.
### Summary
The Hebrew word קוֹץ (qôwts), Strong's `{{H6975}}`, primarily denotes a "thorn" or "thorn bush," deriving its meaning from the root sense of "pricking." Biblically, it appears in diverse contexts, ranging from the literal presence of thorns in agricultural settings to profound metaphorical applications. Its most significant occurrence is in [[Genesis 3:18]], where it symbolizes the curse of sin and the resulting toil and frustration in a fallen world. Throughout the Old Testament, קוֹץ is consistently associated with pain, obstruction, worthlessness, and danger. It serves as a vivid symbol of divine judgment and desolation when land becomes overgrown, reflecting spiritual barrenness. Yet, in passages like [[Hosea 2:6]], thorns also represent God's disciplinary hand, used to "hedge up" a wayward people and guide them back to faithfulness. Related terms like `{{H2312}}` (ḥedeq), `{{H8068}}` (shāmîr), and `{{H1263}}` (barqanim) reinforce the pervasive biblical imagery of thorny vegetation. Theologically, קוֹץ encapsulates the painful consequences of humanity's rebellion, the nature of divine justice, and the sometimes harsh but ultimately redemptive path of God's loving discipline. It underscores the reality of a world impacted by sin, yet still under the sovereign hand of a purposeful God.
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