from the same as קִמּוֹשׁ; a prickly plant; thorn.
Transliteration:qimmâshôwn
Pronunciation:kim-maw-shone'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma קִמָּשׁוֹן (qimmâshôwn, `{{H7063}}`) denotes a "prickly plant" or "thorn." It is derived from a root associated with sharp, stinging, or invasive vegetation, closely related to קִמּוֹשׁ (qimmôsh, `{{H7062}}`), also translated as "nettle" or "thistle." The semantic range of qimmâshôwn thus encompasses undesirable, wild, and often painful flora that signifies neglect, desolation, or an untamed environment. It conveys a sense of wildness encroaching upon what was once cultivated or ordered, representing decay and ruin.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term קִמָּשׁוֹן (qimmâshôwn, `{{H7063}}`) appears in two prophetic contexts within the Old Testament, each underscoring its association with divine judgment and desolation:
* **[[Isaiah 34:13]]**: "Thorns (קִמָּשׁוֹן) shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in her fortresses; it shall be a habitation of jackals, a court for ostriches." This verse describes the utter destruction and desolation prophesied against Edom. The proliferation of qimmâshôwn in what were once palaces and fortresses vividly portrays the abandonment and ruin of a once-proud nation. The wild, prickly plants symbolize the complete reversal of order and the triumph of wilderness over human habitation, a direct consequence of divine wrath.
* **[[Hosea 9:6]]**: "For behold, they have fled from destruction; Egypt will gather them, Memphis will bury them. Nettles (קִמָּשׁוֹן) will possess their precious things; thistles will be in their tents." Here, the context is Israel's impending exile and the desolation of their land due to their idolatry and unfaithfulness. The qimmâshôwn taking possession of "precious things" and "tents" signifies the loss of cherished possessions and homes, overtaken by symbols of decay and abandonment. It illustrates the tragic outcome of forsaking the covenant, where what was once valued becomes ruined and uninhabitable.
In both instances, qimmâshôwn serves as a potent symbol of divine judgment, signifying the complete desolation of a land or habitation, a stark visual representation of ruin and the withdrawal of blessing.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of קִמָּשׁוֹן (qimmâshôwn, `{{H7063}}`) is reinforced by its etymological connection and conceptual parallels with other Hebrew terms for undesirable vegetation:
* **קִמּוֹשׁ (qimmôsh, `{{H7062}}`)**: The base word from which qimmâshôwn is derived, also meaning "nettle" or "thistle." This direct linguistic link confirms the core meaning of a stinging or prickly plant.
* **קוֹץ (qôts, `{{H6978}}`)**: A general term for "thorns" or "thistles," most famously appearing in [[Genesis 3:18]] as part of the curse on the ground after the Fall. This broad category of vegetation represents toil, struggle, and the adverse effects of sin on creation.
* **חֶדֶק (ḥedeq, `{{H2312}}`)**: Meaning "brier" or "prickly plant."
* **שָׁמִיר (shāmîr, `{{H8068}}`)**: Often translated as "briers" or "thorns," frequently used to describe desolate or uncultivated land.
* **סִיר (sîr, `{{H5518}}`)**: Referring to "thorns" or "thistles," sometimes used metaphorically for the wicked or the fleeting nature of joy.
The common thread among these terms, including qimmâshôwn, is their association with wildness, barrenness, difficulty, and often, divine judgment. They stand in stark contrast to fruitful, cultivated land, symbolizing a reversal of order and a return to a state of wilderness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of קִמָּשׁוֹן (qimmâshôwn, `{{H7063}}`) is profound, primarily serving as a potent symbol of divine judgment and the consequences of sin:
* **Manifestation of Divine Judgment:** The presence of qimmâshôwn in places of former glory (palaces, precious things, tents) is a visible sign of God's active judgment. It indicates that divine favor has been withdrawn, leading to the decay and ruin of what was once cherished or powerful. It is a tangible expression of the curse.
* **Consequence of Disobedience:** Like the thorns and thistles of [[Genesis 3:18]], qimmâshôwn embodies the natural and spiritual consequences of human sin and rebellion against God's covenant. It illustrates the disorder, pain, and desolation that invade human life and environment when the divine order is violated.
* **Symbol of Desolation and Abandonment:** The overgrowth of qimmâshôwn signifies not merely physical neglect, but a deeper spiritual abandonment. It portrays a return to chaos, a state antithetical to God's original design for a cultivated and blessed world. It underscores the transience of earthly power and possessions when not rooted in righteousness.
* **Warning and Reproach:** In prophetic literature, the imagery of qimmâshôwn serves as a severe warning to those who persist in sin, illustrating the inevitable outcome of their choices. It acts as a divine reproach, calling for repentance before complete desolation takes hold.
### Summary
The Hebrew word קִמָּשׁוֹן (qimmâshôwn, `{{H7063}}`), meaning "prickly plant" or "thorn," functions as a powerful symbol within the biblical narrative. Though appearing in only two verses—[[Isaiah 34:13]] and [[Hosea 9:6]]—its impact is significant. In both contexts, qimmâshôwn is inextricably linked to divine judgment, signifying the utter desolation and ruin that befall nations and their possessions as a consequence of sin and disobedience. The imagery of these invasive, undesirable plants taking over palaces, precious things, and tents vividly portrays the reversal of order, the loss of blessing, and the return to a state of wildness and decay. Qimmâshôwn thus serves as a stark, reverent reminder of the severe repercussions of straying from God's path, embodying the theological truth that disobedience leads to desolation, and that earthly glory is fleeting without divine favor.
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