from שָׁמַר in the original sense of pricking; a thorn; also (from its keenness for scratching) a gem, probably the diamond; adamant (stone), brier, diamond.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H8068 (שָׁמִיר, *shâmîyr*) is derived from the root H8104 (שָׁמַר, *shamar*), which in its original, less common sense, conveys the idea of "pricking" or "sharpness." This core meaning gives rise to a fascinating dual semantic range for shâmîyr.
Primarily, shâmîyr refers to a "thorn" or "brier"—a sharp, prickly plant that indicates wildness, desolation, or obstruction. This usage emphasizes the common experience of encountering sharp, unwanted vegetation.
Secondly, shâmîyr denotes an "adamant stone" or "diamond." This meaning stems from the stone's extreme hardness, its ability to cut or scratch other materials, and its unyielding nature. The connection between "thorn" and "diamond" lies in their shared characteristic of being sharp, penetrating, and resilient, though one is a common weed and the other a precious, durable gem. The context dictates which aspect of shâmîyr is intended, whether it is a symbol of wild growth and decay or a metaphor for impenetrable hardness and permanence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H8068 (שָׁמִיר) appears 14 times in the Old Testament, with its meaning consistently aligning with either "thorn/brier" or "adamant/diamond."
* **As "Thorn" or "Brier" (Symbol of Desolation and Judgment):**
* In the book of Isaiah, shâmîyr frequently appears alongside H7898 (שָׁיִת, *shayith*), another word for briers or thorns, to depict the desolation of the land as a consequence of divine judgment.
* [[Isaiah 5:6]]: "I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up." Here, shâmîyr signifies the outcome of God's judgment on the unfruitful vineyard.
* [[Isaiah 7:23]], [[Isaiah 7:24]], [[Isaiah 7:25]]: These verses describe a future where fertile land will be overrun by "briers and thorns" due to the Assyrian invasion and God's judgment, rendering it fit only for grazing.
* [[Isaiah 9:18]]: "For wickedness burns like a fire; it consumes briers and thorns." Here, shâmîyr represents the destructive elements that are themselves consumed by even greater wickedness.
* [[Isaiah 10:17]]: "And the Light of Israel will become a fire, and his Holy One a flame, and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day." God's judgment consumes the obstacles and evils within His people.
* [[Isaiah 27:4]]: "I have no wrath. Would that briers and thorns were against me in battle! I would march through them, I would burn them up together." God's power is absolute over any opposition, even those that seem formidable.
* [[Isaiah 32:13]]: "on the land of my people, briers and thorns will come up, yes, on all the joyous houses in the exultant city." This again speaks of desolation and the reversal of prosperity due to judgment.
* [[Ezekiel 2:6]]: "And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you, and you dwell among scorpions." Here, shâmîyr metaphorically describes the rebellious and hostile nature of the people Ezekiel is sent to prophesy to, likening them to painful, obstructive plants.
* **As "Adamant" or "Diamond" (Symbol of Hardness and Permanence):**
* [[Jeremiah 17:1]]: "The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of your altars." The "diamond point" (shâmîyr) emphasizes the deep, indelible, and permanent nature of Judah's sin, etched into their very being.
* [[Ezekiel 3:9]]: "Like adamant, harder than flint, have I made your forehead. Do not fear them or be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house." God strengthens Ezekiel, making his resolve as unyielding as the "adamant stone," mirroring the hardness of the people's hearts so that he might stand firm against their rebellion.
* [[Zechariah 7:12]]: "They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets." This verse explicitly uses shâmîyr to describe the extreme spiritual hardness and stubbornness of the people's hearts, their deliberate refusal to heed God's word.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary root related to H8068 is H8104 (שָׁמַר, *shamar*), meaning "to guard, watch, preserve." While the common usage of shamar is distinct, the ancient sense of "pricking" or "being sharp" forms the etymological bridge to shâmîyr.
Other Hebrew words for "thorn" or "brier" that often appear in similar contexts include H6975 (קוֹץ, *qôts*) and H7898 (שָׁיִת, *shayith*), which is notably paired with shâmîyr in Isaiah.
Concepts associated with shâmîyr as "adamant" include H6862 (צֹר, *tsor*) or H6864 (צֻר, *tsur*), meaning "flint" or "rock," which also convey hardness and unyielding nature. The theological concepts highlighted by shâmîyr encompass desolation, divine judgment, human rebellion, the stubbornness of the heart, divine resolve, and the permanence of sin.
### Theological Significance
The dual nature of shâmîyr offers profound theological insights:
1. **Symbol of Divine Judgment and Consequences:** As "briers and thorns," shâmîyr consistently serves as a stark symbol of God's judgment upon sin and rebellion. It represents the reversal of blessing, the desolation of what was once fruitful, and the painful consequences of turning away from divine instruction. The proliferation of shâmîyr signifies a land cursed and a people suffering the painful harvest of their choices.
2. **Symbol of Human Hardness and Rebellion:** The use of shâmîyr as "adamant" or "diamond" powerfully illustrates the extreme stubbornness and recalcitrance of the human heart in its rebellion against God. The heart that is "diamond-hard" is impenetrable to divine truth, unwilling to listen, and resistant to change. This highlights the depth of human depravity and the formidable obstacle it presents to God's redemptive purposes.
3. **Symbol of Divine Resolve and Prophetic Steadfastness:** In contrast to the hardness of rebellious humanity, shâmîyr also portrays the unwavering resolve of God and His chosen messengers. When God makes Ezekiel's forehead "like adamant," it signifies that the prophet's determination and the firmness of his divine message will match, and ultimately overcome, the people's stubborn resistance. This underscores God's steadfastness in His purposes and the unyielding power of His word.
4. **The Indelible Nature of Sin:** The imagery in Jeremiah 17:1 of sin being "engraved with a point of diamond" underscores its deep-seated, persistent, and seemingly indelible nature within the human heart. This emphasizes the gravity of sin and the need for a supernatural intervention to cleanse and transform such a deeply etched reality.
### Summary
H8068 (שָׁמִיר, *shâmîyr*) is a compelling Hebrew word whose semantic range extends from the common "thorn" or "brier" to the rare and hard "adamant stone" or "diamond." Derived from a root conveying "pricking" or "sharpness," its usage in the Old Testament is consistently illustrative of significant theological themes.
As "thorn," shâmîyr frequently symbolizes the desolation and painful consequences of divine judgment upon a rebellious people and land. It represents the barrenness and ruin that result from turning away from God.
As "adamant," shâmîyr powerfully depicts the extreme hardness and unyielding nature of the human heart in its resistance to God's word and law. It highlights the stubbornness of human rebellion and the profound challenge it poses. Conversely, it also portrays the steadfastness of God's own resolve and the unyielding nature of His prophetic message, empowering His servants to stand firm against opposition. Furthermore, it graphically illustrates the deep, indelible inscription of sin upon the human heart.
In essence, shâmîyr serves as a potent reminder of both the destructive power of sin and judgment, and the unyielding, transformative power of God's truth and purpose.
TRV