קוֹץ (qots)
qots
thorn
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun qots refers to a sharp, prickly plant, typically translated as "thorn" or "thornbush." In the Old Testament, it appears in ten verses, with significant usage in Judges, Jeremiah, and Isaiah. The term describes a physical obstacle that causes pain and hinders movement, serving as a tangible symbol of difficulty or obstruction.
Its most famous occurrence is in Genesis 3:18, where God declares that the ground will produce thorns and thistles as a consequence of human disobedience. This usage establishes qots as a marker of the cursed earth, contrasting with the ideal state of abundance. Later prophets use it metaphorically to describe nations or peoples who become painful burdens or obstacles to Israel, such as in Jeremiah 48:8 or Isaiah 7:19.
The word conveys more than just botanical detail; it carries theological weight regarding the fallen state of creation and the consequences of sin. Translators consistently render it as "thorn" or "thorns," preserving the image of something sharp, unwanted, and painful that impedes progress or causes suffering.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Thorns represent the friction of living in a world that is not yet fully restored. Genesis 3:18 introduces them as part of the ground’s curse, marking a shift from effortless provision to laborious survival. This image reminds us that difficulty is part of our current reality, yet it does not define God’s final purpose for creation.
Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah use thorns to describe spiritual barrenness and the consequences of turning away from God. When people sow discord or injustice, they reap a harvest of pain, much like trying to eat wheat that has turned into prickly weeds. These warnings highlight the importance of cultivating hearts aligned with divine wisdom.
Even in hardship, thorns point toward hope. They remind us that while the earth groans under its current state, God’s grace remains available to those who seek restoration. This awareness invites patience and trust as we navigate seasons of trial.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- thorns2×
- thornbushes1×
- thornbush[es]1×
- thorn[s]1×
- and/ thorns1×
- and/ thorn[s]1×
- [the] thorns of1×
- [is] like/ thorn[s]1×
- <the> thorns of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קוֹצֵ֥י2×
- קוֹצִֽים\׃1×
- קוֹצִ֥ים1×
- קוֹצִ֑ים1×
- ק֥וֹץ1×
- ק֣וֹץ1×
- כְּ/ק֥וֹץ1×
- וְ/קֹצִ֣ים1×
- וְ/ק֥וֹץ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 3:18
It will yield thorns and thistles to you; and you will eat the herb of the field.
This verse establishes thorns as a tangible sign of the curse following human disobedience, contrasting with the original harmony of Eden.
-
Isaiah 32:13
Thorns and briers will come up on my people’s land; yes, on all the houses of joy in the joyous city.
Here thorns symbolize the desolation awaiting Israel due to their neglect of justice and care for the vulnerable.
-
Jeremiah 4:3
For Yahweh says to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem, “Break up your fallow ground, and don’t sow among thorns.
God commands His people to remove thorns from their hearts, urging them to stop cultivating sin and return to faithful obedience.
-
Psalms 118:12
They surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like the burning thorns. In Yahweh’s name I cut them off.
The psalmist compares enemies to burning thorns, illustrating how divine intervention quickly consumes those who oppose God’s people.