קִמָּשׂוֹן (qim.ma.shon)
qim.ma.shon
thorn
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word qimmāshôn refers to thorny, prickly plants such as thistles or nettles. It appears only once in the Old Testament, within Proverbs 24:31, where it describes the overgrown state of a neglected field. The term highlights vegetation that is not merely wild but actively harmful or useless, serving as an obstacle rather than a source of sustenance.
Lexical sources note that this spelling is a variant of qimmôsh (H7057), both pointing to the same category of irritating flora. In its single biblical occurrence, the word illustrates the consequences of laziness: the field has become choked with these sharp plants, rendering it unusable and dangerous to walk through.
This imagery provides a concrete picture of decay. The thorns are not just weeds; they are persistent, painful reminders of abandoned responsibility. The text uses this specific botanical detail to make a moral point about diligence and order, contrasting the productive field with the chaotic, prickly ruin left by neglect.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qimmāshôn appears just once in Scripture, painting a vivid picture of neglect in Proverbs 24:31. It describes thorns and nettles that choke a field left untended. This is not merely wild growth; it is sharp, painful vegetation that makes the land unusable. The image serves as a stark warning about the consequences of abandoning our responsibilities.
For your daily life, this word reminds us that inaction has a cost. When we ignore the tasks God has placed before us, they do not simply disappear. Instead, they grow into obstacles that hinder progress and cause pain. Diligence keeps the path clear, while laziness invites thorns to take root.
Let this truth encourage you to tend to your own 'fields' with care. Whether it is your relationships, your work, or your spiritual habits, consistent attention prevents decay. God calls us to be faithful stewards of what He has entrusted to us, knowing that our diligence reflects His order and love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- thorns1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קִמְּשֹׂנִ֗ים1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 24:31
Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
This is the only occurrence of qimmāshôn in the Bible, where it specifically denotes the harmful nettles that have overrun a neglected field.