Briers, often referred to as thorns or thornbushes, are mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, symbolizing various spiritual and physical realities. In the biblical context, briers are typically associated with desolation, judgment, and the consequences of sin. They serve as a vivid metaphor for the challenges and obstacles that arise from disobedience to God.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, briers are frequently used to illustrate the curse of the ground following the Fall of Man. In Genesis 3:18, God declares to Adam, "It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field." This passage highlights the introduction of hardship and toil into human life as a result of sin.

The prophet Isaiah often uses briers to symbolize desolation and divine judgment. In Isaiah 5:6, God speaks of His vineyard, saying, "I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there." This imagery underscores the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness and the resulting desolation of the land.

Similarly, in Isaiah 7:23-25, the prophet describes a time when cultivated lands will become overgrown with briers and thorns, indicating a reversal of prosperity and the onset of judgment. The presence of briers in these passages serves as a stark reminder of the spiritual barrenness that accompanies turning away from God.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, briers continue to symbolize spiritual impediments and the consequences of sin. Jesus uses the imagery of thorns in the Parable of the Sower. In Matthew 13:7, He describes seed falling among thorns, which grow up and choke the plants. Later, in Matthew 13:22, Jesus explains, "The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful." Here, briers represent the distractions and temptations that prevent spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

The Apostle Paul also alludes to the concept of briers in Hebrews 6:7-8, where he writes, "For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned." This passage emphasizes the importance of spiritual productivity and the dire consequences of spiritual neglect.

Symbolic Meaning

Throughout Scripture, briers serve as a powerful symbol of the consequences of sin and the spiritual barrenness that results from turning away from God. They remind believers of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commandments. Briers also illustrate the challenges and obstacles that can hinder spiritual growth, urging believers to remain vigilant and steadfast in their faith.

In a broader sense, briers can be seen as a metaphor for the trials and tribulations that believers may face in their spiritual journey. They call for perseverance and reliance on God's grace to overcome the difficulties of life and to produce spiritual fruit.1303. barqanim -- briars
... 1302, 1303. barqanim. 1304 . briars. Transliteration: barqanim Phonetic
Spelling: (bar-kwan') Short Definition: briers. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/1303.htm - 6k

7898. shayith -- thornbushes
... thorns. From shiyth; scrub or trash, ie Wild growth of weeds or briers (as if put
on the field) -- thorns. see HEBREW shiyth. 7897, 7898. shayith. 7899 . ...
/hebrew/7898.htm - 6k

Rejoicing in the Lord
... gathering the flowers and enjoying their fragrance, when this sister, who had been
walking by my side, called my attention to some unsightly briers that were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 13 rejoicing in the.htm

Farther Meditations to Stir up to Prayer in the Morning.
... 5. That in going abroad into the world, thou goest into a forest full of unknown
dangers, where thou shalt meet many briers to tear thy good name, many snares ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/farther meditations to stir up.htm

Light or Fire?
... 'And the Light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and
it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day.'"Isaiah 10:17. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/light or fire.htm

The Grasp that Brings Peace
... discernible. God is guarding Israel, His vineyard, and before Him its foes
are weak as 'thorns and briers,' whose end is to be burned. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the grasp that brings peace.htm

Gideon's Brave Band
... replied, "When Jehovah has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my power, for this
insult I will thrash your bare flesh with desert thorns and briers." He went on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/gideons brave band.htm

Translation from the Greek.
... oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whom it is dressed, receiveth
blessing from God; but that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translation from the greek.htm

From the Death of Bishop Asbury to the Close of the General ...
... It is not saying too much to affirm, that he vanquished all his antagonists, cleared
the field of controversy of the thorns and briers of error, and at the ...
/.../chapter 3 from the death.htm

For There is one Descent into this Region...
... and esteeming those things beyond what we have here; with whom there is no place
of toil, no burning heat, no piercing cold, nor are any briers there; but the ...
/.../josephus/discourse to the greeks concerning hades/section 3 for there is.htm

Chrysostom -- Excessive Grief at the Death of Friends
... For as in regard to visible treasures, while the surface of the ground shows only
thorns and briers, and rough earth, yet, let a person dig deep into it ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/chrysostom excessive grief at.htm

"My Garden" --"His Garden"
... God to see love growing where once all was hate, and to see faith springing up in
that very soul which was formerly choked with the thorns and briers of doubt ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/my gardenhis garden.htm

Briers (17 Occurrences)
...Briers (17 Occurrences). ... (See NIV). Hebrews 6:8 But that which beareth thorns and
briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. ...
/b/briers.htm - 11k

Brier (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Brier (10 Occurrences). Isaiah 5:6 I will lay it a wasteland.
It won't be pruned nor hoed, but it will grow briers and thorns. ...
/b/brier.htm - 11k

Thorns (56 Occurrences)
... Therefore when Yahweh has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, then I will
tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers." (WEB KJV ...
/t/thorns.htm - 25k

Thorn (30 Occurrences)
... Atad occurs as a proper name in Genesis 50:10, 11. (2) barqanim (Judges 8:7,
16, English Versions of the Bible "briers"): Some thorny plant. ...
/t/thorn.htm - 35k

Succoth (18 Occurrences)
... "He took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and
with them he taught the men of Succoth" (Judges 8:13-16). ...
/s/succoth.htm - 16k

Digged (37 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 5:6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there
shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they ...
/d/digged.htm - 18k

Flesh (468 Occurrences)
... Atad occurs as a proper name in Genesis 50:10, 11. (2) barqanim (Judges 8:7,
16, English Versions of the Bible "briers"): Some thorny plant. ...
/f/flesh.htm - 69k

Devour (118 Occurrences)
... fire. It devours the briers and thorns; yes, it kindles in the thickets
of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke. ...
/d/devour.htm - 37k

Yields (21 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 6:8 But if it only yields a mass of thorns and briers, it is considered
worthless, and is in danger of being cursed, and in the end will be destroyed ...
/y/yields.htm - 12k

Zalmun'na (8 Occurrences)
... said, "Well then, when the LORD has given Zebah and Zalmun'na into my hand, I will
flail your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers." (DBY RSV ...
/z/zalmun'na.htm - 8k

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