τρίβολος
tribolos
thistle
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word τρίβολος (tribolos) is a noun that refers to a type of plant, specifically a thistle. This word appears only twice in the Bible, indicating its relatively limited usage in biblical language. The fact that it is a specific type of plant suggests that the author may be using it to convey a particular characteristic or quality associated with thistles. Given its definition as a thistle, it is likely that the author is using τρίβολος to convey a sense of prickliness or inedibility. Thistles are known for their sharp, spiny leaves and stems, which make them difficult to handle or eat. This may be the connotation the author intends to convey when using this word. The limited usage of τρίβολος in the Bible suggests that it may be used to make a specific point or draw a particular comparison. Without more context, it is difficult to say exactly how the author intends to use this word, but its definition as a thistle provides a clear understanding of its meaning and significance.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences across the text