צָנִין
tsa.nin
thorn
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word צָנִין (tsa.nin) corresponds to the Strong's number H6796, with "thorn" as its primary definition. This term falls within the semantic domain of Creation and Nature. It is a rare word in the Bible, appearing only twice. Given its definition, we can infer that the word likely refers to a plant or a sharp pointy structure associated with vegetation. The significance of this word lies in its potential metaphorical connections. Since thorns are typically associated with growth, pain, or unwanted obstacles, its usage in the Bible may highlight themes of suffering, hardship, or protection. However, without further context or information, it is essential to approach its meaning with caution and consider the specific narrative it appears in. For a broader understanding, we would need additional information, such as how it is used in each of its two appearances in the Bible, and any accompanying descriptions or metaphors. Nevertheless, as a standalone term, צָנִין points towards a specific, literal object with possible metaphorical undertones.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences across the text
“But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those you let remain of them will be like pricks in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will harass you in the land in which you dwell.
Joshua 23:13know for a certainty that Yahweh your God will no longer drive these nations from out of your sight; but they shall be a snare and a trap to you, a scourge in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which Yahweh your God has given you.