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Thistles (2)

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

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THISTLES.—In the NT thistles (τρίβολοι) are mentioned twice (Matthew 7:16, Hebrews 6:8 Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 ). The term, however, is loosely employed, and probably embraces several genera of spinous plants, in which Palestine is peculiarly rich. In Hebrew there is a very extensive and varied nomenclature, about twenty terms being employed which denote prickly shrubs or weeds; but in many instances the precise meaning is unknown, while in many others the words are used in the most general way. Tristram, who goes very fully into the matter (Nat. Hist. of Bible, 423–432), identifies Heb. hôah with the common thistle (Carduus) and dardar with knapweed (Centaurea). Of the former there are many species, the most common among them being: (1) Notabasis syriaca, a tall thistle with pink flowers; (2) the yellow spotted thistle (Scolymus maculatus); and (3) Carthamus oxycanthus, which has a yellow flower. Of the latter there are also many species, notably the star-thistle (Centaurea calcitrapa). These plants were exceedingly troublesome to the farmer, the corn-fields often being overrun with them.

The only reference to thistles which occurs in the Gospels is in our Lord’s question, ‘Do men gather … figs of thistles?^{1 [Note: designates the particular edition of the work referred]} (Matthew 7:16).

Hugh Duncan.