τρίβολος (G5146) — Greek Lexicon

τρίβολος

tríbolos

G5146 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A device with three (sometimes more) pointed projections, used as a military obstacle (caltrop); by extension, a type of thorny or spiky plant reminiscent of such a device. The word primarily denotes a caltrop—an object with sharp projections arranged so that one always points upward, used to impede cavalry or foot soldiers. In metaphorical or descriptive contexts, it can refer to a spiny or prickly plant, such as a thistle or brier.

Semantic Range

caltrop (military obstruction), thorny plant, thistle, brier, object that injures by sharpness

Root / Etymology

From τρεῖς (three) and βέλος (dart, missile, or point); literally, 'three-pointed' object. The word is compound, reflecting both form and function, with the plant sense deriving by analogy to the shape of military caltrops.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, τρίβολος originally referred to a military caltrop—a spiked device thrown on the ground to injure enemy troops or horses. This sense appears in military treatises, technical documents, and descriptions of warfare. By analogy, the term was also applied to certain species of prickly plants, particularly Tribulus terrestris, whose fruit bears sharp spikes reminiscent of the caltrop. In the Septuagint (e.g., Proverbs 22:5; Isaiah 34:13), τρίβολος is used to translate Hebrew terms for briers or thorns, indicating a transfer of the military meaning to botanical metaphor. In the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 7:16; Hebrews 6:8), τρίβολος retains the sense of a thorny or spiny plant, emphasizing its hazardous, injurious character. English Bible translations often render the term as 'brier,' 'thistle,' or 'thorn,' but these can obscure the original imagery of spiny obstructions—whether artificial or botanical. The shift from a military object to a plant metaphor reveals semantic broadening, but both senses retain the core idea of injury and obstruction.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from τρεῖς and βέλος; properly, a crow-foot (three-pronged obstruction in war), i.e. (by analogy) a thorny plant (caltrop):--brier, thistle.

Root Family

τρίβολος (tribolos) — caltrop, spiked obstruction, thorny object, piercing device

Root τριβ-βελ- to pierce, to obstruct with sharp points

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5146-01`	τριβόλων	tribolon	`N GEN M PL`	thistles	of caltrops	of caltrops	1
`G5146-02`	τριβόλους	tribolous	`N ACC M PL`	thistles	caltrops	caltrops	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5146-01`	Matthew 7:16	τριβόλων	tribolon	`N GEN M PL`	thistles	of caltrops	of caltrops
`G5146-02`	Hebrews 6:8	τριβόλους	tribolous	`N ACC M PL`	thistles	caltrops	caltrops

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