סָרָב
𐤎𐤓𐤁
çârâb
H5621 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of desert shrub or thorny plant, often appearing in the Hebrew Bible as a general term for a sharp, prickly bush, frequently associated with wastelands or inhospitable areas. The word connotes plants that are difficult to pass through and may be symbolic of desolation or curse. Though sometimes translated as 'thistle' or 'brier', it does not correspond precisely to any single modern plant species.
Semantic Range
thorny shrub, thistle, brier, general thorn bush, wild prickly plant
Root / Etymology
The word is traditionally linked to an unused root סרב (s.r.b.), meaning 'to sting' or 'to be sharp', though the root is not otherwise attested in Hebrew. The etymological connection is based on the conceptual idea of a sharp or stinging plant. However, the exact botanical identification and the full root relationship remain uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
סָרָב (sarav) appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible, typically in poetic or prophetic texts where it contributes to imagery of barrenness, judgment, or wilderness. It parallels other Hebrew terms for thorny plants (e.g., חוח, דרדר, שמיר, שמיר ושית), but is less common and somewhat more generic in scope. Unlike some related terms which describe thorns strictly in agricultural settings, סָרָב tends to evoke a wild or uncultivated landscape. Later translations, including the Septuagint and Vulgate, render the term variously as 'thistle', 'brier', or simply as 'thorn', highlighting both the uncertainty and generality of the reference. It is not used in post-exilic Hebrew and does not acquire more specialized meaning in later Jewish literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to sting; a thistle; brier.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
סרב (s-r-b) — to sting, to be sharp
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5621-01 |
סָרָבִ֤ים | saravim | HNcmpa |
thistles | stinging thorn-bushes | stinging thorn-bushes | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5621-01 |
Ezekiel 2:6 | סָרָבִ֤ים | saravim | HNcmpa |
thistles | stinging thorn-bushes | stinging thorn-bushes |