ἄκανθα (G173) — Greek Lexicon

ἄκανθα

ákantha

G173 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A thorn or prickle; the sharp, stiff, and often pointed projection found on certain plants. In various contexts, can refer specifically to a thorn bush or bramble, or more generally to any thorny plant. Also used metaphorically for something that is an impediment, source of suffering, or difficulty.

Semantic Range

thorn, prickle, thorn bush, thistly plant, bramble, metaphorical impediment or source of suffering

Root / Etymology

From the root ἀκανθ-; possibly related to ἀκμόν (point, edge), though the precise relationship is debated. Cognate with other Indo-European terms for thorn or prickle. The etymology is generally considered uncertain beyond Greek formations.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἄκανθα appears widely in classical and Hellenistic Greek for any type of thorn or thorny plant, such as brambles or thistles. In the Septuagint, it renders various Hebrew terms for thorns and brambles, usually with negative or afflictive connotations (e.g., Genesis 3:18). In the New Testament, ἄκανθα is used both literally (e.g., the 'crown of thorns' in Matthew 27:29) and metaphorically (e.g., the thorns that choke the seed in the Parable of the Sower, Matthew 13:7). The standard English rendering as 'thorn' is generally accurate, but may underrepresent the range of plants to which the term could refer in ancient botanical understanding, including general bramble or thistly shrubs. The figurative use draws on longstanding associations of thorns with pain, frustration, or fruitlessness.

Translation Consistency

primary "thorn" 14 occurrences

The primary, natural English equivalent across the semantic range is ‘thorn’ (covers thorn/prickle, thorn bush/bramble, and metaphorical impediment). Most occurrences are plural ‘thorns,’ so the singular ‘thorn’ serves as the consistent base form to be inflected as needed.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from the same as ἀκμήν; a thorn:--thorn.

Root Family

ἄκανθα (akantha) — thorn, prickle

Root ἀκανθ- thorn, prickle

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G173-02`	ἀκάνθας	akanthas	`N ACC F PL`	thorns	thorns	thorns	6
`G173-03`	ἀκανθῶν	akanthon	`N GEN F PL`	thorns	of thorns	of thorns	5
`G173-01`	ἄκανθαι	akanthai	`N NOM F PL`	thorns	thorns	thorns	3

Occurrences in Scripture

14 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G173-03`	Matthew 7:16	ἀκανθῶν	akanthon	`N GEN F PL`	thorns	of thorns	of thorns
`G173-02`	Matthew 13:7	ἀκάνθας	akanthas	`N ACC F PL`	thorns	thorns	thorns
`G173-01`	Matthew 13:7	ἄκανθαι	akanthai	`N NOM F PL`	thorns	thorns	thorns
`G173-02`	Matthew 13:22	ἀκάνθας	akanthas	`N ACC F PL`	thorns	thorns	thorns
`G173-03`	Matthew 27:29	ἀκανθῶν	akanthon	`N GEN F PL`	thorns	of thorns	of thorns
`G173-02`	Mark 4:7	ἀκάνθας	akanthas	`N ACC F PL`	thorns	thorns	thorns
`G173-01`	Mark 4:7	ἄκανθαι	akanthai	`N NOM F PL`	thorns	thorns	thorns
`G173-02`	Mark 4:18	ἀκάνθας	akanthas	`N ACC F PL`	thorns	thorns	thorns
`G173-03`	Luke 6:44	ἀκανθῶν	akanthon	`N GEN F PL`	thornbushes	of thorns	of thorns
`G173-03`	Luke 8:7	ἀκανθῶν	akanthon	`N GEN F PL`	thorns	of thorns	of thorns
`G173-01`	Luke 8:7	ἄκανθαι	akanthai	`N NOM F PL`	thorns	thorns	thorns
`G173-02`	Luke 8:14	ἀκάνθας	akanthas	`N ACC F PL`	thorns	thorns	thorns
`G173-03`	John 19:2	ἀκανθῶν	akanthon	`N GEN F PL`	thorns	of thorns	of thorns
`G173-02`	Hebrews 6:8	ἀκάνθας	akanthas	`N ACC F PL`	thorns	thorns	thorns

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