קִמָּשׁוֹן
𐤒𐤌𐤔𐤅𐤍
qimmâshôwn
H7063 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of prickly or thorny plant, generally identified as a weed found growing in neglected or desolate places. The term denotes vegetation that is undesirable, especially in the context of land that has been abandoned or is under a curse or judgment. The primary sense in biblical usage refers to the physical qualities of a spiny, abrasive plant, not a specific botanical species, but rather a category of thorny plants or weeds.
Semantic Range
thorn, bramble, prickly weed, wild or uncultivated plant, symbol of desolation or abandonment, evidence of neglect
Root / Etymology
From the same root as קִמּוֹשׁ (qimmôsh), which also denotes a thorn or thistle. The root קמש (q-m-sh) is likely onomatopoetic, imitating a snapping or parching sound, and traditionally is understood to relate to withering or shriveling, particularly under harsh conditions. The form קִמָּשׁוֹן is a noun formation from this root, and parallels are found in related Semitic languages.
Historical & Contextual Notes
קִמָּשׁוֹן (qimmâshôwn) is a rare term, appearing in poetic or prophetic contexts to evoke images of desolation, neglect, or divine judgment, where formerly cultivated or prosperous land becomes overgrown with brambles and thorns. This evokes the curses found throughout the Hebrew Bible, particularly the consequences of covenant violation or neglect of land stewardship (cf. Isaiah 34:13, Hosea 9:6). English 'thorn' or 'weed' may not capture the broad semantic range, as the term can refer to various species and is not specific. Related terms for thorny vegetation in Hebrew include דרדר (drdr; 'thistle') and שמיר (shamir; 'brier'). The word is not tied to a particular period and does not denote a specific botanical species, but rather a type of vegetation associated with barrenness or abandonment.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as קִמּוֹשׁ; a prickly plant; thorn.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קמש (q-m-sh) — to shrivel, wither, dry up
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7057 | קִמּוֹשׁ | stinging weed |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7063-01 |
קִמְּשֹׂנִ֗ים | qimesonim | HNcmpa |
thistles | withered prickly weeds | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7063-01 |
Proverbs 24:31 | קִמְּשֹׂנִ֗ים | qimesonim | HNcmpa |
thistles | withered prickly weeds |