Easton’s Bible Dictionary

Brier

1.

This word occurs frequently, and is the translation of several different terms.

2.

Micah 7:4, it denotes a species of thorn shrub used for hedges. In Prov. 15:19 the word is rendered “thorn” (Heb. hedek, “stinging”), supposed by some to be what is called the “apple of Sodom” (q.v.).

3.

Ezek. 28:24, sallon’, properly a “prickle,” such as is found on the shoots of the palm tree.

4.

Isa. 55:13, probably simply a thorny bush. Some, following the Vulgate Version, regard it as the “nettle.”

5.

Isa. 5:6; 7:23-25, etc., frequently used to denote thorny shrubs in general. In 10:17; 27:4, it means troublesome men.

6.

In Heb. 6:8 the Greek word (tribolos) so rendered means “three-pronged,” and denotes the land caltrop, a low throny shrub resembling in its spikes the military “crow-foot.” Comp. Matt. 7:16, “thistle.”

Brier in Nave’s Topical Bible4 references, arranged by theme

Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), public domain. Text via Theographic Bible Metadata, CC BY-SA 4.0.