Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
No less than eighteen Hebrew words embrace the thistle, thorn, brier, and bramble species, which is prolific in Palestine
(Gen. 3:18). Figurative for desolation (Prov. 24:31; Isa. 5:6; Hos. 2:6); providential visitation (Num. 33:55; Judg. 2:3; 2 Cor. 12:7); hindrance (Prov. 15:19); troubles (Prov. 22:5). “Crown of thorns,” both punishment and derision (Matt. 27:29).
“Briers” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
Six different Hebrew words are so translated, several of which cannot be particularized. It shows how abundant are the fruits of the curse pronounced in Eden because of the sin of man, but which will be removed in the millennium, when the myrtle, etc., will take its place (Judg. 8:7, 16; Isa. 5:6; Isa. 55:13; Ezek. 2:6; Ezek. 28:24; Mic. 7:4).
“Thistles” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
See THORNS.
Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:
Transliteration:
tribolos
Meaning:
from 5140 and 956; properly, a crow-foot (three-pronged obstruction in war), i.e. (by analogy) a thorny plant (caltrop)
KJV Usage:
brier, thistle