CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 3:18 Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/3-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/01_Gen_03_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 3:18 - The Punishment of Mankind" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/3-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/3-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/3-17.htm" title="Genesis 3:17">◄</a> Genesis 3:18 <a href="/genesis/3-19.htm" title="Genesis 3:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; Yet you shall eat the plants of the field;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you shall eat the plants of the field;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you shall eat the plants of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Your food will be plants, but the ground will produce thorns and thistles. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The ground will grow thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat wild plants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />It will produce weeds and thorns, and you will have to eat wild plants. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you'll eat the plants from the meadows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />It will produce thorns and thistles for you, but you will eat the grain of the field. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Thorns also and thistles will it bring forth to you; and you will eat the plants of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />It will yield thorns and thistles to you; and you will eat the herb of the field. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and it brings forth thorn and bramble for you, and you have eaten the herb of the field;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and thorn and bramble it doth bring forth to thee, and thou hast eaten the herb of the field;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And thorns and weeds shall it cause to sprout forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the green herb of the field.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou eat the herbs of the earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Thorns and thistles shall it produce for you, and you shall eat the plants of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Thorns and thistles it shall bear for you, and you shall eat the grass of the field. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to you; and you shall eat the herb of the field;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Thorns and thistles it will grow for you, and you will eat the grass of the field;<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee, and thou shalt eat the herb of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/3-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=690" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/3.htm">The Punishment of Mankind</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>And to Adam He said: “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat, cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6975.htm" title="6975: wə·qō·wṣ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- A thorn, thornbush. Or qots; from quwts; a thorn.">Both thorns</a> <a href="/hebrew/1863.htm" title="1863: wə·ḏar·dar (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Thistles. Of uncertain derivation; a thorn.">and thistles</a> <a href="/hebrew/6779.htm" title="6779: taṣ·mî·aḥ (V-Hifil-Imperf-3fs) -- To sprout, spring up. A primitive root; to sprout.">it will yield</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- ">for you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: wə·’ā·ḵal·tā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">and you will eat</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6212.htm" title="6212: ‘ê·śeḇ (N-msc) -- Herb, herbage. From an unused root meaning to glisten; grass.">the plants</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: haś·śā·ḏeh (Art:: N-ms) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">of the field.</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-20.htm">Romans 8:20-22</a></span><br />For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. / We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-13.htm">Isaiah 55:13</a></span><br />Instead of the thornbush, the cypress will grow, and instead of the brier, the myrtle will spring up; this will make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign, never to be destroyed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/6-8.htm">Hebrews 6:8</a></span><br />But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/31-40.htm">Job 31:40</a></span><br />then let briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” Thus conclude the words of Job.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/10-8.htm">Hosea 10:8</a></span><br />The high places of Aven will be destroyed—it is the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-16.htm">Matthew 7:16-20</a></span><br />By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. / A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-13.htm">Jeremiah 12:13</a></span><br />They have sown wheat but harvested thorns. They have exhausted themselves to no avail. Bear the shame of your harvest because of the fierce anger of the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-6.htm">Isaiah 5:6</a></span><br />I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and thorns and briers will grow up. I will command the clouds that rain shall not fall on it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/29-23.htm">Deuteronomy 29:23</a></span><br />All its soil will be a burning waste of sulfur and salt, unsown and unproductive, with no plant growing on it, just like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His fierce anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/7-23.htm">Isaiah 7:23-25</a></span><br />And on that day, in every place that had a thousand vines worth a thousand shekels of silver, only briers and thorns will be found. / Men will go there with bow and arrow, for the land will be covered with briers and thorns. / For fear of the briers and thorns, you will no longer traverse the hills once tilled by the hoe; they will become places for oxen to graze and sheep to trample.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/2-6.htm">Ezekiel 2:6</a></span><br />But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-4.htm">Micah 7:4</a></span><br />The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. The day for your watchmen has come, the day of your visitation. Now is the time of their confusion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-30.htm">Proverbs 24:30-31</a></span><br />I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. / Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/32-13.htm">Isaiah 32:13</a></span><br />and for the land of my people, overgrown with thorns and briers—even for every house of merriment in this city of revelry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-44.htm">Luke 6:44</a></span><br />For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor grapes from brambles.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to you; and you shall eat the herb of the field;</p><p class="hdg">Thorns.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/23-13.htm">Joshua 23:13</a></b></br> Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out <i>any of</i> these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/5-5.htm">Job 5:5</a></b></br> Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/31-40.htm">Job 31:40</a></b></br> Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.</p><p class="hdg">bring forth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/1-21.htm">Job 1:21</a></b></br> And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/90-3.htm">Psalm 90:3</a></b></br> Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/104-2.htm">Psalm 104:2,14,15</a></b></br> Who coverest <i>thyself</i> with light as <i>with</i> a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/6-45.htm">Bramble</a> <a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Field</a> <a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Food</a> <a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/genesis/2-9.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/genesis/2-5.htm">Herb</a> <a href="/genesis/2-5.htm">Plants</a> <a href="/genesis/1-24.htm">Produce</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-8.htm">Thistles</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-7.htm">Thorn</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-8.htm">Thorns</a> <a href="/genesis/1-2.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/genesis/1-11.htm">Yield</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/9-14.htm">Bramble</a> <a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/genesis/6-21.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Field</a> <a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Food</a> <a href="/genesis/3-22.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/genesis/26-13.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/genesis/9-3.htm">Herb</a> <a href="/genesis/9-3.htm">Plants</a> <a href="/genesis/38-8.htm">Produce</a> <a href="/job/31-40.htm">Thistles</a> <a href="/exodus/22-6.htm">Thorn</a> <a href="/exodus/22-6.htm">Thorns</a> <a href="/genesis/14-6.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/genesis/4-12.htm">Yield</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">The serpent deceives Eve.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Both she and Adam transgress the divine command, and fall into sin.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/3-8.htm">God arraigns them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">The serpent is cursed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/3-15.htm">The promised seed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">The punishment of mankind.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/3-21.htm">Their first clothing.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/3-22.htm">Their expulsion from paradise.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/genesis/3.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Both thorns and thistles</b><br />The Hebrew words for "thorns" (קוֹץ, qots) and "thistles" (דַּרְדַּר, dardar) evoke imagery of hardship and struggle. In the ancient Near Eastern context, these words symbolize the curse upon the ground due to Adam's disobedience. Thorns and thistles represent obstacles and challenges that humanity must now face as a consequence of sin. They are a stark reminder of the fall from grace and the introduction of pain and toil into human existence. Theologically, these elements signify the brokenness of creation and the need for redemption, pointing forward to the ultimate redemption through Christ, who wore a crown of thorns as part of His sacrificial suffering.<p><b>it will yield for you</b><br />The phrase "it will yield for you" indicates a change in the relationship between humanity and the earth. Before the fall, the earth freely provided for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Now, the ground will produce not only sustenance but also challenges. The Hebrew verb "yield" (תַּצְמִיחַ, tatzmiach) suggests a forced production, implying that the earth's bounty will no longer come effortlessly. This reflects the broader biblical theme of labor and toil as part of the human condition post-fall, emphasizing the need for human effort and perseverance in a world marred by sin.<p><b>and you will eat</b><br />The act of eating, once a simple and joyful part of life in Eden, now becomes associated with labor and struggle. The Hebrew verb "eat" (אָכַל, akal) here underscores the necessity of work to obtain food. This shift highlights the reality that sustenance now requires effort and is not guaranteed without toil. It serves as a reminder of humanity's dependence on God for provision and the importance of gratitude for His continued sustenance despite the curse.<p><b>the plants of the field</b><br />The "plants of the field" (עֵשֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶה, esev hasadeh) contrast with the abundant and diverse fruits of the Garden of Eden. This phrase indicates a more limited and labor-intensive diet, reflecting the consequences of sin on human life. Historically, this shift from the garden's bounty to the field's produce marks the beginning of agriculture and the need for cultivation. Spiritually, it symbolizes the loss of innocence and the beginning of a life marked by effort and survival. Yet, it also points to God's continued provision and the hope of restoration, as the field, though cursed, still yields sustenance for humanity.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thorns also and thistles</span>. Terms occurring only here and in Hosed 10:8 = the similar expressions in <a href="/isaiah/5-6.htm">Isaiah 5:6</a>; <a href="/isaiah/7-23.htm">Isaiah 7:23</a> (Kalisch, Keil, Macdonald). <span class="cmt_word">Shall it bring forth to thee</span>. <span class="accented">I.e.</span> these shall be its spontaneous productions; if thou desirest anything else thou must labor for it. <span class="cmt_word">And thou shalt eat the herb of the field</span>. "Not the fruit of paradise" (Wordsworth), but "the lesser growths sown by his own toil" (Alford) - an intimation that henceforth man was "to be deprived of his former delicacies to such an extent as to be compelled to use, in addition, the herbs which had been designed only for brute animals;" and perhaps also "<span class="accented">a</span> consolation," as if promising that, notwithstanding the thorns and thistles, "it should still yield him sustenance" (Calvin). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/3-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Both thorns</span><br /><span class="heb">וְק֥וֹץ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·qō·wṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6975.htm">Strong's 6975: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thorn, thornbush</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and thistles</span><br /><span class="heb">וְדַרְדַּ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḏar·dar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1863.htm">Strong's 1863: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thistles</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it {will} yield</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּצְמִ֣יחַֽ</span> <span class="translit">(taṣ·mî·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6779.htm">Strong's 6779: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sprout, spring up</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you,</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֑ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(lāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">and you {will} eat</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאָכַלְתָּ֖</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·ḵal·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the plants</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֥שֶׂב</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·śeḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6212.htm">Strong's 6212: </a> </span><span class="str2">Herb, herbage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the field.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּׂדֶֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(haś·śā·ḏeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> </span><span class="str2">Field, land</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/3-18.htm">Genesis 3:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/3-18.htm">Genesis 3:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/3-18.htm">Genesis 3:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/3-18.htm">Genesis 3:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/3-18.htm">Genesis 3:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/3-18.htm">Genesis 3:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/3-18.htm">Genesis 3:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/3-18.htm">Genesis 3:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/3-18.htm">Genesis 3:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/3-18.htm">Genesis 3:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/3-18.htm">OT Law: Genesis 3:18 Thorns also and thistles will it bring (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/3-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 3:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 3:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/3-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 3:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 3:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>