4088. pikria

Lexicon

pikria: Bitterness

Original Word: πικρία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: pikria
Pronunciation: pik-ree'-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (pik-ree'-ah)
Definition: Bitterness
Meaning: bitterness, harshness, hence met: an embittered (resentful) spirit.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

bitterness.

From pikros; acridity (especially poison), literally or figuratively -- bitterness.

see GREEK pikros

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from pikros
Definition
bitterness
NASB Translation
bitterness (4).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4088: πικρία

πικρία, πικρίας, ἡ (πικρός), bitterness: χολή πικρίας, equivalent to χολή πικρά (Winers Grammar, 34, 3 b.; Buttmann, § 132, 10), bitter gall, equivalent to extreme wickedness, Acts 8:23; ῤίζα πικρίας (references as above), a bitter root, and so producing bitter fruit, Hebrews 12:15 (from Deuteronomy 29:18, the Alex. manuscript), cf. Bleek at the passage; metaphorically, bitterness, i. e. bitter hatred, Ephesians 4:31; of speech, Romans 3:14 after Psalm 9:28 (). (In various uses in the Sept. (Demosthenes, Aristotle), Theophrastus, Polybius, Plutarch, others.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word πικρός (pikros), meaning "bitter."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Hebrew 4751: מָרָה (marah) • meaning "bitter" or "bitterness."
• Strong's Hebrew 4844: מְרוֹרָה (merorah) • meaning "bitterness" or "bitter thing."

These Hebrew terms similarly convey the concept of bitterness, often used in the Old Testament to describe both literal and figurative bitterness, aligning with the New Testament usage of πικρία.

Usage: The term πικρία is used in the New Testament to describe a condition of bitterness, often in a metaphorical sense, referring to a resentful or harsh attitude. It appears in contexts that warn against harboring such negative emotions.

Context: The Greek term πικρία (pikríā) is used in the New Testament to convey the concept of bitterness, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. It is often associated with a deep-seated resentment or harshness that can affect one's spiritual and relational well-being. The term appears in several key passages, each highlighting the destructive nature of bitterness and the importance of avoiding it.

In Romans 3:14, πικρία is used to describe the sinful condition of humanity, stating, "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." This passage underscores the pervasive nature of sin and its manifestation through bitter speech.

Ephesians 4:31 provides a direct exhortation to believers: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice." Here, πικρία is listed among other negative traits that Christians are urged to abandon, emphasizing the need for a transformed heart and mind.

Hebrews 12:15 warns against allowing bitterness to take root, stating, "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many." This metaphor of a "root of bitterness" suggests that such attitudes can grow and spread, leading to spiritual and communal harm.

The use of πικρία in these passages highlights the biblical teaching that bitterness is incompatible with the Christian life. It calls for vigilance in maintaining a heart free from resentment and encourages believers to pursue peace and forgiveness.

Forms and Transliterations

πικρια πικρία πικρίαις πικρίαν πικριας πικρίας πικρίδων πικριών pikria pikría pikrias pikrías

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 8:23 N-GFS
GRK: γὰρ χολὴν πικρίας καὶ σύνδεσμον
NAS: that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage
KJV: the gall of bitterness, and
INT: indeed a gall of bitterness and a bond

Romans 3:14 N-GFS
GRK: ἀρᾶς καὶ πικρίας γέμει
NAS: IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS;
KJV: of cursing and bitterness:
INT: of cursing and of bitterness is full

Ephesians 4:31 N-NFS
GRK: πᾶσα πικρία καὶ θυμὸς
NAS: Let all bitterness and wrath and anger
KJV: Let all bitterness, and wrath,
INT: All bitterness and anger

Hebrews 12:15 N-GFS
GRK: τις ῥίζα πικρίας ἄνω φύουσα
NAS: root of bitterness springing
KJV: any root of bitterness springing up
INT: any root of bitterness up springing

Strong's Greek 4088
4 Occurrences

πικρία — 1 Occ.
πικρίας — 3 Occ.