What does "gall" mean in the Bible?

Definition and Language

In various passages of Scripture, “gall” refers to a bitter or poisonous substance. The English word “gall” stands in for different Hebrew and Greek terms that convey the idea of bitterness, venom, or a harsh-tasting substance. One key Hebrew term often translated as “gall” is רֹאשׁ (rosh), which can indicate a bitter plant or poison. In Greek, the term χολή (cholé) appears in the New Testament, also signifying something exceptionally bitter.

“Gall” can be literal (as a physical, toxic or unpleasant substance) or metaphorical (as a symbol of bitterness, sorrow, or divine judgment). Both uses appear across the breadth of Scripture.

Usage in the Old Testament

1. Bitter Plants and Poison

Several Old Testament verses connect “gall” with poisonous or bitter plants. For example, in Deuteronomy 29:18, Moses warns: “Make sure there is no root among you that bears such bitter poison…” The Hebrew word translated as “bitter poison” can be rendered “gall” and conveys a toxic bitterness that stands against faithfulness to God’s covenant.

2. Symbol of Judgment and Sorrow

Often, “gall” represents judgment or the bitter consequences of sin. Jeremiah 9:15 states, “Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will feed this people wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink.’” The term for “poisoned water” is synonymous with “gall,” painting a stark picture of bitterness due to the people’s disobedience. Similarly, Jeremiah 23:15 repeats this imagery, emphasizing how unfaithfulness leads to bitter ruin.

3. Personal Affliction

In Lamentations 3:19, the prophet laments, “Remember my affliction and wandering, the wormwood and the gall.” Here, “gall” underscores the intensity of suffering. It portrays a personal, wrenching bitterness—an apt description of deep affliction and grief.

4. Prophetic Warnings

In Deuteronomy 32:32–33, referencing the corrupt deeds of a faithless people, Scripture notes that their “wine is the venom of serpents, the deadly poison of cobras.” While “gall” is not explicitly used in all English translations of that passage, the concept of poisonous bitterness resonates with other uses of “gall.” These verses demonstrate how metaphorical bitterness underscores divine disapproval.

Usage in the New Testament

1. Bitter Substance Offered to Jesus

Matthew 27:34 records that at the crucifixion, “there they offered Him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it.” The Greek word here is χολή (cholé). This mixture was likely an analgesic or numbing agent meant to dull pain, but it was extremely bitter. Jesus’s refusal accentuates His willingness to endure the full measure of suffering.

2. Figurative Spiritual Imagery

While the precise term “gall” does not appear frequently outside the crucifixion narrative in the New Testament, the imagery of bitterness or poison is mirrored in concepts like the “root of bitterness” mentioned in Hebrews 12:15. Though the exact word “gall” is not used, the idea of a spiritual or moral poison is evident, reflecting similar themes from the Old Testament.

Symbolic and Theological Significance

1. Bitterness of Sin and Suffering

“Gall” highlights the seriousness of sin and its consequences. Throughout the Old Testament, “gall” is connected to sorrow, anguish, and judgment from God for unfaithfulness. In the New Testament, the offer of “gall” to Christ underscores His experience of humanity’s suffering. It serves to remind readers of the costliness of atonement and the depth of Christ’s sacrifice.

2. A Call to Turn from the Bitter to the Sweet

Scripture’s portrayal of “gall” encourages a contrast between the bitterness of disobedience and the goodness of aligning with truth. Just as “gall” stands for toxic bitterness, the Bible depicts righteous living as the “sweetness” of godliness (cf. Psalm 119:103). This contrast calls individuals away from poisonous influences and toward spiritual health.

Related Concepts

1. Wormwood

“Wormwood” is sometimes paired with “gall” (e.g., Jeremiah 9:15, Lamentations 3:19) and similarly signifies extreme bitterness and harsh judgment. These terms often appear together to reinforce the notion of dread consequences for disobedience.

2. Vinegar and Myrrh

Though vinegar and myrrh are distinct from gall, they share the motif of bitterness. In Psalm 69:21, a Messianic foreshadowing notes, “They poisoned My food with gall and gave Me vinegar to quench My thirst.” Both gall and vinegar epitomize bitterness and mock comfort—in the crucifixion narrative, these substances highlight the cruelty Christ endured.

3. Poison and Snakes

In certain texts, gall is equated with the venom of serpents (Deuteronomy 32:33). Snake venom also symbolizes the destructive power of evil and the harmful effects of rebellion. This thematic link underscores the dire warning Scripture attaches to anything described as “gall.”

Conclusion

“Gall” is a term laden with literal and metaphorical weight throughout the Bible. It signifies physical bitterness or poison, serves as a vivid picture of divine judgment for sin, and illustrates the spiritual anguish that can result from straying from what is true. When Jesus was offered “gall” at the crucifixion, it stood as a final expression of His willingness to taste humanity’s bitter suffering.

Ultimately, the Bible portrays “gall” as a potent reminder that rebellion against what is right leads to a bitter end, whereas following the path of truth leads away from spiritual poison and toward genuine wholeness.