Gall, often associated with bitterness and suffering, is a term used in the Bible to describe a bitter substance. It is frequently mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, symbolizing affliction, sorrow, and the bitterness of sin. The term "gall" is derived from the Hebrew word "rosh" and the Greek word "chole," both of which convey the idea of something intensely bitter.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, gall is often used metaphorically to describe the bitterness of life and the consequences of sin. In Deuteronomy 29:18 , Moses warns the Israelites against idolatry, saying, "Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you bearing poisonous and bitter fruit." Here, the "poisonous and bitter fruit" is understood to be gall, symbolizing the spiritual corruption and bitterness that result from turning away from God.

The prophet Jeremiah also uses the imagery of gall to describe the suffering and judgment that come upon those who forsake the Lord. In Jeremiah 8:14 , he writes, "Why are we sitting here? Gather together; let us flee to the fortified cities and perish there! For the LORD our God has doomed us. He has given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against Him." The "poisoned water" is a metaphor for the bitter consequences of the people's rebellion against God.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, gall is most notably mentioned in the context of Jesus' crucifixion. In Matthew 27:34 , it is recorded, "There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it." This act fulfilled the prophecy found in Psalm 69:21 , "They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst." The offering of gall to Jesus is symbolic of the bitterness and suffering He endured on behalf of humanity.

The use of gall in this context highlights the depth of Christ's sacrifice. By refusing the gall, Jesus chose to fully experience the suffering of the cross without any numbing of the pain, underscoring His willingness to bear the full weight of humanity's sin.

Symbolism and Theological Significance

Gall, as a bitter herb, serves as a powerful symbol throughout Scripture. It represents the bitterness of sin and the suffering that results from turning away from God. In the life of Jesus, gall underscores the depth of His suffering and His role as the sacrificial Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.

Theologically, gall reminds believers of the cost of sin and the profound love of Christ, who endured the ultimate bitterness on the cross. It calls Christians to reflect on their own lives, encouraging them to turn away from sin and embrace the sweetness of salvation offered through Jesus Christ.Deuteronomy 29:18
Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turns away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that bears gall and wormwood;
Nave's Topical Index

5521. chole -- gall (a bitter herb)
... gall (a bitter herb). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: chole Phonetic
Spelling: (khol-ay') Short Definition: gall, bitter herbs Definition: gall ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5521.htm - 6k7219. rosh -- (bitter and poisonous herb) venom
... Word Origin from rosh Definition (bitter and poisonous herb) venom NASB Word Usage
bitterness (2), gall (1), poison (4), poisoned (2), poisonous (2), poisonous ...
/hebrew/7219.htm - 6k

On Psalm Lxxvii. Or Lxxviii.
... who are to "eat the grape of gall, and drink ... it is said, that it eats up every herb,
and all ... anger, wrath, and tribulation, he intended bitter punishments; for ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on psalm lxxvii or lxxviii.htm

Psalm LXIX.
... world will admire the greatness of the herb, of which herb the seed ... we pass,
nevertheless the very passage is somewhat bitter, and hath the gall which the ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxix.htm

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... vine of Sodom and planting of Gomorrha to eat bitter grapes and gather clusters
of gall; and to ... be sown, nor shall it produce, nor shall any herb spring up ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

The Nature of Spiritual Hunger
... a twofold sauce provokes holy appetite: first, the bitter herbs' of ... He that tastes
gall and vinegar in sin hungers ... The mandrakes are an herb of a very strong ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/13 the nature of spiritual.htm

A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
... which she has not compounded; this herb and the ... mouth with vinegar, and makes our
drink gall and wormwood ... gate; but when earth's water becomes bitter like the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a mystery saints sorrowing and.htm

Concerning Persecution
... But instead of this we give them gall and vinegar to ... bee gathers the sweetest honey
from the bitterest herb. A bitter medicine often gives strength to the weary ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/21 concerning persecution.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... Cranes, storks, eagle's gall, hawk's blood, the ostrich, frogs, chameleons, swallow's ...
both naturalists and physicians, who assign to every herb, every stone ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... How did the prophets, to a circumstance, prophesy of Christ's birth, his death,
his burial, of their giving him gall and vinegar, of their parting his raiment ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

Why did Jesus say, “I thirst,” from the cross? | GotQuestions.org

Miscellaneous Bible Questions (All) | GotQuestions.org

Topical: Biblical Culture ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Gall: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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