Topical Encyclopedia Wormwood, a term derived from the Hebrew word "la'anah" and the Greek "apsinthos," is frequently used in the Bible as a symbol of bitterness, sorrow, and divine judgment. The plant itself, known for its intensely bitter taste, serves as a fitting metaphor for the consequences of sin and the severity of God's retribution.In the Old Testament, wormwood is often associated with the consequences of idolatry and unfaithfulness to God. In Deuteronomy 29:18 , Moses warns the Israelites against turning away from the Lord, cautioning that such apostasy would lead to a "root bearing poisonous fruit and wormwood." Here, wormwood symbolizes the bitter outcome of forsaking the covenant with God, emphasizing the spiritual and moral decay that results from idolatry. The prophet Jeremiah also employs the imagery of wormwood to convey the bitterness of divine judgment. In Jeremiah 9:15 , God declares, "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.'" This passage underscores the severity of God's punishment for the people's persistent disobedience and idolatry, illustrating the bitter consequences of their actions. In the New Testament, the symbolism of wormwood is prominently featured in the Book of Revelation. Revelation 8:10-11 describes the third trumpet judgment: "Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven and landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter like wormwood oil, and many people died from the bitter waters." Here, wormwood represents a catastrophic judgment upon the earth, highlighting the destructive power of God's wrath against a sinful world. Throughout Scripture, wormwood serves as a powerful symbol of the bitterness and sorrow that accompany sin and divine judgment. It is a vivid reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the inevitable suffering that follows. The use of wormwood in biblical literature underscores the importance of faithfulness to God and the dire repercussions of spiritual infidelity. Nave's Topical Index Revelation 8:11And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. Nave's Topical Index Library Jesus Only The Second vision "On Earth" The Prophet Amos. A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm Resources What is the meaning of wormwood in Revelation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of bitter water in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is Nibiru? | GotQuestions.org Wormwood: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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