Bitterness

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

( πικρία)

‘Bitter’ means lit. ^{[Note: literally, literature.]} ‘biting’ (A. S. ^{[Note: Anglo-Saxon.]} bîtan , ‘to bite’), and πικρός, ‘sharp’ (from the same root as pungo , ‘pike,’ ‘peak’), τὸ πικρόν, as that which has an acrid, pungent taste, is opposed to τὸ γλυκύ ( James 3:11). In Septuagint πικρία is often used to translate רֹאשׁ, a bitter and poisonous plant, which is always used figuratively. Moses says that the man or woman, family or tribe, that turns from Jahweh will be ‘a root that beareth gall and wormwood’ ( ῥίζα ἄνω φύουσα ἐν χολῇ καὶ πικρίᾳ, Deuteronomy 29:18). There is an echo of this saying in Hebrews 12:15, where any member of the Church who introduces wrong doctrines or practices, and so leads others astray, becomes a ‘root of bitterness springing up’ ( ῥίζα πικρίας ἄνω φύουσα); and there may be another echo of it in Acts 8:23 (Revised Version margin), where Peter predicts that Simon Magus will ‘become gall (or a gall root) of bitterness’ ( εἰς χολὴν πικρίας ὁρῶ σε ὄντα) by his evil influence over others, if he remains as he now is. But χολὴν πικρίας may be a genitive of apposition and the Apostle may mean that Simon is even now ‘in Bitterkeit, Bosheit, Feindseligkeit, wie in Galle’ (H. J. Holtzmann, Apostelgeschichte ³ , 1901, ad loc. ). In Romans 3:14 bitterness of speech is joined with cursing, and in Ephesians 4:31 πικρία is an inward disposition (cf. ζῆλον πικρόν, James 3:14) which all Christians are to put away in order that they may be ‘kind one to another, tender-hearted.’

James Strahan.

King James Dictionary

BIT'TERNESS, n. from bitter. A bitter taste or rather a quality in things which excites a biting disagreeable sensation in the tongue.

1. In a figurative sense, extreme enmity, grudge, hatred or rather an excessive degree or implacableness of passions and emotions as the bitterness of anger. Ephesians 4

2. Sharpness severity of temper.

3. Keenness of reproach piquancy biting sarcasm.

4. Keen sorrow painful affliction vexation deep distress of mind.

Hannah was in bitterness of soul. 1 Samuel 1; Job 7

In the gall of bitterness, in a state of extreme impiety or enmity to God. Acts 8

Root of bitterness, a dangerous error, or schism, tending to draw persons to apostasy. Hebrews 12

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

bit´ẽr -ness . See Bitter .

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

( Exodus 1:14; Ruth 1:20; Jeremiah 9:15) is symbolical of affliction, misery, and servitude. It was for this reason that, in the celebration of the Passover, the servitude of the Israelites in Egypt was typically represented by bitter herbs (see below). On the day of bitterness in Amos 8:10, comp. Tibullus, ii, 4, 11-" Nunc et amara dies, et noctis amarior umbra est." In Habakkuk 1:6, the Chaldeans are called " that bitter and swift nation," which Schultens illustrates by remarking that the root merer in Arabic (answering to the Hebrew word for bitter) is usually applied to strength and courage. The gall of bitterness ( Acts 8:23) describes a state of extreme wickedness, highly offensive to God and hurtful to others. A root of bitterness ( Hebrews 13:15) expresses a wicked or scandalous person, or any dangerous sin leading to apostasy (Wemyss's Clavis Symbolica, etc.). The "waters made bitter" ( Revelation 8:11) is a symbol of severe political or providential events. (See Wormwood). On the bitter waters of jealousy, or what may be termed the ordeal oath ( Numbers 5:11-24), (See Adultery) (trial of). On the "bitter clusters" of Sodom ( Deuteronomy 32:32), (See Apple); (See Hemlock).