Wormwood in the Bible: What Does It Really Mean?

Although wormwood is generally known as a medicinal herb, what does it really mean in the Bible? It’s not uncommon to come across unusual words while studying the scripture, and wormwood is one of them. While this term is considered the name of a plant, it is used figuratively a few times in the Bible. In this article, we will discuss the biblical meaning of wormwood and what it symbolizes. 

Overview of the Wormwood Plant

The wormwood plant, which belongs to the genus Artemisia, is a well-known bitter herb that is mostly cultivated in the Middle East. It has a bitter taste and a strong odor and is one of the ingredients in the alcoholic drink absinthe. Additionally, the leaves and stems of the wormwood plants are often used in the preparation of herbal medicine for the treatment of several ailments. 

Research shows that the properties in the species of this plant may aid digestion, stimulate appetite, prevent liver damage, improve immunity, and relieve pain. While the wormwood plant is not poisonous, it should be used moderately. It contains thujone, a compound that can be poisonous when taken in excess quantities. 

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Meaning of Wormwood in the Bible

The plant name wormwood appears nine times throughout the Bible. This term comes from the Hebrew word “la’anah” and the Greek word “apsinthos,” which both translate to “bitterness.”

In biblical texts, wormwood is considered a bitter substance that relates to sorrow, calamity, suffering, judgment, affliction, spiritual poison, and death. It is commonly used figuratively to symbolize the sorrow that comes from the punishment for sin and God’s judgment. 

Furthermore, it carries a powerful message that reminds us of the repercussions of disobedience to divine instructions. Believers must determine to be faithful to God’s commands and avoid sinful behaviors, which may lead to their destruction. 

Where is Wormwood Mentioned in the Bible?

The term wormwood appears eight times in the Old Testament of the Bible and once in the New Testament. Each mention of this word in the scriptures is associated with bitterness, sorrow, judgment, and death. 

Deuteronomy

“So that there may not be among you man or woman or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations, and that there may not be among you a root bearing bitterness or wormwood.” (Deuteronomy 29:18)

This verse of the scripture is a warning from God to the people of Israel. The Lord warns each individual and family against idolatry, as it can affect the inhabitants of the land. The passage talks about the possibility of a single unbelieving person or family leading others away from God and to their destruction, just like how a poisonous root can destroy the whole plant. 

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Amos 

“For those [shall be consumed] who turn justice into wormwood (bitterness) And cast righteousness down to the earth.” (Amos 5:7)

“Do horses run on rocks? Do men plow rocks with oxen? [Of course not!] Yet you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood (bitterness).” (Amos 6:12)

In these verses of the Bible, the prophet Amos describes a society where there’s no justice and righteousness, which ultimately results in serious consequences. He condemns those who disregard righteous judgment and pervert justice to oppress the powerless. 

Jeremiah

“Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, “behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood and give them bitter and poisonous water to drink.” (Jeremiah 9:15)

“Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts in regard to the prophets, ‘Behold, I am going to feed them [the bitterness of] wormwood And make them drink the poisonous water [of gall], For from the [counterfeit] prophets of Jerusalem profaneness and ungodliness have spread into all the land.” (Jeremiah 23:15)

Here, the prophet Jeremiah warns the Israelites of God’s judgment because of their disobedience and idol worship.

Considering the intense bitterness of wormwood, the punishment for their sins is being portrayed as a painful and destructive one. 

Lamentations

“He has filled me with bitterness; He has made me drink wormwood.” (Lamentations 3:15)

“Remember my affliction and roaming, The wormwood and the gall.” (Lamentations 3:19)

In this passage of the Bible, the prophet Jeremiah expresses his sorrow concerning the judgment upon Jerusalem. He compares the pain and suffering he experienced to the bitterness of wormwood and gall. 

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Proverbs

“For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.” (Proverbs 5:3-4)

In these verses from the book of proverbs, the Bible warns against falling into the trap of an adulterous woman.

Outwardly, she may look seductive, harmless, and perfect. However, engaging with such a woman can lead to pain and destruction, which is compared to the bitterness of wormwood. 

Revelation

“Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water because it was made bitter.” (Revelation 8:10-11)

Interestingly, the term wormwood only appears once in the New testament, specifically in the book of Revelation. In the wormwood prophecy, we learn of the catastrophic event that will take place on the last days. This event is the third trumpet judgment of the seven trumpet judgments described in Revelation 8:6-15. 

According to these verses of the scripture, the prophecy reveals that at the sound of the first trumpet, hail and fire mixed with blood will descend on earth, destroying one-third of the earth.

At the sound of the second trumpet, an object similar to a huge mountain will drop into the sea, causing the death of a third of the living creatures in the sea and the destruction of a third part of ships. 

When the third angel sounds his trumpet, the star Wormwood will fall from the sky on one-third of the waters of the earth. As a result, a third part of the waters will become bitter and the people who drink from it will die, bringing bitter calamity upon the inhabitants of the earth.

Thereafter, the fourth angel will sound his trumpet, causing a third of the sun, a third of the moon and a third of the stars to become dark. 

What Can We Learn from the Wormwood Prophecy?

Similar to the other prophecies in the book of Revelation, the wormwood star prophecy is a call to repentance.

From this book of the Bible, we learn that different disastrous events will take place during the end times. Nevertheless, those who are faithful and obedient to God will be safe from the impending calamity. 

God’s final judgment on sinners remains constant, and his reward of eternal life for those who hold on to him remains unchanging as well. So all believers in Christ must be steadfast in faith and continually avoid sinful behaviors and temptations. 

In the modern world today, the prophecies of Jesus Christ in Matthew 24 are being fulfilled as the days go by. There are false prophets everywhere, even in the house of God, deceiving the brethren. Nations are beginning to rise up against one another and kingdoms are doing the same. 

Additionally, we constantly hear of wars and rumors of wars in many parts of the world. And because sin is rampant everywhere, the love of many Christians for God and the things of the kingdom has become cold. 

Believers who devoted their time to God when they first accepted Jesus Christ into their lives have become lukewarm in faith. However, Jesus gave the assurance that the one who endures to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:13). God watches over His word to perform, and so we must take our walk with Him seriously. 

Final Thoughts

Wormwood in the Bible symbolizes calamity, affliction, sorrow, suffering, and the judgment that comes as a result of disobedience to God’s commands.

Right from earth, everyone will begin to receive the reward of their deeds, whether good or bad. Therefore, we must determine to live a life of obedience and total submission to the will of God.

As a child of God, endeavor to spread the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to unbelievers. Telling the people of the world about Christ is one of the ways to show love to them. 

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Kennie Oguntoyinbo is a freelance content writer, editor and proofreader with over 4 years of experience. She is highly skilled in creating captivating and informative content across the Christian, relationship, and parenting niches. With a deep love for Christian-related articles, she writes content that inspires the readers, combining biblical lessons with practical knowledge. Whether writing devotional blogs, relationship advice, or family-focused articles, she aims to glorify God while connecting with readers through relatable, encouraging, faith-driven articles. You can follow Kennie on LinkedIn or Instagram.

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