Word Study for G4087 (πικραίνω)

pikraínō /pik-rah'-ee-no/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom πικρός

Meaningto embitter (literally or figuratively)

KJV usagebe (make) bitter.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of pikraínō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word pikraínō, represented by G4087, is used to embitter, both literally and figuratively. According to its base definition, it means to be or make bitter. It appears 6 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible, highlighting its specific applications.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G4087 is applied in two distinct ways: figuratively in relationships and literally in prophetic visions. In Paul's epistle to the Colossians, it serves as a direct command for husbands G435 to love their wives and not be bitter against them Colossians 3:19. In the book of Revelation, the term is used literally. First, it describes a catastrophic judgment where a star named Wormwood turns a third of the waters fatally bitter Revelation 8:11. It is also used to describe the dual experience of the apostle John, who eats a little book that will make his belly bitter Revelation 10:9 and confirms that after he ate it, his belly was bitter Revelation 10:10.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of G4087 through contrast and context:

G1099 glykýs (sweet): This word provides a direct contrast to bitterness. In John's vision, the little book is sweet as honey in his mouth but makes his belly bitter upon being eaten Revelation 10:9.
G894 ápsinthos (wormwood): This term is the agent of bitterness in an apocalyptic judgment. A star called Wormwood is the cause of the waters being made bitter Revelation 8:11.
G25 agapáō (to love): Used in the same command as G4087, it establishes love as the proper disposition for husbands, in direct opposition to being bitter Colossians 3:19.
G435 anḗr (husband, man): This word identifies who is being commanded not to be bitter, placing the figurative use of G4087 squarely within the context of marital relationships Colossians 3:19.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G4087 is focused on its role in defining sin, judgment, and the nature of divine revelation.

Relational Corruption: The command in Colossians 3:19 frames bitterness not just as an emotion but as a sinful action to be avoided in a covenant relationship, setting it as an antonym to Christ-like love G25.
Instrument of Judgment: In Revelation, bitterness becomes a literal weapon of divine judgment. The waters are "made bitter," leading to death and illustrating how God can use natural elements to execute judgment Revelation 8:11.
The Experience of Prophecy: The sweet taste and bitter effect of the little book symbolize the nature of receiving God's word. While the message itself may be sweet or glorious, its implications and the prophet's role in delivering it can be a difficult and painful burden Revelation 10:10.

Summary

In summary, G4087 is a powerful word that conveys a state of being corrupted or painful. Whether describing the literal and deadly bitterness of poisoned waters Revelation 8:11 or the figurative, relational bitterness forbidden in marriage Colossians 3:19, it consistently points to something harmful and undesirable. Its usage illustrates how a single concept can span from a tangible sensation to a profound spiritual and relational condition.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Future Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Passive Imperative 2nd Plural 1×

Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 4 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Revelation (3 verses); never once in the other 25.

Colossians

Revelation

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.