### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term *ápsinthos* (`{{G894}}`) refers literally to "wormwood," a plant (Artemisia absinthium) renowned for its extreme bitterness. Its derivation is noted as uncertain, yet its semantic range is clearly established within biblical literature. Beyond its botanical identity, *ápsinthos* primarily functions as a powerful metaphor for intense bitterness, sorrow, calamity, and divine judgment. The taste of wormwood is so profoundly unpleasant that it became a byword for anything exceedingly bitter or poisonous. This figurative usage extends to the consequences of sin and apostasy, representing the bitter fruit of disobedience and the severe nature of God's judicial actions. It embodies a sensory experience of repulsion and distress, translating directly into spiritual and existential anguish.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *ápsinthos* (`{{G894}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, but its singular occurrence carries profound weight within the apocalyptic vision of Revelation:
* [[Revelation 8:11]]: "The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the waters, because they were made bitter."
This verse describes the consequence of the third trumpet judgment. A great star, burning like a torch, falls from heaven onto a third of the rivers and springs of water. The impact of this celestial body transforms the fresh water sources into "wormwood," rendering them undrinkable and deadly. The widespread death resulting from the bitter waters underscores the severity and destructive power of this divine judgment. The symbol of "Wormwood" in this context is not merely a natural phenomenon but a direct agent of divine wrath, bringing about profound suffering and death as a consequence of humanity's sin. The cosmic scale of the event—affecting a third of the waters—highlights the pervasive nature of the impending judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "wormwood" as a symbol of bitterness and calamity has deep roots in the Old Testament, where the Hebrew term *la'anah* (`{{H3938}}`) is frequently used.
* [[Deuteronomy 29:18]]: Warns against apostasy, describing its fruit as "gall and wormwood," signifying poisonous bitterness.
* [[Jeremiah 9:15]]: God declares He will feed His people "wormwood" and "poisonous water" due to their idolatry.
* [[Lamentations 3:15]], [[Lamentations 3:19]]: The prophet laments being filled with "wormwood" and "gall" by God, expressing deep affliction and suffering.
* [[Amos 5:7]], [[Amos 6:12]]: Denounces those who turn justice into "wormwood," highlighting the perversion of righteousness into something bitter and destructive.
Often, *la'anah* (wormwood) is paired with *ro'sh* (`{{H7219}}`, "gall" or "poisonous herb"), emphasizing the extreme and deadly nature of the bitterness. These Old Testament parallels establish a consistent biblical motif: wormwood is a potent symbol of the bitter consequences of sin, idolatry, and rebellion against God, often manifested as divine judgment, suffering, and death.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *ápsinthos* (`{{G894}}`) in Revelation is multi-layered. First, it powerfully underscores the reality and severity of divine judgment. The transformation of life-giving water into deadly "wormwood" illustrates God's righteous wrath against a world steeped in rebellion. It is a tangible manifestation of the bitter fruit of sin, where humanity reaps the destructive consequences of its choices. Second, it serves as a stark warning. The judgment of "Wormwood" is not arbitrary but a direct response to human unrighteousness, calling for repentance. Third, it highlights God's absolute sovereignty over creation and history; even cosmic events are instruments in His hand to bring about His purposes. The bitterness of wormwood stands in stark contrast to the "living water" that Christ offers ([[John 4:10-14]], [[Revelation 21:6]], [[Revelation 22:1]]), emphasizing the choice between life and death, blessing and curse. The judgment associated with *ápsinthos* reveals the profound spiritual corruption that necessitates such a severe divine response, ultimately pointing to the holiness of God who cannot tolerate sin.
### Summary
The Greek term *ápsinthos* (`{{G894}}`), or "wormwood," extends beyond its literal botanical meaning to serve as a potent biblical symbol of extreme bitterness, calamity, and divine judgment. While appearing only once in the New Testament in [[Revelation 8:11]], its impact is profound, describing a cosmic event where a third of the world's fresh waters are poisoned, leading to widespread death. This usage aligns with the extensive Old Testament imagery of *la'anah* (`{{H3938}}`), consistently linking wormwood to the bitter consequences of sin, apostasy, and God's righteous wrath. Theologically, *ápsinthos* serves as a solemn reminder of the severity of divine judgment, the destructive nature of sin, and God's sovereign control over all things. It stands as a stark warning, contrasting the deadly bitterness of rebellion with the life-giving grace offered by God.
TRV