from an unused root supposed to mean to curse; wormwood (regarded as poisonous, and therefore accursed); hemlock, wormwood.
Transliteration:laʻănâh
Pronunciation:lah-an-aw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term לַעֲנָה (laʻănâh), Strong's `{{H3939}}`, refers primarily to "wormwood," a plant characterized by its extreme bitterness. The etymological root, though unused, is supposed to mean "to curse," thereby imbuing the word with connotations of something accursed, poisonous, or deeply unpleasant. Its semantic range extends to "hemlock" in some contexts, reinforcing the idea of a toxic substance. Thus, *laʻănâh* embodies not only a specific botanical entity but also a powerful metaphor for intense bitterness, affliction, sorrow, and the bitter consequences of sin and divine judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word *laʻănâh* appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, yet each occurrence is highly significant, consistently conveying themes of judgment, suffering, and the bitter fruit of sin:
* **[[Deuteronomy 29:18]] (MT 29:17):** Here, *laʻănâh* is coupled with "gall" (רוֹשׁ, `{{H7219}}`) to describe an individual whose heart turns away from the Lord to serve other gods. Such a person is likened to a "root that beareth gall and wormwood," signifying that their apostasy will produce bitter, destructive outcomes for the community. It underscores the poisonous nature of idolatry.
* **[[Proverbs 5:4]]:** In a vivid warning against sexual immorality, the wisdom literature declares, "her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword." This verse highlights the painful, destructive, and ultimately sorrowful consequences that follow illicit relationships, contrasting sharply with any initial allure.
* **[[Jeremiah 9:15]] (MT 9:14):** God declares His judgment upon Judah for forsaking His law and following their own stubborn hearts and the Baals: "Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: 'Behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.'" This signifies a severe, divinely administered punishment, a bitter draught of suffering and judgment.
* **[[Jeremiah 23:15]]:** Similar to [[Jeremiah 9:15]], this verse specifically targets the false prophets of Jerusalem: "Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets: 'Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink; for from the prophets of Jerusalem profaneness has gone out into all the land.'" The false prophets, who should have led the people to righteousness, instead led them to a bitter end through their deceit.
* **[[Lamentations 3:15]]:** The suffering speaker, representing the afflicted nation of Judah, laments, "He has filled me with bitterness; He has made me drunk with wormwood." This verse expresses the overwhelming, soul-crushing sorrow and affliction experienced as a direct result of God's judgment.
* **[[Lamentations 3:19]]:** The plea continues, "Remember my affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall." Here, *laʻănâh* encapsulates the totality of the deep, painful suffering and desolation that has befallen the people.
* **[[Amos 5:7]]:** The prophet Amos condemns those who pervert justice: "You who turn justice to wormwood, and cast righteousness to the ground." This powerful indictment reveals how the very institutions meant to uphold righteousness are corrupted, producing bitter oppression instead of equitable judgment.
* **[[Amos 6:12]]:** In a parallel condemnation, Amos asks, "Do horses run on rocks? Does one plow there with oxen? Yet you have turned justice into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock [laʻănâh]." This rhetorical question underscores the unnatural and perverse nature of their actions, turning the expected good of justice into something poisonous and destructive.
Across these contexts, *laʻănâh* consistently functions as a symbol of the bitter, destructive consequences of sin, particularly idolatry, injustice, and moral corruption, often experienced as divine judgment or profound suffering.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term *laʻănâh* is frequently associated with other words and concepts that amplify its meaning of bitterness and judgment:
* **Gall (רוֹשׁ, `{{H7219}}`):** This word, often paired with *laʻănâh* (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 29:18]], [[Jeremiah 9:15]], [[Lamentations 3:19]]), refers to a poisonous or bitter plant, or venom. The pairing intensifies the imagery of destructive bitterness and toxicity.
* **Bitterness (מָרַר, `{{H4846}}` and related forms):** The root *marar* signifies "to be bitter," "to cause bitterness," or "bitter sorrow." *Laʻănâh* is a concrete manifestation of this abstract concept of bitterness.
* **Poison/Venom:** The inherent toxicity of wormwood and its association with gall link it to the destructive power of poison, whether literal or metaphorical.
* **Curse:** The proposed etymological link to a root meaning "to curse" aligns with the idea that wormwood represents something accursed, bringing about negative consequences.
* **Sin and Its Consequences:** *Laʻănâh* serves as a powerful metaphor for the inevitable, bitter harvest reaped from acts of rebellion against God, including idolatry, injustice, and moral depravity.
* **Divine Judgment:** In prophetic literature, God is often depicted as administering *laʻănâh* as a form of righteous retribution for sin.
* **Affliction and Sorrow:** In contexts like Lamentations, *laʻănâh* describes the deep, personal and national suffering experienced during times of divine discipline.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *laʻănâh* is profound, acting as a potent symbol within the biblical narrative:
* **The Inevitability of Judgment:** *Laʻănâh* underscores the principle of divine justice: sin carries inherent, bitter consequences. God, in His righteousness, will not allow unrepentant sin to go unpunished. The "wormwood" is the bitter cup of judgment that those who forsake Him must drink.
* **The Deceptive Nature of Sin:** While sin may offer initial pleasure or perceived gain, *laʻănâh* reveals its true, bitter end. It exposes the destructive reality behind the allure of idolatry, injustice, and immorality, demonstrating that what appears sweet ultimately leads to sorrow and ruin ([[Proverbs 5:4]]).
* **Prophetic Warning and Call to Repentance:** The prophetic use of *laʻănâh* serves as a stark warning to Israel and Judah, urging them to turn from their wicked ways. It highlights the severity of God's displeasure and the dire implications of covenant infidelity.
* **The Experience of Suffering:** In books like Lamentations, *laʻănâh* gives voice to the profound pain and desolation experienced by God's people under discipline. It acknowledges the legitimate bitterness of suffering, even when it is a consequence of sin.
* **Contrast with God's Goodness:** The bitterness of wormwood stands in stark contrast to the goodness and sweetness of God's law, His covenant blessings, and the life found in obedience. When humanity chooses to pervert justice or abandon the Lord, they exchange the sweetness of righteousness for the bitterness of their own making.
### Summary
*Laʻănâh* (`{{H3939}}`), or "wormwood," is a powerful biblical symbol of profound bitterness, affliction, and the severe consequences of sin. Rooted in a perceived connection to a "curse," its consistent usage across the Old Testament highlights the destructive nature of idolatry, injustice, and moral corruption. Often paired with "gall" (`{{H7219}}`), it represents the bitter cup of divine judgment administered by God upon those who forsake His ways. Theologically, *laʻănâh* serves as a stark reminder of the inevitability of judgment, the deceptive and ultimately destructive nature of sin, and the deep suffering that results from rebellion against God's righteous standards. It underscores the truth that choosing a path contrary to the Lord's will ultimately yields a harvest of sorrow and desolation.
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