Wormwood is mentioned several times in the Bible, but its most significant mention is in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 8:10-11, John sees a great star fall from heaven, burning like a torch. It falls on a third of the rivers and springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters become wormwood, and many people die from the bitter water.
So what does this mean? Here are some key points about the symbolism of wormwood in Revelation:
Wormwood Represents Bitter Judgment
The Greek word for wormwood is apsinthos. Wormwood is a bitter herb, which is why the waters that were struck by the star Wormwood became bitter and poisonous. Throughout the Bible, wormwood is associated with bitterness, sorrow, and judgment (Jeremiah 9:15, 23:15; Amos 5:7; Lamentations 3:15,19). So when this star called Wormwood makes the waters bitter, it represents God’s bitter judgment being poured out.
Wormwood Pollutes the Waters
When Wormwood falls into the rivers and springs, it poisons and pollutes the waters. This has a couple implications. First, water represents the sustenance and life of people, so the poisoning of the waters represents famine, suffering, and death coming upon people as part of God’s judgment. Secondly, water also has spiritual significance in Scripture as a symbol of the Holy Spirit and God’s blessing. The fact that the waters are poisoned and become bitter indicates that God’s spiritual blessings are being removed and replaced with bitterness and sorrow.
Wormwood Brings Death
The passage in Revelation says that many people died from drinking the bitter, poisoned waters. Wormwood itself is not directly fatal to humans, but the symbolism suggests that exposure to God’s unmediated wrath brings death. When the full cup of God’s wrath is poured out without dilution, it overwhelms and destroys people. Wormwood represents undiluted bitterness, sorrow, and death.
Wormwood May Refer to a Celestial Body
Since John sees Wormwood falling from heaven as a “great star” that burns like a torch, some interpreters have speculated that Wormwood is a celestial body – perhaps an asteroid or comet. If so, then its collision with the earth would pollute the waters and bring catastrophic destruction. However, apocalyptic literature is highly symbolic, so Wormwood may not refer to an actual celestial body. But the image of the star Wormwood falling conjures up the idea of a bitter and fiery judgment being poured out “from above.”
Wormwood Comes from God
Wormwood originates from heaven itself. This indicates that the bitterness and death it brings ultimately come from the hand of God. Even though its effects are tragic and devastating, Wormwood is part of God’s unfolding plan. The judgments associated with Wormwood, though difficult, serve God’s greater purpose – just as the ten plagues God sent on Egypt demonstrated God’s power and authority. Wormwood testifies to God’s sovereignty.
Wormwood is Limited in Impact
The fact that only a third of the waters become wormwood indicates that this judgment is limited in scope. Though severe, it is measured in its effect. God always retains control and shows restraint in administering judgment. There is purpose in the pain. Wormwood has boundaries set by a compassionate God who does not desire to overwhelm people with bitterness, but to turn their hearts to repentance through difficult but measured discipline.
Wormwood Warns People to Repent
Thirteen times in the book of Revelation, God warns of coming judgments with the purpose that people would see His hand at work and turn to Him in repentance. Wormwood is one of these warnings and calls to embrace God’s mercy and find shelter from His coming wrath. It’s an invitation to repent before it’s too late. Though Wormwood brings a bitter cup, God provides the sweet remedy of eternal life in Christ for all who turn to Him.
So in summary, wormwood in Revelation refers to the bitterness of God’s judgment on a rebellious world. But this bitter plant serves the ultimate purpose of steering people toward the cross. In His mercy, God disciplines those He loves and calls people everywhere to repent of sin and find salvation in Jesus Christ.
Other Biblical Mentions of Wormwood
While Revelation contains the most vivid symbolic depiction of wormwood, this bitter plant appears in a few other passages:
Deuteronomy 29:18
Moses warns the Israelites against idolatry, lest there be among them a “root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit.” This metaphorical root is “wormwood.” The bitterness of wormwood illustrates the end result of forsaking God – bitterness and judgment.
Proverbs 5:3-4
Here, wormwood describes the bitter “aftertaste” of sexual immorality. The pleasures of sin are fleeting, while the bitterness and pain of sin’s consequences endure. Wormwood illustrates the emptiness of illicit sensual pleasure.
Jeremiah 9:15
God says he will make the people of Jerusalem “drink wormwood” and give them “poisoned water to drink.” This refers to the upcoming Babylonian invasion as a bitter judgment from God because of Judah’s idolatry.
Jeremiah 23:15
God says he will make the false prophets of Jerusalem “eat wormwood” and “drink poisoned water.” Wormwood again represents the bitterness of coming judgment.
Lamentations 3:15, 19
Jeremiah laments that God has filled him with “bitterness” and made him “drink wormwood.” He is experiencing bitter affliction because of Jerusalem’s destruction. Wormwood represents the bitterness of God’s chastening.
Amos 5:7
Amos pronounces coming judgment on Israel for injustice. He says God has “turned justice into wormwood.” Wormwood here symbolizes the perversion of righteousness into bitter judgment.
So wormwood consistently represents bitterness, sorrow, and judgment throughout Scripture. But God’s heart is always to restore and redeem what is bitter. Wormwood reminds us to flee into the arms of a loving, merciful Savior who takes all our bitterness and gives us the sweet wine of salvation in its place.
Biblical Word Study on Wormwood
Examining the original words behind “wormwood” in the biblical languages can provide more insight into its meaning:
Hebrew Words
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word translated “wormwood” is la’anah, meaning “curse” or “wretchedness.” It comes from a root meaning “to curse” or “to be bitter.” La’anah refers to a dark green, leafy shrub with a piercing, bitter taste. The notion of cursing, bitterness, and regret runs through all its uses.
Related words like la’nah and marar also convey the sense of grief, sorrow, and mourning. Overall, the theme emerges of a plant that epitomizes hardship, regret, and grief – concepts associated with the bitterness of judgment.
Greek Word
In the New Testament, “wormwood” comes from the Greek word apsinthos. This refers to a bitter plant used in making absinthe, a potent, toxic liquor prone to abuse. Apsinthos means “undiluted wine” and conveys the idea of bitter distress.
So both the Hebrew and Greek words behind “wormwood” express concepts like bitterness, grief, toxicity, and regret – themes that align with the symbolism of judgment in Revelation.
The Bitterness of Wormwood
What makes wormwood characteristically bitter? The answer lies in its chemical composition.
Wormwood contains relatively high concentrations of certain compounds that register as intensely bitter on human taste receptors. Some of the main bitter components include:
- Absinthin – A toxic sesquiterpene that dominates wormwood’s chemistry.
- Anabsinthine – A very bitter alkaloid compound found almost exclusively in wormwood.
- Artabsin – Another bitter sesquiterpene.
Beyond these, wormwood also contains other bitter-tasting substances like tannins, resin, and ascorbic acid. It’s a plant that seems deliberately designed to taste unappealingly bitter!
God created substances like wormwood as literal reflections of abstract concepts like regret, judgment, and sorrow over sin. The rancid bitterness of wormwood should prod us to vomit out spiritual toxins and embrace the sweetness of Christ instead.
Wormwood in the Ancient World
Wormwood has an intriguing history of usage across different ancient cultures:
Egypt
Archaeological evidence suggests wormwood was used at times during Egypt’s New Kingdom (1550-1069 BC). Components like absinthin were extracted for use in rituals and medicine. Wormwood played a role in Egyptian spirituality.
China
In traditional Chinese medicine, wormwood leaves were infused as a bitter tonic thought to stimulate digestion, enhance circulation, and ease rheumatism pain. Chinese medical texts document wormwood use as far back as 500 BC.
Greece and Rome
Greek and Roman writers like Pedanius Dioscorides (40-90 AD) reference the bitterness of wormwood. It was sometimes consumed as a digestive aid or applied to wounds as an antiseptic. Hippocrates (460-370 BC) reportedly used wormwood juice for ailments like menstrual pain and rheumatism.
Middle Ages
During the European Middle Ages, wormwood was used to treat maladies like anemia, flatulence, intestinal worms, and insect bites. It was also a key ingredient in absinthe, a popular but controversial alcoholic drink. Absinthe was banned in the early 1900s over toxicity concerns.
Across the ancient world, wormwood was revered for its potency, bitterness, and medicinal qualities – consistent with the plant’s unique properties. The name “wormwood” itself reflects this rich history of practical usage.
Etymology of “Wormwood”
Where does the English name “wormwood” come from? It derives from two Old English words:
- Werm – meaning “snake” or “serpent.”
- Wudu – meaning “wood” or “tree.”
So “wormwood” literally indicates “snake-wood” or “serpent tree” – likely referencing this plant’s perceived curative power against toxins, vermin, or intestinal parasites.
Other sources suggest “wormwood” may reference the pale white color of its wood, evoking imagery of intestinal worms. In any case, the name directly connects wormwood to healing, cleansing, and protection – counteracting poison with bitter medicine.
Medicinal Uses of Wormwood
Does wormwood actually have therapeutic benefits? Modern research suggests it does:
- Antimicrobial activity – Wormwood contains antimicrobial compounds like absinthin that may fight bacterial and viral infections.
- Anti-inflammatory effects – Extracts have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in some studies.
- Pain relief – Historic use as a muscle relaxant and pain reliever is supported by findings that wormwood may have analgesic effects.
- Neuroprotection – Animal studies indicate wormwood may defend against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
- Cancer inhibition – Early cell studies reveal certain bioactive molecules in wormwood may help suppress cancer cell growth.
Of course, wormwood can also be toxic if used unwisely, so experts don’t recommend unsupervised use. But at appropriate doses, wormwood may indeed help counteract illness.
God has intricately designed His creation so that what seems bitter and unwanted actually holds hidden blessings! Wormwood is a reminder that what God intends for our harm can be redeemed for our welfare (Genesis 50:20).
Spiritual Lessons from Wormwood
What central spiritual lessons can we draw from the biblical symbolism of wormwood?
The Destructive Power of Sin
Wormwood’s extreme bitterness illustrates the awful truth that sin ultimately leads to sorrow, pain, destruction, and death in someone’s life – if not repented of. Whether it’s idolatry, false teaching, or sensual indulgence, sin is spiritually toxic and its end is wormwood – bitterness, regret, and devastation.
God Warns Before Chastening
Though God is patient, He will not indefinitely tolerate unrepentant sin and rebellion against His ways. Like an advanced warning siren, wormwood is a reminder to repent while there is still time, before God’s judgment arrives. When the full cup of God’s wrath spills out, it will be too late. Heed God’s warnings today!
Judgment Brings Repentance
While bitter, God’s chastening purposes to lead people to repentance. Without tasting the bitterness of divine discipline, we fail to comprehend the depth of our sick condition. Wormwood’s jarring flavor shocks us awake to the reality that sin is a cancer in need of urgent, radical treatment before it destroys us – and this drives us back to God.
Look to the Cross
For every poison, God provides an antidote. Though our sin warrants the bitterness of wormwood, Jesus drank the cup of God’s wrath down to the dregs in our place on Calvary. Taking refuge in Christ’s sacrifice averts the deluge of judgment that will one day flood this world. The cross transforms our bitterness into sweet redemption.
The Curse Becomes a Cure
What is meant to destroy us can become the catalyst for our healing when we respond rightly. Wormwood’s very bitterness conveys its power to flush out spiritual toxins. God takes that which seems cursed and makes it a cure. His grace transforms judgment into refinement.
In closing, wormwood vividly encapsulates the warning of judgment as well as the promise of redemption. It beckons us to flee the tentacles of sin before they lead to bitter destruction. Wormwood calls everyone to find deliverance from wrath and eternal sweetness in the saving blood of Jesus Christ.