Wormwood
NatureWhat is the meaning of Wormwood in the Bible?
The Hebrew term la'anah denotes a bitter substance, frequently translated as wormwood, and corresponds to plants within the genus Artemisia, which includes several species of shrubs and herbs native to the region of Palestine.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the physical properties and regional prevalence of wormwood clarifies the metaphorical weight of biblical passages where bitterness symbolizes divine judgment or suffering, grounding abstract theological concepts in tangible environmental realities.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Wormwood were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Wormwood in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Wormwood clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Wormwood." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/wormwood/