Wormwood
Natureâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
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.
What 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
- Why did the biblical author mention Wormwood in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Wormwood clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.