Topical Bible: Bitter

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Definition and Usage:
The term "bitter" in the Bible often refers to a sharp, pungent taste or smell, but it is also used metaphorically to describe emotions, experiences, and spiritual conditions. Bitterness can denote deep sorrow, resentment, or a harsh, unpleasant situation. It is frequently associated with suffering, trials, and the consequences of sin.

Old Testament References:
In the Old Testament, bitterness is often linked to the experiences of the Israelites. For example, the Israelites' bondage in Egypt is described as bitter: "And they made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields" (Exodus 1:14). The bitterness of their slavery underscores the harshness of their oppression and the depth of their suffering.

The account of Naomi in the Book of Ruth also highlights bitterness. After losing her husband and sons, Naomi expresses her grief by saying, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me" (Ruth 1:20). Here, "Mara" means "bitter," reflecting Naomi's profound sense of loss and despair.

New Testament References:
In the New Testament, bitterness is often addressed in the context of personal relationships and spiritual health. The Apostle Paul warns against bitterness in Ephesians 4:31: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice" . This exhortation emphasizes the destructive nature of bitterness and its potential to harm both individuals and communities.

The Book of Hebrews also cautions believers about the dangers of bitterness: "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many" (Hebrews 12:15). This passage suggests that bitterness can take root in the heart, leading to spiritual defilement and discord among believers.

Symbolism and Metaphor:
Bitterness is often used symbolically in the Bible to represent the consequences of sin and disobedience. In the prophetic literature, the bitterness of judgment is depicted as a cup that nations must drink. For instance, Jeremiah 25:15 describes the cup of God's wrath: "Take from My hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it" . The imagery of a bitter cup signifies the severe and unpleasant consequences of turning away from God.

Spiritual Implications:
Bitterness is portrayed as a spiritual condition that can hinder one's relationship with God. It is often associated with unforgiveness and a lack of trust in God's sovereignty. Believers are encouraged to overcome bitterness through forgiveness, love, and reliance on God's grace. The transformation from bitterness to sweetness is exemplified in the account of the waters of Marah, where God turns the bitter waters sweet, demonstrating His power to heal and restore (Exodus 15:23-25).

Practical Application:
Christians are called to guard their hearts against bitterness by cultivating a spirit of gratitude and forgiveness. The Bible encourages believers to seek reconciliation and to trust in God's justice and mercy. By doing so, they can experience the peace and joy that come from a heart free of bitterness.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Bitterness is symbolical of affliction, misery, and servitude (Exodus 1:14; Ruth 1:20; Jeremiah 9:15). The Chaldeans are called the "bitter and hasty nation" (Habakkuk 1:6). The "gall of bitterness" expresses a state of great wickedness (Acts 8:23). A "root of bitterness" is a wicked person or a dangerous sin (Hebrews 12:15).

The Passover was to be eaten with "bitter herbs" (Exodus 12:8; Numbers 9:11). The kind of herbs so designated is not known. Probably they were any bitter herbs obtainable at the place and time when the Passover was celebrated. They represented the severity of the servitude under which the people groaned; and have been regarded also as typical of the sufferings of Christ.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) AA turn of the cable which is round the bitts.

2. (v. t.) Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like that of wormwood or an infusion of hops; as, a bitter medicine; bitter as aloes.

3. (v. t.) Causing pain or smart; piercing; painful; sharp; severe; as, a bitter cold day.

4. (v. t.) Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind; calamitous; poignant.

5. (v. t.) Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh; stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach.

6. (v. t.) Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable.

7. (n.) Any substance that is bitter. See Bitters.

8. (v. t.) To make bitter.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

BITTER HERBS

hurbs, or urbs (merorim): Originally in the primitive Passover (Exodus 12:8 Numbers 9:11) these were probably merely salads, the simplest and quickest prepared form of vegetable accompaniment to the roasted lamb. Such salads have always been favorites in the Orient. Cucumbers, lettuce, water-cress, parsley and endive are some of those commonly used. Later on the Passover ritual (as it does today) laid emphasis on the idea of "bitterness" as symbolical of Israel's lot in Egypt. In modern Palestine the Jews use chiefly lettuce and endive for the "bitter herbs" of their Passover. In Lamentations 3:15 the same word is used: "He hath filled me with bitterness merorim, he hath sated me with wormwood." Here the parallelism with "wormwood" suggests some plant more distinctly bitter than the mild salads mentioned above, such, for example, as the colocynth (Citrullus colocynthus) or the violently irritating squirting cucumber (Ecballium elaterium).

E. W. G. Masterman

BITTER; BITTERNESS

bit'-er, bit'-er-nes (mar, or marah = "bitter" (literally or figuratively); also (noun) "bitterness" or (adverb) "bitterly"; "angry," "chafed," "discontented," "heavy" (Genesis 27:34 Exodus 15:23 Numbers 5:18, 19, 23, 24, 27 Esther 4:1; Job 3:20 Psalm 64:3 Proverbs 5:4; Proverbs 27:7 Ecclesiastes 7:26; Isaiah 5:20 Jeremiah 2:19; Jeremiah 4:18 Ezekiel 27:31 Amos 8:10 Habakkuk 1:6); the derivatives marar, meror, and merorah, used with the same significance according to the context, are found in Exodus 1:14; Exodus 12:8 Numbers 9:11 Job 13:26 Isaiah 24:9. The derivati ves meri and meriri occur in Deuteronomy 32:24 Job 23:2 (margin); and tamrur, is found in Jeremiah 6:26; Jeremiah 31:15. In the New Testament the verb pikraino = "to embitter"; the adjective pikros = "bitter," and the noun pikria, "bitterness," supply the same ideas in Colossians 3:19 James 3:11, 14 Revelation 8:11; Revelation 10:9, 10): It will be noted that the word is employed with three principal spheres of application:

(1) the physical sense of taste;

(2) a figurative meaning in the objective sense of cruel, biting words; intense misery resulting from forsaking God, from a life of sin and impurity; the misery of servitude; the misfortunes of bereavement;

(3) more subjectively, bitter and bitterness describe emotions of sympathy;' the sorrow of childlessness and of penitence, of disappointment; the feeling of misery and wretchedness, giving rise to the expression "bitter tears";

(4) the ethical sense, characterizing untruth and immorality as the bitter thing in opposition to the sweetness of truth and the gospel;

(5) Numbers 5:18 the Revised Version (British and American) speaks of "the water of bitterness that causeth the curse." Here it is employed as a technical term.

Frank E. Hirsch

BITTER WATER

See ADULTERY (2); MARAH.

Greek

4089. pikros -- bitter, sharp
... bitter, sharp. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: pikros Phonetic Spelling:
(pik-ros') Short Definition: bitter, acrid, malignant Definition: bitter ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4089.htm - 6k

4087. pikraino -- to make bitter
... to make bitter. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pikraino Phonetic Spelling:
(pik-rah'-ee-no) Short Definition: I embitter Definition: I make bitter ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4087.htm - 6k

5521. chole -- gall (a bitter herb)
... gall (a bitter herb). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: chole Phonetic
Spelling: (khol-ay') Short Definition: gall, bitter herbs Definition: gall ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5521.htm - 6k

252. halukos -- salt (adjective)
... salt (adjective). Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: halukos Phonetic Spelling:
(hal-oo-kos') Short Definition: salty, saltine, bitter Definition: salty ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/252.htm - 6k

3058. loidoreo -- to abuse, revile
... 3058 (from 3060 , "a reviler") -- properly, to say harsh things (make verbal assaults);
to ; to spue bitter (tasteless) statements, using , words to demoralize ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3058.htm - 7k

2191. echidna -- a viper
... This the bitter for the sweet, light for darkness, etc. 2191 ("viper")
then suggests the venomous desire to what is for what is . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2191.htm - 6k

5354. phthoneo -- to envy
... Cognate: 5354 (from 5355 ) -- to envy, becoming bitter (sour) because of another
person's success. 5354 is used only in Gal 5:26. See 5355 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5354.htm - 6k

1099. glukus -- sweet
... sweet, fresh. Of uncertain affinity; sweet (ie Not bitter nor salt) -- sweet, fresh.
(gluku) -- 4 Occurrences. 1098, 1099. glukus. 1100 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1099.htm - 6k

894. apsinthos -- wormwood
... Definition: wormwood. 894 -- a bitter plant known as ""; (figuratively) what
is (grievous), bringing on (used only in Rev 8:11). Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/894.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

4846. merorah -- a bitter thing, gall, poison
... merorah or merorah. 4847 . a bitter thing, gall, poison. Transliteration: merorah
or merorah Phonetic Spelling: (mer-o-raw') Short Definition: bitter. ...
/hebrew/4846.htm - 6k

4843. marar -- to be bitter
... 4842, 4843. marar. 4844 . to be bitter. Transliteration: marar Phonetic Spelling:
(maw-rar') Short Definition: bitter. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/4843.htm - 6k

4815. meriri -- bitter
... bitter. Transliteration: meriri Phonetic Spelling: (mer-ee-ree') Short Definition:
bitter. Word Origin from marar Definition bitter NASB Word Usage bitter (1). ...
/hebrew/4815.htm - 6k

4844. maror -- bitter thing, bitter herb
... 4843, 4844. maror or maror. 4845 . bitter thing, bitter herb. Transliteration:
maror or maror Phonetic Spelling: (mer-ore') Short Definition: herbs. ...
/hebrew/4844.htm - 6k

4751. mar -- bitter, bitterness
mar or marah. 4750, 4751. mar or marah. 4752 . bitter, bitterness. Transliteration:
mar or marah Phonetic Spelling: (mar) Short Definition: bitter. ...
/hebrew/4751.htm - 6k

4785. Marah -- a bitter spring in the Sinai peninsula
... 4784, 4785. Marah. 4786 . a bitter spring in the Sinai peninsula. Transliteration:
Marah Phonetic Spelling: (maw-raw') Short Definition: Marah. ...
/hebrew/4785.htm - 6k

4755. Mara -- "bitter," symbolic name of Naomi
... 4754, 4755. Mara. 4756 . "bitter," symbolic name of Naomi. Transliteration:
Mara Phonetic Spelling: (maw-raw') Short Definition: Mara. ...
/hebrew/4755.htm - 6k

4472. mamror -- a bitter thing
... 4471, 4472. mamror. 4473 . a bitter thing. Transliteration: mamror Phonetic
Spelling: (mam-rore') Short Definition: bitterness. ...
/hebrew/4472.htm - 6k

7219. rosh -- (bitter and poisonous herb) venom
... 7218, 7219. rosh or rosh. 7220 . (bitter and poisonous herb) venom.
Transliteration: rosh or rosh Phonetic Spelling: (roshe) Short Definition: poison. ...
/hebrew/7219.htm - 6k

4784. marah -- to be contentious or rebellious
... root Definition to be contentious or rebellious NASB Word Usage became disobedient
(1), bitter (1), disobedient (1), disobeyed (2), provocation (1), rebel (6 ...
/hebrew/4784.htm - 6k

Library

In the Bitter Cold of Winter the Trees Stand Bare of Leaves...
... V. THE CROSS AND THE MYSTERY OF SUFFERING SECTION II 1. In the bitter
cold of winter the trees stand bare of leaves? 1. In the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section ii 1 in the.htm

Bitter and Sweet.
... III. CONFLICT. Hymn 27 Bitter and sweet. John Newton 7,6,7,6,7,7,7,6. Bitter
and sweet. Kindle, Savior, in my heart. A flame of love divine; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 27 bitter and sweet.htm

Marah; Or, the Bitter Waters Sweetened
... Marah; or, The Bitter Waters Sweetened. A Sermon (No.987). ... it had only changed
its shape. They found water, but it was too bitter to drink. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/marah or the bitter waters.htm

Of the Most Bitter Kind of Scrupulosity Touching Confession. ...
... CHAPTER XI. Of the most bitter kind of scrupulosity touching Confession.? Sec. 1.
Of the most bitter kind of scrupulosity touching Confession. Sec. Sec. ...
/.../chapter xi of the most.htm

The Bitter Waters. Ex 15:23-15
... EXODUS Hymn 13 The Bitter waters. Ex 15:23-15. John Newton 8,6,8,6. The Bitter
waters. Exodus 15:23-15. Bitter, indeed, the waters are. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 13 the bitter waters.htm

"But if Ye have Bitter Envying," &C.
... PRACTICAL RELIGION. Sermon V. "But if ye have bitter envying," &c. James
iii.14.""But if ye have bitter envying," &c. The cunning ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon v but if ye.htm

LM Jane Roscoe. The Bitter Cup.
... VI. THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER. 276. LM Jane Roscoe. The Bitter Cup. 1 Thy will
be done! ... joyful on my way, To drink Thy bitter cup, I go. ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/276 l m jane roscoe.htm

"But if Ye have Bitter Envying and Strife in Your Hearts, Glory ...
... SEVERAL SERMONS UPON THE MOST IMPORTANT SUBJECTS OF PRACTICAL RELIGION. Sermon IV.
"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not," &c. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iv but if ye.htm

This is He who Took a Bodily Form in the virgin
... Bitter were thy nails, and sharp; bitter thy tongue, which thou didst whet; bitter
was Judas, to whom thou gavest hire; bitter thy false witnesses, whom thou ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/v this is he who.htm

Marah
... 'And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for
they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.24. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/marah.htm

Thesaurus

Bitter-tongued (4 Occurrences)
Bitter-tongued. Bitter-tasting, Bitter-tongued. Bitumen .
Multi-Version Concordance Bitter-tongued (4 Occurrences). ...
/b/bitter-tongued.htm - 7k

Bitter (203 Occurrences)
... The Chaldeans are called the "bitter and hasty nation" (Habakkuk 1:6). The "gall
of bitterness" expresses a state of great wickedness (Acts 8:23). ...
/b/bitter.htm - 42k

Bitter-tasting (2 Occurrences)
Bitter-tasting. Bitters, Bitter-tasting. Bitter-tongued .
Multi-Version Concordance Bitter-tasting (2 Occurrences). ...
/b/bitter-tasting.htm - 7k

Gall (17 Occurrences)
... In Hosea 10:4 the Hebrew word is rendered "hemlock." The original probably denotes
some bitter, poisonous plant, most probably the poppy, which grows up quickly ...
/g/gall.htm - 17k

Wormwood (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A composite plant (Artemisia Absinthium), having a bitter and slightly aromatic
taste, formerly used as a tonic and a vermifuge, and to protect woolen ...
/w/wormwood.htm - 13k

Bitterness (37 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The quality or state of being bitter, sharp, or acrid, in either a literal
or figurative sense; implacableness; resentfulness; severity; keenness of ...
/b/bitterness.htm - 21k

Quarrelsome (9 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 19:13 A foolish son is the destruction of his father; and the bitter arguments
of a wife are like drops of rain falling without end. (See NIV). ...
/q/quarrelsome.htm - 8k

Tasting (9 Occurrences)
... Tasting (9 Occurrences). Matthew 27:34 They gave him wine mixed with bitter
drink: and after tasting it, he took no more. (BBE NAS NIV). ...
/t/tasting.htm - 9k

Mara (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Bitter; sad, a symbolical name which Naomi gave to herself
because of her misfortunes (Ruth 1:20). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/m/mara.htm - 7k

Marah (4 Occurrences)
... Bitterness, a fountain at the sixth station of the Israelites (Exodus 15:23, 24;
Numbers 33:8) whose waters were so bitter that they could not drink them. ...
/m/marah.htm - 8k

Resources

What is the meaning of bitter water in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about bitterness? | GotQuestions.org

What is a root of bitterness? | GotQuestions.org

Bitter: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Bitter (203 Occurrences)

Matthew 2:18
"A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and bitter lamentation: It was Rachel bewailing her children, and she refused to be comforted because there were no more."
(WEY)

Matthew 13:57
And they were bitter against him. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is nowhere without honour but in his country and among his family.
(BBE)

Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, the taking of life, broken faith between the married, unclean desires of the flesh, taking of property, false witness, bitter words:
(BBE)

Matthew 27:34
They gave him wine mixed with bitter drink: and after tasting it, he took no more.
(BBE)

Matthew 27:39
And those who went by said bitter words to him, shaking their heads and saying,
(BBE)

Matthew 27:48
And straight away one of them went quickly, and took a sponge, and made it full of bitter wine, and put it on a rod and gave him drink.
(BBE)

Mark 6:3
Is not this the woodworker, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were bitter against him.
(BBE)

Mark 6:19
And Herodias was bitter against him, desiring to put him to death; but she was not able;
(BBE)

Mark 15:36
And one of them went quickly and, getting a sponge full of bitter wine, put it on a rod, and gave it to him for drink, saying, Let be; let us see if Elijah will come to take him down.
(BBE)

Luke 23:35
and the people stood looking on. The Rulers, too, repeatedly uttered their bitter taunts. "This fellow," they said, "saved others: let him save himself, if he is God's Anointed, the Chosen One."
(WEY)

Luke 23:36
And the men of the army made sport of him, coming to him and giving him bitter wine,
(BBE)

Luke 23:39
And one of the evil-doers on the cross, with bitter feeling, said to him, Are you not the Christ? Get yourself and us out of this.
(BBE)

John 6:41
Now the Jews said bitter things about Jesus because of his words, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
(BBE)

John 7:23
If a child is circumcised even on a Sabbath day, are you bitter against me because I have restored a man to perfect health on a Sabbath day?
(WEY)

John 19:29
Now there was a vessel ready, full of bitter wine, and they put a sponge full of it on a stick and put it to his mouth.
(BBE)

Acts 8:23
For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."
(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 12:20
And he was in bitter hostility with the Tyrians and Sidonians; but they came to him with one accord, and, having gained Blastus the king's chamberlain, sought peace, because their country was nourished by the king's.
(DBY)

Acts 14:2
But the disbelieving Jews stirred up and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers.
(Root in WEB WEY BBE NAS)

Romans 3:14
"Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 15:3
For Christ did not give pleasure to himself, but, as it is said, The bitter words of those who were angry with you came on me.
(BBE)

Ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice.
(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Philippians 3:6
In bitter hate I was cruel to the church; I kept all the righteousness of the law to the last detail.
(BBE)

Colossians 3:19
Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS)

1 Timothy 6:5
Bitter talk of men who, being evil in mind and dead to what is true, take the faith to be a way of making profit.
(BBE)

2 Timothy 3:2
For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, uplifted in pride, given to bitter words, going against the authority of their fathers, never giving praise, having no religion,
(BBE)

2 Timothy 3:3
Without natural love, bitter haters, saying evil of others, violent and uncontrolled, hating all good,
(BBE)

2 Timothy 4:14
Alexander the metal-worker showed bitter hostility towards me: the Lord will requite him according to his doings.
(WEY)

Hebrews 12:15
looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and many be defiled by it;
(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

James 3:11
Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS)

James 3:14
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

James 5:1
Come now, you men of wealth, give yourselves to weeping and crying because of the bitter troubles which are coming to you.
(BBE)

2 Peter 2:14
Having eyes full of evil desire, never having enough of sin; turning feeble souls out of the true way; they are children of cursing, whose hearts are well used to bitter envy;
(BBE)

Revelation 8:11
The name of the star is called "Wormwood." One third of the waters became wormwood. Many people died from the waters, because they were made bitter.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Revelation 10:9
I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. He said to me, "Take it, and eat it up. It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Revelation 10:10
I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth. When I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Genesis 21:16
And she went some distance away, about an arrow flight, and seating herself on the earth, she gave way to bitter weeping, saying, Let me not see the death of my child.
(BBE)

Genesis 26:35
And they were a bitterness of spirit unto Isaac and to Rebekah.
(Root in JPS YLT RSV)

Genesis 27:34
When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceeding great and bitter cry, and said to his father, "Bless me, even me also, my father."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 31:40
This was my condition, wasted by heat in the day and by the bitter cold at night; and sleep went from my eyes.
(BBE)

Genesis 41:31
And men will have no memory of the good time because of the need which will come after, for it will be very bitter.
(BBE)

Genesis 43:1
Now the land was in bitter need of food.
(BBE)

Genesis 44:13
Then in bitter grief they put the bags on the asses again and went back to the town.
(BBE)

Genesis 49:7
A curse on their passion for it was bitter; and on their wrath for it was cruel. I will let their heritage in Jacob be broken up, driving them from their places in Israel.
(BBE)

Genesis 50:10
And they came to the grain-floor of Atad on the other side of Jordan, and there they gave the last honours to Jacob, with great and bitter sorrow, weeping for their father for seven days.
(BBE NIV)

Exodus 1:14
and they made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field, all their service, in which they ruthlessly made them serve.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 12:8
They shall eat the flesh in that night, roasted with fire, and unleavened bread. They shall eat it with bitter herbs.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 15:23
When they came to Marah, they couldn't drink from the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore its name was called Marah.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 5:15
Then let him take her to the priest, offering for her the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal, without oil or perfume; for it is a meal offering of a bitter spirit, a meal offering keeping wrongdoing in mind.
(BBE)

Numbers 5:18
The priest shall set the woman before Yahweh, and let the hair of the woman's head go loose, and put the meal offering of memorial in her hands, which is the meal offering of jealousy. The priest shall have in his hand the water of bitterness that brings a curse.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 5:19
The priest shall cause her to swear, and shall tell the woman, "If no man has lain with you, and if you haven't gone aside to uncleanness, being under your husband, be free from this water of bitterness that brings a curse.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 5:23
"'The priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out into the water of bitterness.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 5:24
He shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that causes the curse; and the water that causes the curse shall enter into her and become bitter.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 5:26
And he will take some of it in his hand, burning it on the altar as a sign, and then he will give the woman the bitter water.
(BBE)

Numbers 5:27
When he has made her drink the water, then it shall happen, if she is defiled, and has committed a trespass against her husband, that the water that causes the curse will enter into her and become bitter, and her body will swell, and her thigh will fall away: and the woman will be a curse among her people.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 5:30
Or for a husband who, in a bitter spirit, has doubts in his heart about his wife; let him take her to the priest, who will put in force this law.
(BBE)

Numbers 9:11
In the second month, on the fourteenth day at evening they shall keep it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 22:3
And in Moab there was great fear of the people, because their numbers were so great: and the feeling of Moab was bitter against the children of Israel.
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 28:53
And your food will be the fruit of your body, the flesh of the sons and daughters which the Lord your God has given you; because of your bitter need and the cruel grip of your haters.
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 28:57
And to her baby newly come to birth, and to the children of her body; for having no other food, she will make a meal of them secretly, because of her bitter need and the cruel grip of your haters on all your towns.
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 29:18
So that there may not be among you any man or woman or family or tribe whose heart is turned away from the Lord our God today, to go after other gods and give them worship; or any root among you whose fruit is poison and bitter sorrow;
(BBE RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 32:24
They shall be wasted with hunger, and devoured with burning heat and bitter destruction. I will send the teeth of animals on them, With the poison of crawling things of the dust.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS)

Deuteronomy 32:32
For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, of the fields of Gomorrah. Their grapes are grapes of gall, Their clusters are bitter.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 5:23
'Curse Meroz,' said the angel of Yahweh.'Curse bitterly its inhabitants, because they didn't come to help Yahweh, to help Yahweh against the mighty.'
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS RSV NIV)

Judges 18:25
And the children of Dan said to him, Say no more, or men of bitter spirit may make an attack on you, causing loss of your life and the lives of your people.
(BBE YLT)

Judges 21:2
And the people came to Beth-el, waiting there till evening before God, and gave themselves up to bitter weeping.
(BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Ruth 1:13
would ye wait on that account till they were grown? Would ye stay on that account from having husbands? No, my daughters, for I am in much more bitterness than you; for the hand of Jehovah is gone out against me.
(Root in DBY YLT RSV NIV)

Ruth 1:20
She said to them, "Don't call me Naomi. Call me Mara; for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 1:10
She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to Yahweh, and wept sore.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 14:52
All through the life of Saul there was bitter war against the Philistines; and whenever Saul saw any strong man or any good fighting man, he kept him near himself.
(BBE NIV)

1 Samuel 22:2
And everyone who was in trouble, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, came together to him, and he became captain over them: about four hundred men were joined to him.
(BBE DBY YLT)

1 Samuel 30:6
And David was greatly troubled; for the people were talking of stoning him, because their hearts were bitter, every man sorrowing for his sons and his daughters: but David made himself strong in the Lord his God.
(BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 1:11
Then David gave way to bitter grief, and so did all the men who were with him:
(BBE)

2 Samuel 2:26
Then Abner called to Joab, and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Don't you know that it will be bitterness in the latter end? How long shall it be then, before you bid the people return from following their brothers?"
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 17:8
Hushai said moreover: 'Thou knowest thy father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are embittered in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field; and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
(Root in JPS BBE YLT)

2 Samuel 19:2
And the salvation of that day was changed to sorrow for all the people: for it was said to the people, The king is in bitter grief for his son.
(BBE)

1 Kings 2:8
Now you have with you Shimei, the son of Gera the Benjamite of Bahurim, who put a bitter curse on me on the day when I went to Mahanaim; but he came down to see me at Jordan, and I gave him my oath by the Lord, saying, I will not put you to death by the sword.
(BBE NIV)

1 Kings 14:6
Then Ahijah, hearing the sound of her footsteps coming in at the door, said, Come in, O wife of Jeroboam; why do you make yourself seem like another? for I am sent to you with bitter news.
(BBE)

1 Kings 20:43
Then the king of Israel went back to his house, bitter and angry, and came to Samaria.
(BBE)

1 Kings 21:5
But Jezebel, his wife, came to him and said, Why is your spirit so bitter that you have no desire for food?
(BBE)

2 Kings 4:27
And when she came to where the man of God was on the hill, she put her hands round his feet; and Gehazi came near with the purpose of pushing her away; but the man of God said, Let her be, for her soul is bitter in her; and the Lord has kept it secret from me, and has not given me word of it.
(BBE JPS YLT RSV NIV)

2 Kings 14:26
For Yahweh saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter; for there was none shut up nor left at large, neither was there any helper for Israel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 19:22
Against whom have you said evil and bitter things? against whom has your voice been loud and your eyes lifted up? even against the Holy One of Israel.
(BBE)

2 Kings 20:3
"Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight." Hezekiah wept bitterly.
(Root in WEB BBE NAS RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 26:19
Then Uzziah was angry; and he had in his hand a vessel for burning perfume; and while his wrath was bitter against the priests, the mark of the leper's disease came out on his brow, before the eyes of the priests in the house of the Lord by the altar of perfumes.
(BBE)

Esther 4:1
Now when Mordecai found out all that was done, Mordecai tore his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and wailed loudly and a bitterly.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 2:12
And lifting up their eyes when they were still far off, it did not seem that the man they saw was Job because of the change in him. And they gave way to bitter weeping, with signs of grief, and put dust on their heads.
(BBE)

Job 3:5
Let darkness and death-shade redeem it, Let a cloud tabernacle upon it, Let them terrify it as the most bitter of days.
(YLT)

Job 3:20
"Why is light given to him who is in misery, life to the bitter in soul,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 7:11
"Therefore I will not keep silent. I will speak in the anguish of my spirit. I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 9:18
He will not allow me to catch my breath, but fills me with bitterness.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Job 10:1
"My soul is weary of my life. I will give free course to my complaint. I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 13:26
For you write bitter things against me, and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 16:10
Their mouths are open wide against me; the blows of his bitter words are falling on my face; all of them come together in a mass against me.
(BBE)

Job 17:2
Truly, those who make sport of me are round about me, and my eyes become dark because of their bitter laughing.
(BBE)

Job 19:2
How long will you make my life bitter, crushing me with words?
(BBE)

Job 20:14
His food becomes bitter in his stomach; the poison of snakes is inside him.
(BBE YLT)

Job 21:25
Another dies in bitterness of soul, and never tastes of good.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 23:2
Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
(KJV JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Job 27:2
"As God lives, who has taken away my right, the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter.
(WEB JPS BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 4:4
Let there be fear in your hearts, and do no sin; have bitter feelings on your bed, but make no sound. (Selah.)
(BBE)

Subtopics

Bitter

Bitter Herbs

Bitter Herbs: Eaten Symbolically With the Passover Meal

Bitter Water