Definition and Usage:
The term "embitter" refers to the act of causing someone to feel resentment, anger, or deep-seated ill will. In a biblical context, embitterment can arise from personal grievances, injustices, or prolonged suffering. It is often associated with a hardened heart and a spirit of unforgiveness, which can lead to spiritual and relational discord.

Biblical References:
The concept of embitterment is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, highlighting its destructive nature and the importance of overcoming it through forgiveness and grace.

1. Ephesians 4:31 : "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice." This verse emphasizes the need for believers to purge themselves of bitterness and related negative emotions, which can hinder spiritual growth and community harmony.

2. Hebrews 12:15 : "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." Here, the author warns against allowing bitterness to take root, as it can lead to widespread defilement and trouble within the community of believers.

3. Colossians 3:19 : "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them." While not using the word "embitter," this verse advises against harshness, which can lead to embitterment in marital relationships. It underscores the importance of love and gentleness in preventing bitterness.

4. Job 7:11 : "Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul." Job's expression of bitterness reflects the deep anguish and suffering he experienced, serving as a reminder of the human tendency to become embittered in times of severe trial.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, embitterment is seen as a spiritual ailment that can obstruct one's relationship with God and others. It is often linked to unforgiveness and a lack of trust in God's sovereignty and justice. The Bible encourages believers to seek healing from bitterness through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, fostering a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Practical Application:
Christians are called to actively combat embitterment by practicing forgiveness, seeking reconciliation, and trusting in God's ultimate justice. This involves a conscious decision to let go of past hurts and grievances, allowing God's love and grace to heal and restore relationships. Engaging in regular prayer, meditation on Scripture, and participation in a supportive faith community can aid in overcoming bitterness and fostering a heart of compassion and peace.(v. t.) To make bitter or sad. See Imbitter.3893. parapikraino -- to embitter, provoke
... to embitter, provoke. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: parapikraino Phonetic
Spelling: (par-ap-ik-rah'-ee-no) Short Definition: I embitter, provoke ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3893.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

2559. kakoo -- to ill-treat
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kakoo Phonetic Spelling: (kak-o'-o) Short Definition:
I treat badly Definition: I treat badly, afflict, embitter, make angry. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2559.htm - 7k

4669. smurnizo -- to be like myrrh, to mingle with myrrh
... mingle with myrrh. From Smurna; to tincture with myrrh, ie Embitter (as a narcotic) --
mingle with myrrh. see GREEK Smurna. (esmurnismenon) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4669.htm - 7k

3992. maar -- to prick, to pain
... fretting, picking. A primitive root; to be bitter or (causatively) to embitter,
ie Be painful -- fretting, picking. 3991, 3992. maar. 3993 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/3992.htm - 6k

Letter xi. --Intemperate Zeal.
... and with all possible sweetness, compassion, and thoughtfulness for my neighbour,
and a helpfulness, kindness and charity which nothing can embitter, a charity ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter xi intemperate zeal.htm

Contradiction Between Our Life and Our Christian Conscience.
... of the Higher View of Life, and yet Continuing to Preserve Inferior Organizations
of Life, Leads to Contradictions and Sufferings which Embitter Existence and ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter v contradiction between our.htm

The Christian Training of Children.
... In the hope then that we have found the most important point in this lesson, let
us try to-day to lay to heart this warning, not to embitter our children. ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/viii the christian training of.htm

Home Influence.
... child. It gives the first tone to our desires, and furnishes ingredients
that will either sweeten or embitter the whole cup of life. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter v home influence.htm

Saul's Conversion
... chief concern should be, to learn how to behave towards them in a Christian manner:
For, unless we make good heed to ourselves, we shall embitter our spirits ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/sauls conversion.htm

Of the Inward Growth of Patience, and of the Struggle against Evil ...
... The old serpent will urge and embitter thee, but will be put to flight by prayer;
moreover, by useful labour his entrance will be greatly obstructed.". ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xii of the inward.htm

The Trouble and Rest of Good Men "There the Wicked Cease from ...
... "From whence come wars and fightings among you?" Whence all the ills that embitter
society; that often turn that highest of blessings into a curse, and make it ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 127 the trouble and.htm

May-Time in War.
... Man who can ne'er with firmness wait,. Nor to one aim be true,. But must embitter
his own fate,. And his own death pursue; Whose life at best so swiftly past,. ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/may-time in war.htm

Letter ix. --How to Bear These Trials.
... try at least during these times of trial, first to dismiss as far as you are able,
all those thoughts, feelings and that language likely to embitter your mind ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter ix how to bear these.htm

Letter xviii. --God Alone Can Remove These Trials.
... beloved Son in the garden.". 2nd. Try to avoid all useless reflexions which
only embitter the heart. When, in spite of yourself, you ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter xviii god alone can remove.htm

Embitter (2 Occurrences)
... See Imbitter. Multi-Version Concordance Embitter (2 Occurrences). ... Genesis 49:23 And
embitter him -- yea, they have striven, Yea, hate him do archers; (YLT). ...
/e/embitter.htm - 7k

Embittered (12 Occurrences)

/e/embittered.htm - 10k

Embers (2 Occurrences)

/e/embers.htm - 6k

Exasperate (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To make grievous, or more grievous or malignant; to aggravate; to embitter;
as, to exasperate enmity. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/e/exasperate.htm - 7k

Provocation (20 Occurrences)
... make jealous" (Romans 10:19; Romans 11:11, 14); parorgizo, "to make angry" (Ephesians
6:4; compare Colossians 3:21); with parapikraino, "to embitter" (Hebrews 3 ...
/p/provocation.htm - 15k

Provoke (64 Occurrences)
... make jealous" (Romans 10:19; Romans 11:11, 14); parorgizo, "to make angry" (Ephesians
6:4; compare Colossians 3:21); with parapikraino, "to embitter" (Hebrews 3 ...
/p/provoke.htm - 31k

Bitter (203 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament the verb pikraino = "to embitter"; the adjective pikros =
"bitter," and the noun pikria, "bitterness," supply the same ideas in Colossians ...
/b/bitter.htm - 42k

Bitterness (37 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament the verb pikraino = "to embitter"; the adjective pikros =
"bitter," and the noun pikria, "bitterness," supply the same ideas in Colossians ...
/b/bitterness.htm - 21k

Striven (10 Occurrences)
... prevailed. (See JPS ASV NAS RSV). Genesis 49:23 And embitter him -- yea,
they have striven, Yea, hate him do archers; (YLT). Numbers ...
/s/striven.htm - 9k

English
... it." The Black Death, "the most terrible plague the world ever witnessed," fell
in the middle of the century and did much further to embitter the already ...
/e/english.htm - 38k

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