Hemlock is a term used in the Bible to refer to a poisonous plant, often symbolizing bitterness, judgment, or calamity. The Hebrew word often translated as "hemlock" is "rosh," which can also mean "gall" or "venom." This term appears in several passages, conveying a sense of bitterness and divine retribution.

Biblical References:

1. Deuteronomy 29:18 : "Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you bearing such poisonous and bitter fruit." The term "poisonous and bitter fruit" is often associated with hemlock, symbolizing the spiritual corruption and idolatry that can lead to divine judgment.

2. Hosea 10:4 : "They make many promises, take false oaths, and make covenants; so lawsuits break out like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field." Here, the imagery of "poisonous weeds" is linked to societal corruption and the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Hemlock, as a poisonous plant, serves as a metaphor for the destructive nature of sin and falsehood.

3. Amos 6:12 : "Do horses run on rocky crags? Does one plow there with oxen? Yet you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood." The transformation of justice into "poison" and righteousness into "wormwood" reflects the moral decay and perversion of justice in Israel. Hemlock, as a symbol of poison, underscores the severity of this moral decline.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In the biblical context, hemlock is not merely a reference to a physical plant but serves as a powerful symbol of spiritual and moral corruption. It represents the consequences of turning away from God's commandments and the resulting bitterness that permeates a society that embraces idolatry and injustice. The imagery of hemlock as a bitter and poisonous plant is used to illustrate the destructive nature of sin and the inevitable judgment that follows.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient times, hemlock was known for its toxic properties and was often associated with death and suffering. The plant's reputation as a poison made it an apt metaphor for the spiritual and moral poison that can infiltrate a community or individual. The biblical authors used this imagery to communicate the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance and return to God's ways.

Theological Implications:

The use of hemlock in the Bible serves as a warning against the dangers of idolatry, falsehood, and injustice. It calls believers to examine their hearts and lives, ensuring that no "root of bitterness" takes hold. The imagery of hemlock challenges the faithful to pursue righteousness and justice, aligning their lives with God's will to avoid the spiritual poison that leads to destruction.Hemlock

the common ground or dwarf hemlock, a bitter, poisonous plant. The Hebrew rosh is rendered "hemlock" in two passages, (Hosea 10:4; Amos 6:12) but elsewhere "gall." [GALL] (It is possible that the plant is rather the poppy than an hemlock. --Cook.)

Hemlock

Hosea 10:4 Am 6:12, in Hebrew, ROSH, usually translated gall or bitterness, De 32:32, and mentioned in connection with wormwood, De 29:18 Jeremiah 9:15 23:15 La 3:19. It indicates some wild, bitter, and noxious plant, which it is difficult to determine. According to some it is the poisonous hemlock, while others consider it to be the poppy.

(1.) Hebrews rosh (Hosea 10:4; rendered "gall" in Deuteronomy 29:18; 32:32; Psalm 69:21; Jeremiah 9:15; 23:15; "poison, " Job 20:16; "venom, " Deuteronomy 32:33). "Rosh is the name of some poisonous plant which grows quickly and luxuriantly; of a bitter taste, and therefore coupled with wormwood (Deuteronomy 29:18; Lamentations 3:19). Hence it would seem to be not the hemlock cicuta, nor the colocynth or wild gourd, nor lolium darnel, but the poppy so called from its heads" (Gesenius, Lex.).

(2.) Hebrews la'anah, generally rendered "wormwood" (q.v.), Deuteronomy 29:18, Text 17; Proverbs 5:4; Jeremiah 9:15; 23:15. Once it is rendered "hemlock" (Amos 6:12; R.V., "wormwood"). This Hebrew word is from a root meaning "to curse," hence the accursed.

1. (n.) The name of several poisonous umbelliferous herbs having finely cut leaves and small white flowers, as the Cicuta maculata, bulbifera, and virosa, and the Conium maculatum. See Conium.

2. (n.) An evergreen tree common in North America (Abies, / Tsuga, Canadensis); hemlock spruce.

3. (n.) The wood or timber of the hemlock tree.

HEMLOCK

hem'-lock.

See GALL.

3939. laanah -- wormwood
... hemlock, wormwood. From an unused root supposed to mean to curse; wormwood (regarded
as poisonous, and therefore accursed) -- hemlock, wormwood. 3938, 3939. ...
/hebrew/3939.htm - 6k

7219. rosh -- (bitter and poisonous herb) venom
... poisoned (2), poisonous (2), poisonous weeds (1). gall, hemlock, poison,
venom. Or rowsh (Deut. 32:32) {roshe}; apparently the same ...
/hebrew/7219.htm - 6k

But those who are Despised for their Ignorance, and Set Down as ...
... his power to restrain his passions within the limits he prescribed for himself,
determined to check them at their seat by the application of hemlock; and thus ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlviii but those who.htm

Introductory Note to the Martyrdom of Justin Martyr
... The story that he died by the hemlock seems to have originated among the Greeks,
who naturally gave this turn to the sufferings of a philosopher. ...
/.../introductory note to the martyrdom.htm

But the Ways in Our Life which Turn Aside Towards Sin are ...
... virginity, says, "The Athenian hierophant, distrusting his power of self-control
for the period of his regular religious duties, uses hemlock, and passes as ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xv but the ways.htm

The Germination of the Earth.
... "Let the earth bring forth grass;" and instantly, with useful plants, appear noxious
plants; with corn, hemlock; with the other nutritious plants, hellebore ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily v the germination of.htm

1 Cor. I. 18-20
... was it he who drank the hemlock? ... For had it been lawful when prosecution befel them
to drink hemlock and depart, all had become more famous than he. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily iv 1 cor i.htm

Prayer.
... is the preparation which will prove, with God's grace, the surest preventive of,
or antidote against, the freezing poison, the lethargising hemlock, of the ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/prayer.htm

Visits of Angels.
... not reached its superlative. Socrates' duty was plain to him. Hemlock
was in the cup, and he knew it. But the liquor with which ...
/.../rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter xi visits of angels.htm

Of the Intestines in Man, and their Use.
... This is composed of flexible and soft bones, as though of rings fitted together
after the manner of a hemlock stalk, [1893] and adhering together; and this ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap xi of the intestines in.htm

Of the Voice.
... has struck against the obstacle presented by the throat, forces out the sound of
the voice: as when we send down the breath into an open hemlock stalk, having ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap xv of the voice.htm

It is not to the Philosophers that we Resort for Information About ...
... The sacred ship had returned (from Delos), the hemlock draft to which he had been
condemned had been drunk, death was now present before him: (his mind) was ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter i it is not to.htm

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

Hemlock (2 Occurrences)
... Hence it would seem to be not the hemlock cicuta, nor the colocynth or wild gourd,
nor lolium darnel, but the poppy so called from its heads" (Gesenius, Lex.). ...
/h/hemlock.htm - 9k

Wormwood (10 Occurrences)
... affliction, remorse, punitive suffering. In Amos 6:12 this Hebrew word is rendered
"hemlock" (RV, "wormwood"). In the symbolical language ...
/w/wormwood.htm - 13k

Poison (17 Occurrences)
... This word is rendered "gall", qv, (Deuteronomy 29:18; 32:33; Psalm 69:21; Jeremiah
8:14, etc.), "hemlock" (Hosea 10:4; Amos 6:12), and "poison" (Job 20:16 ...
/p/poison.htm - 17k

Medicine (4 Occurrences)
... The Babylonian medicines, as far as they can be identified, are similar. In the
Mishna we have references to wormwood, poppy, hemlock, aconite and other drugs. ...
/m/medicine.htm - 11k

Sprouts (6 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Hosea 10:4 They speak words, they swear falsely, they make covenants; thus
judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field. (See NAS). ...
/s/sprouts.htm - 7k

Springeth (12 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Hosea 10:4 They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant:
thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field. ...
/s/springeth.htm - 10k

Mere (56 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Hosea 10:4 They speak mere words, swearing falsely in making a covenant;
therefore shall judgment spring up as hemlock in the furrows of the fields. ...
/m/mere.htm - 22k

Hemdan (2 Occurrences)

/h/hemdan.htm - 7k

Hemmed (3 Occurrences)

/h/hemmed.htm - 7k

Hemlock: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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