Bitter and bitterness can describe affliction, misery, servitude, or deep wickedness. Bitter herbs were eaten with the Passover meal to recall Israel’s bitter bondage in Egypt.
Definition
Bitter describes a sharp or unpleasant quality and, figuratively, affliction, misery, servitude, or deep wickedness. “Bitterness” can portray the suffering of oppression, while expressions such as “the gall of bitterness” and “a root of bitterness” describe serious wickedness or dangerous sin.
Biblical Usage
The Bible uses bitterness for affliction and servitude, calls the Chaldeans a bitter nation, and applies the expressions “gall of bitterness” and “root of bitterness” to wickedness. Bitter herbs at Passover recalled Israel’s severe bondage in Egypt and have also been regarded as pointing to Christ’s sufferings.
Historical Background
The particular herbs used at Passover are not identified with certainty. They were probably whatever bitter herbs were available at the place and time of observance.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Bitterness is symbolical of affliction, misery, and servitude (Ex. 1:14; Ruth 1:20; Jer. 9:15). The Chaldeans are called the “bitter and hasty nation” (Hab. 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 (Heb. 12:15). The Passover was to be eaten with “bitter herbs” (Ex. 12:8; Num. 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.
