What is the meaning of wormwood in Revelation?
Revelation 8:10 - 11
ESV - 10 The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter.
Clarify
•
Share
•
Report
•
Asked July 01 2013
•
Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
"Wormwood" is the name of a star in Revelation 8:10-11: "The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs o...
Login or Sign Up to view the rest of this answer.
Jason Corning
Supporter
The Russian word for Wormwood is Chernobyl (as in the Nuclear Power Plant that melted down in the Soviet Union on April 26, 1986) A number of Bible scholars consider the term Wormwood to be a purely symbolic representation of the bitterness that will fill the earth during troubled times, noting that the plant for which Wormwood is named, Artemisia absinthium, or Mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris, is a known Biblical metaphor for things that are unpalatably bitter. One interesting theory is that nuclear weaponry could be called wormwood. For example: Ukrainian synonymy 'wormwood'. They do poison the water where they are detonated, thus explaining the correlation. Some even point to the Chernobyl disaster as a possible fulfillment of this prophecy, as the name Chernobyl is said to translate to "wormwood." - Wormwood, Wikipedia http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/chernobyl_wormwood.htm
Kenneth Heck
Supporter
To the ancients a star was a point of light in the heavens that was seen regularly; sometimes a comet would be called a 'hairy star' due to its visible tail. In this case the star may have been a comet or asteroid carrying poisonous compounds such as cyanide (CN); this is well known to astronomers. The second and third trumpets may refer to the same astronomical body affecting both sea water and fresh water. Equally likely, a large space satellite or space station will release large stores of chemical weapons as it falls to earth. Nuclear radiation would be ruled out since it is odorless and tasteless. The fact that the name 'Wormwood' is given to the star may mean that people knew of the chemical weapons it carried in advance of the star's fall. This would favor the space station interpretation.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
In Rev 8:11, the name Wormwood is figurative, given to a great star which, at the sounding of the third angel's trumpet, fell from heaven upon the third part of the rivers and on the fountains of the waters, turning them to a bitterness of which many died. Revelation 8:11 draws a connection between the celestial Wormwood and the earthly plant. While the biblical text doesn't explicitly state the nature of the celestial Wormwood, the symbolic significance of the plant's bitter taste is intriguing. It's important to note that interpretations of biblical passages can vary widely, and there is no single definitive answer. Different scholars and religious traditions may offer different perspectives on the meaning of Wormwood. Revelation 8:10-11 describes a star named Wormwood falling from the sky and poisoning a third of the earth's waters. This event is often interpreted as a symbol of the bitter consequences of sin or divine judgment. The name "Wormwood" is likely a reference to the wormwood plant's bitter taste, emphasizing this event's destructive nature. "Wormwood in Revelation 8:11 is a leafy plant that causes water to become bitter. Though wormwood is not poisonous, it can be combined with other elements that are (e.g., Deut 29:18, where 'poisonous and bitter fruit' is actually 'gall and wormwood'; Lam 3:19). The object from the sky makes the waters bitter." --Faithlife Study Bible "The symbolic significance of Wormwood in Revelation 8:11 highlights the contrast between the life-giving waters of Scripture and the bitter, destructive nature of heresy. "The comparison to the bitter waters of Marah and their subsequent sweetening is particularly striking. It underscores the idea that divine intervention can transform even the most dire circumstances. "Alford's interpretation, drawing a parallel to the destructive power of alcohol, provides a tangible example of how something initially beneficial can become a source of great harm. This interpretation adds depth to the symbolic meaning of Wormwood, suggesting that it may represent a perversion of divine truth that leads to spiritual and moral decay." -- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary But I believe that this passage describes a literal event that will occur in the future, possibly involving a celestial object or a natural disaster that poisons water sources.
Add your Answer
All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.
A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.
- Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
- Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
- Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
- Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
- For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible