ἄψινθος (apsinthos)
apsinthos
wormwood
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun apsinthos refers to wormwood, a plant known for its intensely bitter taste. In Scripture, it appears only once, in Revelation 8:11, where it serves as a proper name for the star that falls from heaven during the third trumpet judgment.
This event transforms fresh water into something poisonous and bitter, causing many to die. The imagery draws on the plant’s natural properties to symbolize divine judgment and suffering, contrasting sharply with the life-giving waters of creation.
Its singular usage underscores the severity of this particular plague. By naming the star Wormwood, the text links cosmic disturbance directly to human pain, using a familiar botanical reference to convey spiritual and physical corruption.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apsinthos appears only once in Scripture, in Revelation 8:11. It names a star that falls from heaven, turning fresh water into something poisonous and bitter. This image uses a plant known for its intense taste to symbolize divine judgment and suffering. The contrast with life-giving waters highlights the severity of this plague.
For your faith, this word reminds us that sin and rebellion have real consequences. It calls attention to the seriousness of turning away from God’s provision. Yet, it also points to the hope of restoration, where bitterness is replaced by healing. This singular usage underscores the gravity of spiritual corruption and the need for repentance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- wormwood,1×
- Wormwood;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἄψινθος·1×
- ἄψινθον,1×
Key Verses
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Revelation of John 8:11
The name of the star is “Wormwood.” One third of the waters became wormwood. Many people died from the waters, because they were made bitter.
This verse uniquely uses apsinthos as a proper name for a star, linking cosmic judgment directly to physical suffering through the metaphor of bitter water.