Original Word: πικραίνω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: pikrainó
Pronunciation: pik-rah'-ee-no
Phonetic Spelling: (pik-rah'-ee-no)
Definition: To make bitter, to embitter, to exasperate
Meaning: I make bitter, embitter; pass: I grow angry or harsh.

embitter.

From pikros; to embitter (literally or figuratively) -- be (make) bitter.

see GREEK pikros

Word Origin
from pikros
Definition
to make bitter
NASB Translation
embittered (1), made bitter (2), make...bitter (1).

STRONGS NT 4087: πικραίνω

πικραίνω: future πικράνω; passive, present πικραίνομαι; 1 aorist ἐπικρανθην; (πικρός, which see);

1. properly, to make bitter: τά ὕδατα, passive, Revelation 8:11; τήν κοιλίαν, to produce a bitter taste in the stomach (Vulg.amarico), Revelation 10:9f.

2. tropically, to embitter, exasperate, i. e. render angry, indignant; passive, to be embittered, irritated (Plato, Demosthenes, others): πρός τινα, Colossians 3:19 (Athen. 6, p. 242 c.; ἐπί τινα, Exodus 16:20; Jeremiah 44:15 (); 1 Esdr. 4:31; (ἐν τίνι, Ruth 1:20)); contextually equivalent to to visit with bitterness, to grieve (deal bitterly with), Job 27:2; Macc. 3:7. (Compare: παραπικραίνω.)

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word πικρός (pikros), meaning "bitter."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H4843 מָרַר (marar): To be bitter, to make bitter.
• H4751 מַר (mar): Bitter, bitterness.
• H4784 מָרָה (marah): To be rebellious, to be disobedient, often associated with bitterness in spirit.

These Hebrew terms reflect similar themes of bitterness and rebellion, providing a broader biblical context for understanding the concept of bitterness as it appears in both the Old and New Testaments.

Usage: The verb πικραίνω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of making something bitter, either literally or metaphorically. It can refer to causing bitterness in taste or in spirit, often implying a sense of provocation or irritation.

Context: The Greek verb πικραίνω appears in the New Testament in contexts that convey both literal and metaphorical bitterness. In its literal sense, it can refer to the physical taste of something that is bitter. More commonly, however, it is used metaphorically to describe emotional or relational bitterness.

In the New Testament, πικραίνω is used in passages that address interpersonal relationships and the condition of the heart. For example, in Colossians 3:19, husbands are admonished, "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them." Here, the term "harsh" is translated from πικραίνω, indicating a warning against embittering one's spouse through harsh treatment.

The concept of bitterness is often associated with sin and its consequences, as bitterness can lead to resentment and division within the body of Christ. The New Testament encourages believers to rid themselves of bitterness and instead pursue peace and reconciliation, as seen in 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."

The use of πικραίνω in the New Testament underscores the importance of maintaining harmonious relationships and guarding against the corrosive effects of bitterness. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of love and forgiveness in the Christian life.

επικρανθη επικράνθη ἐπικράνθη επικρανθησαν επικράνθησαν ἐπικράνθησαν μὴ πικραινεσθε πικραίνεσθε πικραινομένη πικράναί πικράνας πικρανει πικρανεί πικρανεῖ πικρανθήσονται πικρασμώ epikranthe epikranthē epikránthe epikránthē epikranthesan epikranthēsan epikránthesan epikránthēsan me mē pikrainesthe pikraínesthe pikranei pikraneîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts