And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

REVELATION 8:11KJV
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Revelation 8:11 (KJV)

What does Revelation 8:11 mean?

Revelation 8:11 describes a star named Wormwood falling from heaven, turning a third of the waters bitter, and causing many people to die from drinking these poisoned waters. The verse uses vivid imagery to show a disastrous event affecting the earth’s water supply during a time of judgment.

In the book of Revelation, John is describing a vision where angels sound trumpets, each bringing a different calamity. Here, the third trumpet sounds, and a star called Wormwood (a plant known for its bitterness) falls and poisons part of the world’s waters. The focus is on the bitterness and deadly effect, not just physical but also symbolic of hardship or judgment.

The Greek behind Revelation 8:11

  • ἀψίνθιον (apsinthion, "Wormwood"): This word refers to a bitter plant, often associated with sorrow or calamity in the Bible. Its use here emphasizes the extreme bitterness and harmfulness of the waters.
  • πικρός (pikros, "bitter"): The Greek word for “bitter” highlights that the waters are not just unpleasant but dangerously undrinkable, leading to death.
  • ὕδωρ (hydōr, "waters"): The word for “waters” refers to fresh water sources, showing that the disaster affects essential resources for life.

Why Revelation 8:11 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the judgment is not just symbolic but has real, deadly consequences for people, affecting something as basic as drinking water.
  • The use of the name Wormwood connects this judgment to Old Testament imagery, where bitterness often symbolized suffering and divine punishment.
  • This verse fits into a series of escalating judgments in Revelation, helping readers see the increasing severity and scope of the events John describes.

Where else these words appear

“bitter” Greek G4087 · used in 4 verses

  • Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
  • Revelation 10:9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
  • Revelation 10:10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

“star” Greek G792 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
  • Revelation 6:13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

“part” Greek G5154 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • Luke 20:12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

“waters” Greek G5204 · used in 70 verses

  • Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
  • John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
  • Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.