What does רֹאשׁ (rōʾš) mean in the Bible?
רֹאשׁ (rōʾš): Poison whose identity remains uncertain; metaphorically bitter fruit of injustice and divine judgment in Deuteronomic theology
Hebrew · H7219
רֹאשׁ
A poisonous plant , probably the poppy (from its conspicuous head); generally poison (even of serpents)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
רֹאשׁH7219
Pronunciationrōʾš
What does רֹאשׁ (rōʾš) mean in the Bible?
רֹאשׁ (rōʾš): Poison whose identity remains uncertain; metaphorically bitter fruit of injustice and divine judgment in Deuteronomic theology
Full entry for רֹאשׁ (H7219) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H7219?
The BSB source-word alignment has 12 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include and give them poisoned (2), and the gall (1), are poisonous (1), He has given us poisoned (1), into poison (1).
Where does רֹאשׁ (rōʾš) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Deuteronomy 29:18. Its strongest book concentrations include Deuteronomy (3), Jeremiah (3), Lamentations (2), Amos (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itand give them poisoned2×Jeremiah 9:15, Jeremiah 23:15
and the gall1×Lamentations 3:19
are poisonous1×Deuteronomy 32:32
He has given us poisoned1×Jeremiah 8:14
into poison1×Amos 6:12
like poisonous weeds1×Hosea 10:4
poison1×Deuteronomy 32:33
such poisonous1×Deuteronomy 29:18
the poison1×Job 20:16
with bitterness1×Lamentations 3:5
with gall1×Psalms 69:21
Show sample aligned rows
Deuteronomy 29:18רֹ֖אשׁtosuch poisonousNoun - masculine singularDeuteronomy 32:32ר֔וֹשׁtoare poisonousNoun - masculine singularDeuteronomy 32:33וְרֹ֥אשׁtopoisonConjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructJob 20:16רֹאשׁ־tothe poisonNoun - masculine singular constructPsalms 69:21רֹ֑אשׁtowith gallNoun - masculine singularJeremiah 8:14רֹ֔אשׁtoHe has given us poisonedNoun - masculine singularJeremiah 9:15רֹֽאשׁ׃toand give them poisonedNoun - masculine singularJeremiah 23:15רֹ֑אשׁtoand give them poisonedNoun - masculine singularLamentations 3:5רֹ֥אשׁtowith bitternessNoun - masculine singularLamentations 3:19וָרֹֽאשׁ׃toand the gallConjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowDeuteronomy 29:18
Aligned rows12
Books represented7
Deuteronomy3Job1Psalms1Jeremiah3Lamentations2Hosea1Amos1
Source forms
רֹ֑אשׁ2xrōšPsalms 69:21, Jeremiah 23:15
וְרֹ֥אשׁ1xwə·rōšDeuteronomy 32:33
וָרֹֽאשׁ׃1xwā·rōšLamentations 3:19
כָּרֹאשׁ֙1xkā·rōšHosea 10:4
לְרֹאשׁ֙1xlə·rōšAmos 6:12
רֹ֖אשׁ1xrōšDeuteronomy 29:18
רֹ֔אשׁ1xrōšJeremiah 8:14
רֹ֥אשׁ1xrōšLamentations 3:5
Parsing patterns
Noun - masculine singular7xDeuteronomy 29:18, Deuteronomy 32:32, Psalms 69:21, Jeremiah 8:14
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular1xLamentations 3:19
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct1xDeuteronomy 32:33
Noun - masculine singular construct1xJob 20:16
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular1xHosea 10:4
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular1xAmos 6:12
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Poison whose identity remains uncertain; metaphorically bitter fruit of injustice and divine judgment in Deuteronomic theology
Source Gloss
a poisonous plant , probably the poppy (from its conspicuous head); generally poison (even of serpents)
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Poison whose identity remains uncertain; metaphorically bitter fruit of injustice and divine judgment in Deuteronomic theology
a poisonous plant, probably the poppy (from its conspicuous head); generally poison (even of serpents) BDB: venom Usage: gall, hemlock, poison, venom.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
Metaphorical poison of serpents, representing spiritual danger and divine judgment
Bitter substance given as drink, symbolizing suffering and humiliation in distress
Showing 2 selected witnesses from 12 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.