Psalms 69:21 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּתְּנ֣וּ בְּבָרוּתִ֣י רֹ֑אשׁ וְ֝לִצְמָאִ֗י יַשְׁק֥וּנִי חֹֽמֶץ׃
BSAreproachcherpâh to breakshâbar heartlêb be sicknûwsh△ to awaitqâvâh to wandernûwd nothingʼayin to be sorrynâcham notlôʼ to findmâtsâʼ
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּתְּנ֣וּ | and they put | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| בְּבָרוּתִ֣י | in food my | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| רֹ֑אשׁ | poison | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְ֝לִצְמָאִ֗י | and for thirst my | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| יַשְׁק֥וּנִי | they gave to drink me | Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine plural, suffix |
| חֹֽמֶץ׃ | vinegar | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst. |
| KJV | They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. |
| ASV | They gave me also gall for my food; And in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. |
| YLT | And they give for my food gall, And for my thirst cause me to drink vinegar. |
| WEB | They also gave me poison for my food. In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink. |
| BBE | They gave me poison for my food; and bitter wine for my drink. |
Where they part company is חֹֽמֶץ — see How Translations Differ.
One main verb with two actions described, highlighting the dual nature of the psalmist's suffering.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׁבַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 69:21
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Lament of Sufferinggenerated
Psalm 69:21 expresses the psalmist's deep anguish as he recounts being given gall and vinegar, symbols of bitterness and suffering. This lament captures feelings of betrayal and isolation, as the psalmist seeks relief but finds none. The surrounding verses (20-22) emphasize the intensity of his emotional pain and the desire for comfort, which remains unfulfilled.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 8:14 | Why are we just sitting here? Gather together, let us flee to the fortified cities and perish there, for the LORD our God has doomed us. He has given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 9:15 | Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will feed this people wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 23:15 | Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: “I will feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.” |
| 4 | Matthew 27:34–48 | they offered Him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it. |
| 5 | Mark 15:23–36 | There they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — רֹ֑אשׁ, Roshgenerated
The Hebrew word רֹ֑אשׁ (ro'sh) refers to a bitter and poisonous herb, often associated with venom or poison. It indicates something harmful, possibly derived from a plant like the poppy, and is used to convey bitterness or toxicity in various contexts.
In this verse, it is used to describe the gall given to the psalmist, symbolizing the pain and suffering inflicted upon him. The parsing indicates it is a masculine singular noun, emphasizing its role as a significant object in the act of poisoning.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb וַיִּתְּנ֣וּ (and they put) governs the entire verse, with two phrases hanging off it: a noun phrase describing the food and a second verb phrase indicating the drink given to the psalmist.
The structure emphasizes the actions taken against the psalmist, with the sequence of giving food and drink illustrating the depth of his suffering.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיִּתְּנ֣וּ as προσεδόκησεν, which means 'they offered' or 'they gave.' This choice indicates a more formal or ritualistic presentation of the act, possibly highlighting the intentionality behind the act of offering bitterness.
This translation reflects a slight widening of the Hebrew meaning, focusing on the act of giving rather than merely putting.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 69:21 tells us that the psalmist feels deep pain and betrayal as he describes being given gall and vinegar. These bitter substances symbolize his suffering and the lack of comfort in his distress.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The gall symbolizes bitterness and suffering inflicted upon the psalmist, reflecting his emotional and physical anguish.
Vinegar represents a sour, unpleasant drink, further emphasizing the psalmist's suffering and the lack of compassion from others.
This verse is referenced in the New Testament during the crucifixion of Jesus, where He was offered vinegar, fulfilling the prophecy of suffering.
The psalmist expresses feelings of betrayal, despair, and a longing for comfort, which he does not receive.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced bitterness or betrayal in my life, similar to the psalmist?
- How can I find comfort in times of distress, as the psalmist seeks?
- What does this verse teach me about the nature of suffering?
- How can I support others who are experiencing pain or betrayal?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers reference this verse to discuss the suffering of Christ, using it to highlight the fulfillment of prophecy.
However, we must know that Psalms 68 [LXX], which contains the statement, "The zeal of your house has devoured me," and a little later "They gave me gall for my food,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 69 →
And they gave Him gall to drink, and this to insult Him, but He would not. But another saith, that having tasted it, He said, "It is finished." And what meaneth, "It is finished?" The prophecy was fulfilled concerning Him.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 69 →
Psalms 68 [LXX] also includes in its title the words "for the things that will be entirely changed." This psalm sings of the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, assuming to himself even certain words of his members, that is, of his faithful.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 69 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 69:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThey gave me also gall for my meat,.... Either some bitter herb mentioned with wormwood and hemlock, Deuteronomy 29:18; or the gall of some animal The Targum renders it, "the gall of the heads of
Read John Gill on Psalms 69 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 69 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleGall, or poison, or bitter herbs, . See . Instead of giving me that pity and comfort which my condition required, they barbarously added to my afflictions. These things were metaphorically fulfilled in David, but properly and literally h Christ, the description of whose sufferings was principally intended here by the Holy Ghost, who therefore directed David’ s pen to these words, and possibly informed him that this should be accomplished in Christ; which may not seem improbable to him that considers the following imprecations, which are so many and so severe, that they may seem to exceed the bounds of justice and charity, if they be applied to David’ s enemies, as a recompence for their…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 69 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 69:21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.Ver. 21. They gave me also gall for my meat] Venenum vel eicutam; and so showed themselves miserable comforters. And in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink] This befell David in figure, but Christ in the letter, Matthew 27:34. It were happy if the vinegar given him might melt our adamantine hearts into godly sorrow.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 69 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(21) Gall.—Heb., rôsh, i.e., head. (Comp. poppy heads. See Deuteronomy 32:32.) In Hosea 10:4 it is translated hemlock, but is most probably the poppy (papaver arenarium), which grows everywhere in Palestine, and answers all the conditions. The rendering, gall, comes from the LXX. Vinegar.—Sour wine would not be rejected as unpalatable (see Note Rth 2:14). It was forbidden to Nazarites as a luxury (Numbers 6:3). Was the author of the psalm possibly a Nazarite? or are the expressions in the psalm merely figurative. Comp. “The banquet where the meats became As wormwood.” —: Elaine.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 69 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 21. They gave me also gall for my meat] Even the food, necessary to preserve us in their slavery, was frequently mingled with what rendered it unpleasant and disgusting, though not absolutely unwholesome. And vinegar, sour small wines, was given us for our beverage. This is applied to our Lord, Matthew 27:34, where the reader is requested to consult the notes.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 69 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges21. This verse is connected with the preceding one. Not content with merely refusing sympathy, they aggravated and embittered his sufferings, as though one were to mock a hungry man by offering him bitter and poisonous food, or a thirsty man by giving him sour and undrinkable wine. The language is plainly metaphorical: cp. Jeremiah 8:14; Jeremiah 9:15; Jeremiah 23:15. The Heb. word rôsh, rendered gall (LXX ÷ïëÞ, Vulg. and Jer. fel), denotes some bitter and poisonous plant, which cannot however be identified with certainty. Tristram (Nat. Hist. of Bible, p. 447) thinks that the Poppy is the plant intended. “Papaver arenarium grows everywhere in Palestine; it springs up very quickly in…
Read Cambridge on Psalms 69 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThey gave me also - My enemies; all persons around me. No one would show me even so much kindness as to give me food when I was hungry, or drink when I was thirsty. They utterly forsook me; they left me to die unpitied.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 69 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst.
They also gave me poison for my food. In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink.
They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst.
They put bitter poison into my food, and to quench my thirst they give me vinegar to drink.
Tyndale line
They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
They gave me also gall for my food; And in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
They gave me also gall for my food; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
For they gaue me gall in my meate, and in my thirst they gaue me vineger to drinke.
Strictly literal
Yea, they gave me gall for my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
And they give for my food gall, And for my thirst cause me to drink vinegar.
And they give gall for my food, || And cause me to drink vinegar for my thirst.
(69:22) And they put into my food gall; and in my thirst they give me vinegar to drink.
They gave me poison for my food; in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
Simplified
Instead they gave me bitter herbs to eat and vinegar to drink.
They gave me poison for my food; and bitter wine for my drink.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse. The Septuagint matches all six words of the Hebrew text, indicating a consistent understanding of the psalmist's lament.
וַיִּתְּנ֣וּ בְּבָרוּתִ֣י רֹ֑אשׁ וְ֝לִצְמָאִ֗י יַשְׁק֥וּנִי חֹֽמֶץ׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 69:21
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word נָתַן (natan) means 'to give' and encompasses a wide range of applications such as putting, setting, and making. It can also indicate actions like bestowing, delivering, and assigning. The entries describe its use in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hophal, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.
נָתַן 2007 vb. give, put, set
Qal 1917
give
Put, set
Make, constitute
Niph.
82be given
Be put, set
Hoph.
be given, bestowed
= be given to one for wife
be put upon
base
H5414 נָתַן give, put, set .. give
. Put, set
. Make, constitute
. . be given
. Be put, set
. . . be given, bestowed
. = be given to one for wife
. be put upon
5414 nathan naw-than'
a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of
application (put, make, etc.):--add, apply, appoint, ascribe,
assign, X avenge, X be ((healed)), bestow, bring (forth,
hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, +
cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, X doubtless, X
without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up),
grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up),
(give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that,
occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X
pull , put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send
(out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), + sing, + slander,
strike, (sub-)mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade,
turn, utter, + weep, + willingly, + withdraw, + would (to)
God, yield.
נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: give.
: give/deliver/send/produce
1) to give, put, set
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend
1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate
1a3) to make, constitute
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned
1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up
1c2) to be put upon
נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: put.
: put/set/apppoint
1) to give, put, set
1a) (Qal)
Hc/Vqw3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/Vqw3mp
put (puT; Phoud, in Genesis and Chronicles, variant for Genesis Phout, for Chronicles, Phouth):
1. Renderings:
In consequence of the identification at the time, the prophets have "Libya" (Libues), except Nab 3:9, where the Greek renders the word as phuge, "flight." The Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) has "Phut," "Phuth," and in the Prophets "Libyes" and "Libya"; the King James Version "Phut."
2. Son of Ham:
In the "Table of Nations" Put is the third son of Ham (Ge 10:6), the first and second being Cush and Misraim, and the fourth Canaan. Put is the only one of the sons of Ham who is not credited with descendants.
3. As Nationality:
In the Prophets, warriors from Put are referred to, principally in connection with the forces of Egypt. They appear as shield-bearers (Jer 46:9…
(1 Chronicles 1:8; Nahum 3:9) [PHUT, PUT]
→ See PHUT
בָּרוּת (baruwth) means 'food' or 'meat.' It is derived from the root word for food, H1262. The term appears in Psalm 69:22, where it is used in the context of sustenance.
[בָּרוּת] n.f. food; ψ 69:22 in (or as) my food.
ref
H1267 בָּרוּת
1267 baruwth baw-rooth,
from 1262; food:--meat.
see HEBREW for 01262
בָּרוּת (ba.rut) — food.
food
HR/Ncfsc/Sp1bs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncfsc/Sp1bs
רֹאשׁ (ro'sh) refers to a bitter and poisonous herb, often associated with venom or poison. The entries suggest it may specifically denote a plant like the poppy, and it is used figuratively to indicate bitterness or toxicity. The term appears in contexts related to poison, gall, and hemlock.
רֹאשׁ and רוֹשׁ n.m. a bitter and poisonous herb, then venom, alw. fig.
base
H7219 רֹאשׁ and רוֹשׁ a bitter and poisonous herb, then venom, alw. fig.
7219 ro'sh roshe
or rowsh (Deut. 32:32) {roshe}; apparently the same as 7218;
a poisonous plant, probably the poppy (from its conspicuous
head); generally poison (even of serpents):--gall, hemlock,
poison, venom.
see HEBREW for 07218
רֹאשׁ (rosh) — poison.
gall, venom, bitter, poisonous
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
poi'-z'-n (chemah, ro'-sh; thumos, ios): Residents in Palestine must, from the first, have been acquainted with venomous serpents. Six species of these are widely diffused in the land, and at least three of them are fairly common in places. Besides, there are scorpions, centipedes and the large spider, which are as much dreaded by the fellahin as are the serpents, not to speak of the minor but very serious discomforts of mosquitoes, sandflies and ticks, some of which were credited with lethal powers. In The Wisdom of Solomon 16:9 the Revised Version (British and American) we read that "the bites of locusts and flies did slay, and there was not found a healing for their life." There are also many poisonous plants, such as belladonna, henbane, thorn apple, and the opium poppy. None of these is mentioned in the Bible; the only names found there are the hemlock (Conium maculatum) of
Poison
(1.) Heb. hemah, “heat,” the poison of certain venomous reptiles (Deut. 32:24, 33; Job 6:4; Ps. 58:4), causing inflammation.
(2.) Heb. rosh, “a head,” a poisonous plant (Deut. 29:18), growing luxuriantly (Hos. 10:4), of a bitter taste (Ps. 69:21; Lam. 3:5), and coupled with wormwood; probably the poppy. This word is rendered “gall”, q.v., (Deut. 29:18; 32:33; Ps. 69:21;
The Hebrew word צָמָא (tsama') means 'thirst' and can refer to both literal and figurative thirst. It is derived from the root word צָמָא (H6770). All entries consistently define it as thirst, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
צָמָא n.[m.] thirst
base
H6772 צָמָא thirst
6772 tsama' tsaw-maw'
from 6770; thirst (literally or figuratively):--thirst(-y).
see HEBREW for 06770
צָמָא (tsa.ma) — thirst.
thirst
HC/R/Ncmsc/Sp1bs — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/R/Ncmsc/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word שָׁקָה (sha.qah) is a primitive root meaning to cause to drink or to water. It covers the act of giving drink to both animals and plants, as well as the concept of irrigation. The entries indicate various grammatical forms, including Hiphil, Pual, and Niphal, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.
[שָׁקָה] vb. Hiph. cause to drink water, give to drink
Hiph. water, irrigate, ground
water, give drink to
Pu. the marrow of his bones is watered, (refreshed, invigorated).
base
H8248 שָׁקָה Hiph. cause to drink water, give to drink
8248 shaqah shaw-kaw'
a primitive root; to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or
furnish a potion to:--cause to (give, give to, let, make to)
drink, drown, moisten, water. See 7937, 8354.
see HEBREW for 07937
see HEBREW for 08354
שָׁקָה (sha.qah) — to water: watering.
: watering(ANIMALS/PLANTS)
1) to give to drink, irrigate, drink, water, cause to drink water
1a) (Hiphil)
1a1) to water, irrigate
1a2) to water, give drink to
1b) (Pual) to be watered
1c) (Niphal) variant
שָׁקָה (sha.qah) — to water: drink.
: drink(PEOPLE)
1) to give to drink, irrigate, drink, water, cause to drink water
1a) (Hiphil)
1a1) to water, irrigate
1a2) to water, give drink to
1b) (Pual) to be watered
1c) (Niphal) variant
שָׁקָה (sha.qah) — to water: cupbearer.
: cupbearer
1) to give to drink, irrigate, drink, water, cause to drink water
1a) (Hiphil)
1a1) to water, irrigate
1a2) to water, give drink to
1b) (Pual) to be watered
1c) (Niphal) variant
HVhi3mp/Sp1bs — Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine plural · suffixHVhi3mp/Sp1bs
חֹ֫מֶץ (chomets) means vinegar. It is derived from the root word for sourness, indicating its sharp taste. The entries consistently define it as vinegar without significant variation.
חֹ֫מֶץ n.m. vinegar
base
H2558 חֹ֫מֶץ vinegar
2558 chomets kho'-mets
from 2556; vinegar:--vinegar.
see HEBREW for 02556
חֹ֫מֶץ (cho.mets) — vinegar.
vinegar
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
vin'-e-ger (chomets; oxos): Vinegar, whose use as a condiment (Ru 2:14) needs no comment, is formed when a saccharine fluid passes through a fermentation that produces acetic acid. In the ancient world vinegar was usually made of wine, although any fruit juice can be utilized in its manufacture, and "vinegar of strong drink" (palm juice?) is mentioned in Nu 6:3. Undiluted vinegar is of course undrinkable, and to offer it to a thirsty man is mockery (Ps 69:21), but a mixture of water and vinegar makes a beverage that was very popular among the poor (Greek oxos, oxukraton, Latin posca--names applied also to diluted sour wine). It is mentioned in Nu 6:3 (forbidden to the…
Vinegar
Heb. hometz, Gr. oxos, Fr. vin aigre; i.e., “sour wine.” The Hebrew word is rendered vinegar in Ps. 69:21, a prophecy fulfilled in the history of the crucifixion (Matt. 27:34). This was the common sour wine (posea) daily made use of by the Roman soldiers. They gave it to Christ, not in derision, but from compassion, to assuage his thirst. Prov. 10:26 shows that there was also a stronger vinegar, which was not fit for drinking. The comparison, “vinegar upon nitre,” probably means “vinegar upon soda” (as in the marg. of the R.V.), which then effervesces.
The Hebrew word translated "vinegar" was applied to a beverage consisting generally of wine or strong drink turned sour, but sometimes artificially made by an admixture of barley and wine, and thus liable to fermentation. It was acid even to a proverb, (Proverbs 10:26) and by itself formed an unpleasant draught, (Psalms 49:21) but was used by laborers. (Ruth 2:14) Similar was the acetum of the Romans --a thin, sour wine, consumed by soldiers. This was the beverage of which the Saviour partook in his dying moments. (Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36; John 19:29,30)
Poor or sour wine, the produce of the second or acetous fermentation of vinous liquors. The term sometimes designates a thin, sour wine, much used by laborers and by the Roman soldiers, Nu 6:3 Ru 2:14 2Ch 2:10 Joh 19:29. See GALL. In other places it denotes the common sharp vinegar, which furnished the wise man with two significant illustrations, Pr 10:26 25:20.