πικρία
pikría
G4088 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Bitterness; the state or quality of having an acrid, sharp, or unpleasantly intense taste or feeling. In literal contexts, refers to the taste of something bitter or harsh. Figuratively, denotes deep-seated resentment, animosity, or a harsh mentality. Can also be used metaphorically for harsh or hostile speech or relationships, encompassing both emotional and interpersonal discord.
Semantic Range
bitterness (of taste), intensity or harshness (of feeling), resentment, animosity, hostile or acrid disposition, bitterness in relationships or words, figurative for emotional pain or discord
Root / Etymology
From the adjective πικρός ('bitter, sharp, pungent, harsh'). The ending -ία indicates a state, quality, or condition, thus πικρία expresses 'the condition of being bitter.' Cognate with similar abstract nouns in Greek denoting qualities or states.
Historical & Contextual Notes
πικρία is attested in classical Greek with reference to literal bitterness (as of taste or food), but by the Hellenistic era and in the Septuagint/NT, its metaphorical sense ('bitterness' of feeling or relationship) is prominent. Used in Hellenistic and Jewish-Greek literature for intense animosity, resentful spirit, or hostility in speech or attitude. In the New Testament (e.g. Ephesians 4:31; Acts 8:23), it describes rancor, resentful disposition, or deep-seated anger. Septuagint usage often renders Hebrew terms for 'bitterness' of both experience (e.g., hardship, suffering) and emotion. Later English translations sometimes limit the sense to 'bitterness' as a state of feeling, but the original sense ranges from gustatory harshness to emotional or relational hostility. Related terms: πικρός (bitter, sharp), πικραίνω (to make bitter, embitter).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from πικρός; acridity (especially poison), literally or figuratively:--bitterness.
Root Family
πικρία (pikria) — bitter, sharp, acrid; bitterness as a state
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4088-02 |
πικρίας | pikrias | N GEN F SG |
of bitterness | of bitterness | of bitterness | 3 |
G4088-01 |
πικρία | pikria | N NOM F SG |
bitterness | bitterness | bitterness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4088-02 |
Acts 8:23 | πικρίας | pikrias | N GEN F SG |
of bitterness | of bitterness | of bitterness |
G4088-02 |
Romans 3:14 | πικρίας | pikrias | N GEN F SG |
of bitterness | of bitterness | of bitterness |
G4088-01 |
Ephesians 4:31 | πικρία | pikria | N NOM F SG |
bitterness | bitterness | bitterness |
G4088-02 |
Hebrews 12:15 | πικρίας | pikrias | N GEN F SG |
of bitterness | of bitterness | of bitterness |