Bible Verses About Bitterness

The following Bible verses provide a biblical concept of bitterness. Feel free to use the list for a Bible study or group discussion material. Please keep in mind that these verses are taken out of the original context. In order to gain a better understanding of the meaning it's important to study each passage thoroughly. A careful systematic study ensures accurate interpretation of the biblical text.

Ruth 1:12-13
Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me-even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons- would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD's hand has gone out against me!"

Ruth 1:20
"Don't call me Naomi," she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.

1 Samuel 1:10
In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.

Deuteronomy 29:18
Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.

1 Samuel 30:6
David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

2 Samuel 2:26
Abner called out to Joab, "Must the sword devour forever? Don't you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their brothers?"

Job 7:11
"Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Job 10:1
I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.

Job 21:25
Another man dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good.

Job 23:2
Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

Job 27:2
As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made me taste bitterness of soul,

Psalm 71:20
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

Proverbs 14:10
Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.

Proverbs 17:25
A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.

Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Hebrews 12:15
See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

James 3:14
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

Source: Holy Bible, New International Version