GALL (רֹאשׁ֮, H8032, χολή, G5958). The poisonous herb mentioned eight times in the OT (e.g., Deut 29:18; Ps 69:21; Lam 3:19), has been described as “venom from a snake,” so bitter and poisonous was it thought to be. It is likely therefore, not to be the same herb that was mixed with the vinegar given to the Lord (Matt 27:34). In fact, trs. have used the word rō’sh to mean hemlock—a poisonous plant (Hos 10:4).

Unfortunately, wormwood also is rendered as “hemlock,” and hemlock rendered as “gall,” so there is obviously some ambiguity.

The poisonous bitterness may come from the Colocynth (see Vine of Sodom). It is the inner pulp which is poisonous and strongly bitter. On the other hand, the gall in Matthew 27:34 may be an herb to give a slightly bitter taste. The drink offered the Lord could have been a normal Rom. alcoholic beverage.

The belief that the gall comes from the poppy, whose juice is certainly bitter, is feasible. A solution of poppy heads in water could describe that mentioned by the text in Jeremiah 9:15—“water of gall to drink.” Since one cannot really pinpoint the full meaning of the word, “rō’sh” might easily be any poisonous or semipoisonous bitter herb grown in Pal. at that time.