Revelation 8:11

11 And the name of the star was called Wormwood, and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the waters because they were made bitter.

Revelation 8:11 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 8:11

And the name of the star is called Wormwood
Because of the bitter afflictions, sorrows, and distresses which it was the instrument of; just as Naomi called herself Mara, because the Almighty had dealt bitterly with her, ( Ruth 1:20 ) ;

and the third part of the waters became wormwood;
that is, the inhabitants of the provinces and cities belonging to the Roman empire were afflicted with grievous and bitter afflictions and calamities; so great distresses are called wormwood, and waters of gall given to drink, ( Jeremiah 9:15 ) ( Lamentations 3:19 ) ;

and many men died of the waters, because they were bitter;
through the barbarities and cruelties of these savage people, who afflicted the empire: there seems to be an allusion to ( Exodus 15:23 ) .

Revelation 8:11 In-Context

9 and a third of the creatures in the sea--the ones which had life--died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

10 And the third angel blew the trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.

11 And the name of the star was called Wormwood, and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the waters because they were made bitter.

12 And the fourth angel blew the trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened, and the day did not shine [with respect to] a third of it, and the night likewise.

13 And I looked, and I heard one eagle flying {directly overhead}, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to those who live on the earth, from the remaining sounds of the trumpets of the three angels who are about to blow the trumpet!"