ירמיהו, פרק ט׳, פסוק י״ד

A severe divine decree takes shape through vivid imagery of bitter and poisonous food and drink, illustrating the heavy weight of an impending punishment. Unlike many prophecies of doom that are destined to unfold over many years and fall upon future generations, God makes it clear that this specific punishment is focused directly on the current generation [רד״ק, מלבי״ם].

The punishment unfolds in two stages, depicted as eating and drinking. First, God will feed the people wormwood, a profoundly bitter plant [רש״י, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Following this, He will force them to drink a toxic liquid. Opinions differ regarding the exact nature of this drink. Some explain it as the juice squeezed from a highly bitter and poisonous herb [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others suggest it refers to the venom of a viper, which is produced in the snake's head and is considered the most lethal of all poisons [רש״י, רד״ק, אברבנאל].

These foods and drinks are not meant to be taken literally. They serve as a metaphor for the severe hardships, such as war and exile, that God will bring upon the nation [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, אברבנאל]. The chosen plants and toxins do more than just leave a bad taste; they actively poison, intoxicate, and stun the victim [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The use of this specific imagery is highly intentional, reflecting a strict principle of measure for measure. Because the people nourished their souls with bitter actions and poisonous beliefs that caused their own corruption, God responds in kind by feeding them a correspondingly bitter and toxic spiritual diet [מלבי״ם].