Gall
Y O U N G A P E O P L E ’ S A D I C T I O N A R YA O FA S C R I P T U R A L • & • R E L I G I O U S AT E R M S
The word gall is found fourteen times in the Word of God—12 times in the Old Testament
and 2 times in the New Testament. It has different meanings.
One meaning is refers to a herb which has a bitter taste. This herb can be used for a variety
of things, even being used as part of a mixture of incense. Another use of the word gall
refers to the way a person feels.
The most common meaning used for gall in Scripture refers to the taste of bitterness such as
the following verses record: “They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they
gave me vinegar to drink” (Psa.69:21). These prophetic words are from the Lord Jesus and
refer to the coming time when He would suffer on the cross. Gall in this case refers to the
same thing as is often called myrrh.
This above form of gall is a kind of medicine. However, it must be used carefully by knowledgable people, because if it is mixed wrongly it is poisonous. The normal taste of gall is a
very bitter taste.
Gall also is used as a term for feeling bitter, upset or angered. The following verse suggests
this thought. “For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of
iniquity” (Acts 8:23).
Sometimes we hear someone say, “The boss got upset at me today. What he said to me
really galled me!”.
At times, in Scripture, gall refers to the bile produced by the liver—a vital material for life,
but very bitter by nature.