Hemlock (1.) Heb. rosh (Hosea 10:4; rendered "gall" in Deuteronomy 29:18; Deuteronomy 1:32; Psalms 69:21; Jeremiah 9:15; Jeremiah 1:23; "poison," Job 20:16; "venom," Deuteronomy 32:33). "Rosh is the name of some poisonous plant which grows quickly and luxuriantly; of a bitter taste, and therefore coupled with wormwood (Deuteronomy 29:18; Lamentations 3:19). Hence it would See m to be not the hemlock cicuta, nor the colocynth or wild gourd, nor lolium darnel, but the poppy so called from its heads" (Gesenius, Lex.).
(2.) Heb. la'anah, generally rendered "wormwood" (q.v.), Deuteronomy 29:18, Text 17; Proverbs 5:4; Jeremiah 9:15; Jeremiah 1:23. Once it is rendered "hemlock" (Amos 6:12; R.V., "wormwood"). This Hebrew word is from a root meaning "to curse," hence the accursed.