I will make a simple introduction into the science part of sour and bitter before going to the Bible material. Our “modern” knowledge of sour and bitter can transfer some metaphorical ideas associated with these two taste sensations.
In early-years studies of acids you were told they have a sour taste. Lemon juice, soft drinks, and certain types of candy may have been given as examples of things that are sour or acidic. Hydrogen ions (H+), their pH numbers between 0 and 6.9, and their ability to turn pH paper to a red color would have soon been added to define an acid. The strength of an acid is related to the hydrogen ion concentration and its reactivity. You will not find acid in the Bible but sour is used several times and is connected to grapes, wine, or vinegar.
Bitter tasting is how we describe a base or OH- or hydroxide ions. Their pH goes from 7.1 to 14 or higher; they turn pH paper blue. The best descriptor for bitter was a spoon of powered cocoa. It is an experience you do not forget. Concentration is again key to its reactivity. Soap and natron (Proverbs 25:20) is the connection to bases in the Bible. Bitter people and roots are used several times in Scripture.
Both acids and bases are corrosive. Strength and contact time will determine the reaction. If they are mixed together, they try to form H20 and “a salt”. I could push treaties as “neutral” but I won’t.
The FIRST aid for skin contact is running water and plenty of it; the second aid may be more complex. If either are swallowed the first aid can be more complicated because of internal reactions; know your chemical and the treatments for them from the label or MSDS.
Sour
I suggest using a text analysis website for your verse as translators do not always see it the same and use similar but not exactly the same word(s).
Strong’s Hebrew: 1155. בֹּ֫סֶר (boser) — unripe or sour grapes (biblehub.com)
ὄξος | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com oxos
There is a proverb in Jeremiah 31:29 and Ezekiel 18:2 (remember they are contemporaries) about fathers eating sour grapes (sin) and the children suffering for it. Father God put an end to that proverb with those two witnesses. The children have their teeth blunted or set on edge, that could be the feeling or reaction of an acid on teeth.
Oxos in the New Testament is used with sour wine or vinegar that was given to Jesus as a drink on the Cross, Matthew 27:48. Yes, that drink has a lot of history, prophecy, and science with it and I will not uncork all of those bottles here. Vinegar or “soured wine” was a common drink (See Ruth) in those days, water and spices were added to make it pleasing to the taste. I believe posca is what it is called today. Just leave wine uncovered for a few days and a fancy vinegar is now in your bottle. There are two possible reason the soldiers had vinegar: 1. It was posca. 2. Vinegar may have been used for cleaning; a sponge may have been in their helmets or they used them for cleaning. Xylospongium – Wikipedia It is not lost on me that the last thing Jesus consumed was soured grapes.
The etz that produces grapes, wine, vinegar, and raisins has a long history in the Bible. It starts with Noah getting drunk, there is the rules for Nazirites, and the drink (water and wine) that was used during our Lord’s last supper and communion. (For you Hebrew scholars, etz means wood or tree; well at least when Moses wrote Genesis. Later, another word for wood was added and vine tree is in the KJV. Vines are still wood, even though you are not making much from it.) There are two etz that have a long and varied metaphorical usage in the Bible: grapes and figs. Yes, there are other fruit trees (olives, dates) but those two have a lot of symbolism hanging from their branches. For “good and evil” those two fruits from a woody plant are ripe in my leaf and ink Scriptures. (Sorry, puns happen.) A little contrast here, grains (bread) produce beer or the “strong” drink in the Bible.
Bitter
Bitter can have several associated words if you go searching for it like bile and venom. It refers to human spirits, speech, and actions. The New Testament has four times it is used. (See πικρία | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com) The bitterroot in Hebrews 12:15 comes to my mind first. Many of the Hebrew words come from H4843. Job has three different words in it and Jeremiah has H8563 used twice.
Bitter is a problem. It can sit inside for a long time and quietly spread. It may affect your health and relationships without you knowing why. But take bitter and add sour, you will get the same reaction as vinegar and baking soda (natron); something will bubble up and be apparent.
Mark's Bible Study 