Deuteronomy 29:18

“Lest there should be among you man or woman, or family, or tribe, etc.] These words stand in connection with (<052915>Deuteronomy 29:15), with (<052916>Deuteronomy 29:16,17) being in a parenthesis, as may be observed, and show the design of this solemn appearance of the people, and their entering afresh into covenant; which was to prevent their falling into idolatry, and preserve them from it, whether a single person of either sex, or a whole family, or even a tribe, which might be in danger of being infected with it, and so all the people: whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God, to go [and] serve the gods of those nations; whose heart is enticed and drawn aside at the…”

“The word here and in Deuteronomy 32:32 rendered “gall,” is in Hosea 10:4 translated “hemlock.” It is the name of a plant of intense bitterness, and of quick growth; and is therefore repeatedly used in conjunction with “wormwood” (compare Jeremiah 9:15; Lamentations 3:19; Amos 6:12), to express figuratively the nature and effects of sin (compare the marginal references.). The herb is probably the poppy. Hence, the “water” (i. e. juice) “of gall” Jeremiah 8:14; Jeremiah 23:15 would be opium. This would explain its employment in the stupefying drink given to criminals at the time of execution (compare Psalms 69:21; Matthew 27:34), and the use of the word as synonymous with poison (compare…”

“A root - An evil heart inclining you to such cursed idolatry, and bringing forth bitter fruits. Deuteronomy 29:19”

“29:18 This metaphor describes idolatry (the root), which, if cultivated, would result in idol worship (the fruit).”

“among you man: Deu 11:16, Deu 11:17, Deu 13:1-15, Deu 17:2-7; Heb 3:12 among you a root: Jer 9:15; Hos 10:4; Amo 6:12; Act 8:23; Heb 12:15 gall and wormwood: or, a poisonful herb, Heb. rosh Deuteronomy 29:19”

“"That there may not be among you," etc.: this sentence may be easily explained by introducing a thought which may be easily supplied, such as "consider this," or "do not forget what ye have seen, that no one, either man or woman, family or tribe, may turn away from Jehovah our God." - "That there may not be a root among you which bears poison and wormwood as fruit." A striking image of the destructive fruit borne by idolatry (cf. Heb 12:15). Rosh stands for a plant of a very bitter taste, as we may see from the frequency with which it is combined with לענה, wormwood: it is not, strictly speaking, a poisonous plant, although the word is used in Job 20:16 to denote the poison of serpents,…”