And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
Symbolizers interpret the star fallen from heaven a chief minister (Arius, etc., or some future false teacher) falling from his high place, and instead of shining with heavenly light as a star, becoming a torch lit with earthly fire and smouldering with smoke. Wormwood, though medicinal, if used as ordinary water, would not only be disagreeable, but also fatal; so 'heretical wormwood changes the sweet Siloas of Scripture into deadly Marahs' (Wordsworth). Contrast the converse change of Marah water into sweet, (Exodus 15:23, etc.) Alford instances the conversion of water into fire-water-ardent spirits-which may destroy a third of the ungodly in the latter days.