Daniel Hoffman June 18, 2019 Exegetical Notes, Hebrews Exegetical Note: Hebrews 12:15 Daniel Hoffman June 18, 2019 Exegetical Notes, Hebrews So a “root of bitterness” is not an attitude, but a person who is presumptuous and flatters themselves in their sin, one who hears the word of God but shrugs it off as inapplicable to him or herself.