The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
The earth {H776} shall reel {H5128} to and fro {H5128} like a drunkard {H7910}, and shall be removed {H5110} like a cottage {H4412}; and the transgression {H6588} thereof shall be heavy {H3513} upon it; and it shall fall {H5307}, and not rise {H6965} again {H3254}.
The earth staggers to and fro like a drunk, sways back and forth like a watchman's shelter; its transgression weighs heavy upon it; it will fall and not rise again.
The earth staggers like a drunkard and sways like a shack. Earth’s rebellion weighs it down, and it falls, never to rise again.
The earth shall stagger like a drunken man, and shall sway to and fro like a hammock; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it, and it shall fall, and not rise again.
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Isaiah 19:14
The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken [man] staggereth in his vomit. -
Hosea 4:1
¶ Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because [there is] no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. -
Hosea 4:5
Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother. -
Amos 8:14
They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again. -
Daniel 11:19
Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found. -
Isaiah 29:9
¶ Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. -
Revelation 18:21
And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast [it] into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
Isaiah 24:20 is a powerful and sobering verse describing the state of the earth under God's judgment. It paints a vivid picture of instability and final collapse, directly attributing this fate to the weight of human sin.
Context
This verse is part of Isaiah chapters 24-27, often referred to as Isaiah's "Little Apocalypse." This section shifts from judgments on specific nations to a prophecy of universal judgment upon the whole earth because of its inhabitants' sin and rebellion against God. Chapter 24 specifically details the desolation and devastation that will affect the entire world, culminating in the scene described here.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew phrase translated "reel to and fro like a drunkard" (נוּעַ בַּמִּסְכֶּרֶת - nu'a bammiskeret) powerfully depicts chaotic, uncontrolled movement. Similarly, "removed like a cottage" (וְהִתְנוֹדְדָה כַּמְּלוּנָה - vehitnoddedah kammelunah) suggests something easily shaken, fragile, and temporary, like a makeshift shelter or hut.
Cross-References
This imagery of a shaken earth under judgment is echoed in other prophetic texts, such as Isaiah 13:13 and Hebrews 12:26. The concept that the earth suffers due to human sin is also seen in Romans 8:22, where creation groans under the weight of corruption. The ultimate consequence of transgression mentioned here aligns with the biblical teaching on the wages of sin being death.
Reflection
Isaiah 24:20 serves as a stark reminder that the world as we know it is not eternal and is deeply affected by sin. It challenges us to consider where we place our hope and security. A world burdened by transgression is destined for instability and collapse. This prophecy points towards the need for a new creation, free from sin and its consequences, as described in Revelation 21:1, where God establishes a new heaven and a new earth.