Isaiah 51:17

KJV

¶ Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, [and] wrung [them] out.

KJV (with Strong's)

Awake {H5782}, awake {H5782}, stand up {H6965}, O Jerusalem {H3389}, which hast drunk {H8354} at the hand {H3027} of the LORD {H3068} the cup {H3563} of his fury {H2534}; thou hast drunken {H8354} the dregs {H6907} of the cup {H3563} of trembling {H8653}, and wrung them out {H4680}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Awake! Awake! Stand up, Yerushalayim! At ADONAI's hand you drank the cup of his fury; you have drained to the dregs the goblet of drunkenness.

Berean Standard Bible

Awake, awake! Rise up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the LORD the cup of His fury; you who have drained the goblet to the dregs— the cup that makes men stagger.

American Standard Version

Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, that hast drunk at the hand of Jehovah the cup of his wrath; thou hast drunken the bowl of the cup of staggering, and drained it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 51:17 delivers an urgent and poignant summons to Jerusalem, personified as a city reeling from the devastating effects of divine judgment. The verse powerfully depicts Jerusalem as having fully consumed the "cup of fury" from the hand of the LORD, drinking even its bitter dregs, signifying the complete and inescapable experience of God's righteous wrath. This vivid imagery underscores the profound suffering endured by God's people due to their disobedience, while simultaneously serving as a dramatic prelude to the subsequent promises of restoration and renewal.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 51:17 marks a pivotal transition within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-55), a section primarily addressed to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. The preceding verses (Isaiah 51:1-16) are rich with assurances of God's unwavering faithfulness, His power to deliver, and His remembrance of His covenant with Abraham and Sarah, even in their desolate state. These verses encourage the exiles to look to God's past acts of salvation and trust in His future deliverance. However, verse 17 abruptly shifts the tone, acknowledging the depth of Jerusalem's suffering and the severity of the divine discipline. It serves as a stark reminder of the past judgment before the glorious promises of restoration in [Isaiah 52:1](/isaiah/52-1 "Isaiah 52:1 - Jerusalem's Call to Awake and Put on Strength") and beyond, where the call to "Awake, awake" is repeated, but this time with a focus on putting on strength and beautiful garments for a new era.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 51:17 is the Babylonian Exile (586-539 BC), a period of immense national trauma for Judah. Jerusalem, the capital and spiritual heart of the nation, had been utterly destroyed, its temple razed, and its people deported. This catastrophe was understood by the prophets as God's righteous judgment for the nation's persistent idolatry, injustice, and covenant unfaithfulness. The imagery of drinking a "cup of fury" or "cup of trembling" was a well-understood metaphor in the ancient Near East, symbolizing a portion of suffering or judgment decreed by a deity. Kings would often compel conquered enemies to drink a cup of poison or a bitter concoction as a sign of their utter subjugation and humiliation. Thus, the audience would immediately grasp the profound humiliation, suffering, and divine indignation conveyed by this powerful metaphor.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several critical themes prevalent throughout Isaiah and the prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Wrath**, emphasizing that the suffering experienced by Jerusalem was not random but a direct consequence of God's holy indignation against sin, administered "at the hand of the LORD." Secondly, it portrays **Profound Suffering and Desolation**, using the vivid imagery of drinking the "dregs of the cup of trembling" to convey the completeness and bitterness of the punishment, leaving no doubt about the depth of their affliction. Thirdly, the repeated imperative "Awake, awake, stand up" introduces the theme of a **Call to Arise and Renewed Hope**. Despite the severity of the judgment, this command is not one of condemnation but an exhortation to shake off despair and prepare for God's impending deliverance and restoration, foreshadowing the glorious future described in [Isaiah 60:1](/isaiah/60-1 "Isaiah 60:1 - Arise, Shine, for Your Light Has Come"). Finally, the verse powerfully affirms **God's Sovereignty**, even in judgment, underscoring that all events, including national catastrophe, are under His ultimate control and serve His divine purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Awake (Hebrew, _ʻûwr'_):** This primitive root signifies "to wake (literally or figuratively)," "to stir up," or "to rouse up." Its repetition ("Awake, awake") serves as an intense, urgent imperative, not merely to awaken from sleep, but to rouse from a state of stupor, despair, or the lethargy induced by prolonged suffering and desolation. It implies a call to spiritual and national revival, a shaking off of the effects of judgment to prepare for a new divine action.
* **Fury (Hebrew, _chêmâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "heat," this word figuratively denotes "anger," "poison," or "wrath." When applied to God, as here, it refers to His intense, righteous indignation against sin. The "cup of his fury" is thus a potent metaphor for the full measure of God's holy wrath poured out as judgment. It is not an uncontrolled outburst but a deliberate, just response to covenant unfaithfulness.
* **Dregs (Hebrew, _qubbaʻath'_):** This term refers to the sediment or lees at the bottom of a cup or goblet. To drink the dregs means to consume the very last, most bitter, and most concentrated part of a liquid. In this context, it intensifies the image of suffering, indicating that Jerusalem has not merely tasted God's judgment but has drained it to the very bottom, experiencing its full, undiluted bitterness and severity.
* **Wrung them out (Hebrew, _mâtsâh'_):** This primitive root means "to suck out," "to drain," or "to squeeze out." The phrase "wrung them out" further emphasizes the completeness with which Jerusalem has consumed the cup of judgment. It suggests that every last drop, every ounce of suffering, has been extracted and endured, leaving nothing behind. This vivid action underscores the thoroughness of God's disciplinary process.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem,"**: This opening phrase is a powerful, repeated imperative, a direct and urgent command to Jerusalem. The repetition of "Awake" emphasizes the intensity and necessity of the call, urging the city (representing the people) to rouse itself from a state of spiritual stupor, despair, or the overwhelming effects of its punishment. "Stand up" implies a transition from a prostrate, defeated position to one of readiness and strength.
* **"which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury;"**: This clause identifies the reason for Jerusalem's prostrate state. The city has consumed a "cup of fury," a potent metaphor for divine judgment and wrath. The phrase "at the hand of the LORD" underscores God's sovereignty and active role in administering this judgment, making it clear that the suffering was not random but a direct consequence of His righteous indignation against sin.
* **"thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, [and] wrung [them] out."**: This final clause intensifies the imagery of suffering. "The dregs of the cup of trembling" signifies that Jerusalem has consumed not just the initial portion of the judgment but the very last, most bitter, and most concentrated part. "Trembling" refers to the terror and weakness induced by this overwhelming experience. To have "wrung them out" means that the cup has been completely emptied and drained, leaving no doubt that Jerusalem has endured the full, unmitigated measure of divine discipline.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 51:17 is rich with powerful **Imagery** and **Metaphor**. The central metaphor of the "cup of fury" and "cup of trembling" vividly personifies divine judgment as a bitter potion that Jerusalem has been forced to consume. This image is intensified by the mention of "dregs" and the act of "wrung them out," conveying the thoroughness and bitterness of the suffering. The repeated imperative "Awake, awake" is an example of **Anaphora** and **Personification**, addressing Jerusalem as if it were a conscious being capable of responding to a command. The entire verse functions as a form of **Apostrophe**, a direct address to an absent or personified entity (Jerusalem). The contrast between Jerusalem's current state of desolation and the impending call to "stand up" creates a sense of **Dramatic Irony** or **Anticipation**, as the reader knows that this severe judgment is a prelude to glorious restoration. The use of strong verbs like "drunk," "wrung," "awake," and "stand up" contributes to the verse's **Vividness** and **Urgency**.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 51:17 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle of divine judgment as a consequence of sin, yet it also subtly introduces the theme of restoration. God's holiness demands a response to human rebellion, and the "cup of fury" represents the just and severe outpouring of His wrath. However, the very command to "Awake, awake, stand up" implies that this judgment, though complete, is not the final word. It serves a redemptive purpose, leading to a point where the disciplined people are called to rise from their stupor and prepare for God's promised deliverance. This pattern of judgment leading to repentance and ultimate restoration is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even through painful discipline.

* [Jeremiah 25:15](/jeremiah/25-15 "Jeremiah 25:15 - The Cup of Wrath for the Nations")
* [Psalm 75:8](/psalm/75-8 "Psalm 75:8 - The Cup of God's Wrath")
* [Revelation 14:10](/revelation/14-10 "Revelation 14:10 - The Wine of God's Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 51:17 offers a profound mirror for personal and communal reflection. Just as ancient Jerusalem was called to awaken from the stupor of divine discipline, we too are called to recognize the consequences of our own sin and spiritual complacency. The "cup of fury" reminds us of the seriousness of sin and God's righteous response to it, urging us to humble ourselves and acknowledge His sovereign hand in both blessing and discipline. Yet, the repeated "Awake, awake, stand up" is not a call to despair, but to hope. It encourages us to shake off spiritual lethargy, the paralyzing effects of past failures, or the weariness of trials, and to stand ready for God's redemptive work. This verse challenges us to embrace a posture of active faith, trusting that even through the bitterest experiences, God is preparing us for a new season of strength, purpose, and renewal, ultimately leading to a deeper walk with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be spiritually asleep or complacent, needing to "Awake, awake, stand up"?**
* **How have I experienced the "cup of trembling" in my own life, whether through consequences of sin or through trials, and what did I learn from it?**
* **What does it mean for me to "stand up" in faith, ready to receive God's comfort and move forward, even after difficult experiences?**

### FAQ
**What does the "cup of fury" symbolize in the Bible?**

Answer: The "cup of fury" (or wrath) is a powerful biblical metaphor symbolizing the full measure of God's righteous judgment and indignation against sin. It appears in various prophetic books (e.g., [Jeremiah 25:15](/jeremiah/25-15 "Jeremiah 25:15 - The Cup of Wrath for the Nations"), [Ezekiel 23:33](/ezekiel/23-33 "Ezekiel 23:33 - The Cup of Horror and Desolation")) and even in the New Testament (e.g., [Revelation 14:10](/revelation/14-10 "Revelation 14:10 - The Wine of God's Wrath")) to depict the severe consequences of disobedience and rebellion against God. To drink this cup, especially to its "dregs," signifies experiencing the complete and unmitigated outpouring of divine wrath.

**Why is Jerusalem called to "Awake, awake, stand up" after experiencing such judgment?**

Answer: The repeated call to "Awake, awake, stand up" is an urgent imperative for Jerusalem to rouse itself from the stupor of its suffering and desolation. While it acknowledges the profound judgment endured, it is not a call to further condemnation but to renewed hope and preparation. It signals a turning point, urging the city to shake off despair and lethargy, and to prepare to receive God's impending deliverance and restoration. This call foreshadows the glorious promises of salvation found in the subsequent chapters of Isaiah, particularly [Isaiah 52:1](/isaiah/52-1 "Isaiah 52:1 - Jerusalem's Call to Awake and Put on Strength"), where Jerusalem is called to put on her strength and beautiful garments, signifying a new era of God's favor.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 51:17, with its vivid imagery of the "cup of fury" and the call to "Awake," finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Jerusalem drank the cup of God's wrath due to its sin, Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, voluntarily drank the full cup of divine wrath on behalf of humanity. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this [cup] pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")). This "cup" was not merely physical suffering, but the concentrated fury of God's holy judgment against all human sin, which He, though innocent, bore for us. By drinking this cup to its dregs, Jesus exhausted the demands of divine justice, ensuring that those who trust in Him will never have to drink from the cup of God's wrath ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Justified by His Blood")). Furthermore, the call for Jerusalem to "Awake, awake, stand up" foreshadows the spiritual awakening and resurrection life offered through Christ. Just as Jerusalem was to rise from its desolation, believers are called to "awake from sleep" ([Romans 13:11](/romans/13-11 "Romans 13:11 - Time to Wake Up")) and "rise with Christ" ([Colossians 3:1](/colossians/3-1 "Colossians 3:1 - Set Your Minds on Things Above")), empowered by His resurrection to live a new life free from the condemnation of sin, having been reconciled to God through His sacrificial act.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 52:1

¶ Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

Isaiah 51:9

¶ Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon?

Revelation 14:10

The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Psalms 60:3

Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

1 Corinthians 15:34

Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak [this] to your shame.

Job 21:20

His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

Revelation 18:6

Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.