Isaiah 51:21

KJV

Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore hear {H8085} now this, thou afflicted {H6041}, and drunken {H7937}, but not with wine {H3196}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, please hear this in your affliction, you who are drunk, but not with wine;

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore now hear this, you afflicted one, drunken, but not with wine.

American Standard Version

Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 51:21 serves as a profound divine summons to Jerusalem, personified as a woman utterly prostrate and disoriented, not by physical intoxication, but by the overwhelming trauma of divine judgment and the subsequent Babylonian exile. This pivotal verse marks a dramatic shift from God's disciplinary wrath to the imminent dawn of comfort and restoration, urging His suffering people to heed His transformative words of deliverance and embrace the profound reversal of their fortunes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-66), a section primarily dedicated to offering hope and assurance to the Jewish exiles in Babylon after decades of suffering. Immediately preceding [Isaiah 51:21](/isaiah/51-21 "Isaiah 51:21 - Jerusalem's Affliction and Call to Hear"), the prophet vividly depicts Jerusalem's desolation and suffering in [Isaiah 51:17-20](/isaiah/51-17-20 "Isaiah 51:17-20 - Jerusalem's Drunkenness from the Cup of Wrath"). These verses portray the city as having "drunk the cup of the Lord's wrath" and being utterly prostrate, with no one to guide her or offer comfort. Verse 21 directly addresses this prostrate figure, shifting from a description of her misery to a direct and urgent call to attention, preparing her for the radical reversal of fortune promised in [Isaiah 51:22-23](/isaiah/51-22-23 "Isaiah 51:22-23 - The Cup Removed and Given to Oppressors"). Here, the cup of trembling will be taken from her and given to her oppressors, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty over both judgment and salvation, and highlighting His ultimate purpose of restoration for His covenant people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 51 is the Babylonian exile, a period of immense national trauma for Judah following the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in 586 BC. This experience was profoundly disorienting, leading to widespread despair, questioning of God's covenant faithfulness, and a pervasive sense of utter helplessness among the exiles. Culturally, "drunkenness" was a potent metaphor not only for physical intoxication but also for a state of stupor, confusion, and inability to act, often brought on by overwhelming calamity or divine judgment. The "cup of wrath" imagery, prevalent throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Jeremiah 25:15-16](/jeremiah/25-15-16 "Jeremiah 25:15-16 - The Cup of Wrath for the Nations")), was a well-understood symbol of God's righteous indignation poured out upon nations or individuals for their sin. The prophet's address to "thou afflicted" resonates deeply with the lived experience of a people stripped of their land, temple, and national identity, feeling abandoned and utterly broken by the consequences of their disobedience and God's just discipline.

* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 51:21 contributes significantly to several key themes within the broader book of Isaiah and the biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Compassion and Intervention**, revealing God's intimate awareness of His people's profound suffering and His active decision to intervene on their behalf, even in their lowest, most incapacitated state. Secondly, the striking phrase "drunken, but not with wine" vividly portrays **Spiritual Stupor and Disorientation**, highlighting the profound psychological and spiritual impact of God's judgment and the subsequent exile. This is not mere physical drunkenness but a state of helplessness, confusion, and inability to discern or act, brought on by overwhelming suffering and the consequences of sin. Thirdly, the verse marks a critical **Transition from Judgment to Deliverance**. It pivots dramatically from the severe descriptions of Jerusalem's punishment to the impending promise of comfort and restoration, signaling that the period of wrath is concluding and a new era of divine favor is about to begin. This aligns with the overarching theme of God's unwavering covenant faithfulness, where even after administering necessary discipline, He remembers His promises and brings about salvation for His chosen people, as seen in the promise of a glorious future in [Isaiah 60](/isaiah/60 "Isaiah 60 - The Glory of Zion").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** (H8085) A primitive root meaning "to hear intelligently," often with the implication of attention, obedience, or understanding. In this urgent context, it is a direct command for the afflicted people to pay close and discerning attention to the divine message that follows. It suggests that their previous "drunkenness" had rendered them incapable of truly hearing or responding, making this a call to spiritual awakening and receptive obedience.
* **afflicted (Hebrew, _ʻânîy'_):** (H6041) From a root meaning to depress or humble, this word describes someone "depressed, in mind or circumstances." It encompasses being humble, lowly, needy, or poor. Here, it perfectly captures the deep distress, oppression, and mental anguish experienced by Jerusalem due to the devastation of war, exile, and divine judgment. It acknowledges their profound suffering, vulnerability, and desperate need for divine intervention.
* **drunken (Hebrew, _shâkar'_):** (H7937) A primitive root meaning "to become tipsy" or "to satiate with a stimulating drink or (figuratively) influence." While it can refer to physical intoxication, its figurative use here is paramount. It describes a state of stupor, disorientation, and helplessness, not from alcohol, but from the overwhelming blows of divine discipline and the resulting chaos and despair. It signifies a profound spiritual and emotional incapacitation, a staggering under the weight of calamity.
* **wine (Hebrew, _yayin'_):** (H3196) From an unused root meaning to effervesce, this word refers to "wine (as fermented)," and by implication, "intoxication." Its presence in the crucial phrase "but not with wine" is essential for highlighting the metaphorical nature of the "drunkenness." It clarifies that the people's stupor is not self-induced by alcohol but is a direct consequence of their dire circumstances and God's judgment, making their state even more tragic and indicative of overwhelming external forces.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore hear now this":** This opening phrase functions as an urgent, emphatic summons. The "Therefore" serves as a logical connector, linking back to the preceding verses that describe Jerusalem's utter devastation and prostrate state. It indicates that precisely because of her profound suffering, a new, critical, and hopeful message is about to be delivered. The command to "hear" (Hebrew: _shâmaʻ_) is not merely about perceiving sound, but about listening with understanding, attention, and an openness to obey, signifying a divine intervention that requires a responsive and awakened audience.
* **"thou afflicted":** This is a direct, empathetic, and personal address to Jerusalem, personified as a suffering woman. The term "afflicted" (Hebrew: _ʻânîy_) encapsulates her deep distress, oppression, and the physical and psychological toll of the exile and the severe judgment she has endured. It highlights God's intimate awareness of her pain, His compassionate gaze upon her in her lowest state, and His recognition of her profound need for solace.
* **"and drunken":** This clause continues the vivid description of Jerusalem's pitiable state. The imagery of "drunkenness" powerfully portrays her disorientation, staggering, and inability to stand, act coherently, or even perceive her surroundings clearly. It speaks to a state of profound confusion, helplessness, and spiritual stupor, a direct consequence of the overwhelming calamities that have befallen her.
* **"but not with wine":** This crucial qualification immediately clarifies the metaphorical nature of the "drunkenness" and deepens its pathos. It emphasizes that her stupor is not self-inflicted through alcohol or moral indulgence, but is a direct result of the staggering blows of divine judgment and the overwhelming suffering she has experienced. It portrays a people utterly incapacitated by external, divine forces, highlighting the severity of God's discipline and the profound impact it has had.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 51:21 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful and poignant message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrase "drunken, but not with wine." This vivid image portrays Jerusalem's state of utter disorientation, helplessness, and spiritual stupor, not as a result of physical intoxication, but as a direct consequence of the overwhelming impact of divine judgment and severe suffering. It effectively communicates a profound spiritual and emotional incapacitation. **Personification** is also central, as Jerusalem is addressed directly as "thou afflicted, and drunken," endowing the city with human characteristics of suffering, disorientation, and the capacity to hear. This makes the divine address profoundly intimate and relatable. Furthermore, the use of **Apostrophe**—a direct address to an absent or personified entity—strengthens the personal and urgent nature of God's communication to His people, drawing them into a direct encounter with His word. The explicit contrast implied by "but not with wine" also creates a subtle yet powerful **Paradox**, highlighting that the cause of this "drunkenness" is far more profound, devastating, and divinely ordained than mere physical indulgence, underscoring the spiritual and existential weight of their condition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 51:21 is a profound theological statement on God's sovereignty over judgment and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. It underscores that even in the midst of severe divine discipline, God remains intimately aware of His people's suffering, acknowledging their "afflicted" and "drunken" state. This verse pivots dramatically from the imagery of a "cup of wrath" (seen in [Isaiah 51:17](/isaiah/51-17 "Isaiah 51:17 - Jerusalem's Cup of Trembling")) to the imminent promise of its removal, demonstrating God's ultimate purpose of restoration rather than annihilation. It reveals a God who, having administered necessary correction, now moves to comfort and deliver, inviting His people to listen to His voice of salvation. This transition highlights the redemptive nature of God's judgments, designed not for destruction but to bring His people to a place of repentance, renewed reliance on Him, and ultimately, to their glorious restoration and the fulfillment of His covenant promises.

* [Lamentations 3:15](/lamentations/3-15 "Lamentations 3:15 - Filled with Bitterness")
* [Psalm 60:3](/psalms/60-3 "Psalm 60:3 - Made to Drink the Wine of Stupor")
* [Revelation 14:10](/revelation/14-10 "Revelation 14:10 - Drinking the Wine of God's Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 51:21 speaks powerfully to the universal human experience of being overwhelmed and disoriented by life's profound trials, the crushing weight of sin's consequences, or the relentless pressure of external circumstances. When we find ourselves feeling "afflicted"—burdened by grief, anxiety, injustice, or the fallout of our own choices—and "drunken, but not with wine"—spiritually numb, confused, or unable to see a clear path forward, this verse offers a profound and compassionate truth: God sees our precise condition. He does not abandon us in our stupor but actively calls us to "hear now this," inviting us to listen intently for His voice of comfort, clarity, and deliverance amidst the chaos. It offers profound hope that even when we are at our lowest, feeling utterly incapacitated, God is poised to intervene, to remove the "cup of trembling" from our hands, and to restore our spiritual clarity, purpose, and peace. Our responsibility is to awaken from our spiritual stupor, to turn our hearts towards Him, and to attentively receive His word, trusting in His sovereign power to transform our despair into hope and our disorientation into divine direction.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel "afflicted" or "drunken, but not with wine," experiencing disorientation, numbness, or helplessness?**
* **How does the knowledge that God sees and directly addresses your specific state of suffering bring you comfort, challenge, or renewed hope?**
* **What does it truly mean for you to "hear now this" from God in your current circumstances? What might He be inviting you to listen for, discern, or respond to?**
* **How can you actively seek God's voice and intervention when you feel overwhelmed, trusting Him to remove the "cup of trembling" from your life and restore your spiritual sobriety?**

### FAQ
**What does "drunken, but not with wine" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: This powerful metaphor describes a state of profound disorientation, helplessness, and stupor that is not caused by physical alcohol consumption. Instead, it refers to the overwhelming impact of suffering, divine judgment, and the consequences of sin. Jerusalem, personified as a woman, is so utterly devastated and overwhelmed by the calamities she has experienced (the destruction of her city, exile, and the weight of God's wrath) that she is rendered spiritually and emotionally incapacitated, unable to stand, act, or discern a path forward, much like someone physically drunk. It signifies a deep, internal stupor caused by external, traumatic events, particularly the "cup of trembling" that Jerusalem had drunk, as vividly described in [Isaiah 51:17-20](/isaiah/51-17-20 "Isaiah 51:17-20 - Jerusalem's Suffering and the Cup of Wrath").

**Who is "thou afflicted" referring to?**

Answer: "Thou afflicted" is a direct, compassionate address to Jerusalem, personified as a suffering woman. In the context of Isaiah 51, it refers to the nation of Judah, particularly those in exile in Babylon, who had experienced the devastating judgment of God through the destruction of their city and temple, and their subsequent deportation. The term "afflicted" (Hebrew: _ʻânîy_) perfectly captures their state of deep distress, oppression, and mental anguish. God is speaking directly to His covenant people in their lowest and most vulnerable condition, acknowledging their pain and preparing them for a message of impending comfort and restoration, as promised in [Isaiah 51:22](/isaiah/51-22 "Isaiah 51:22 - The Cup of Trembling Removed").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 51:21, with its poignant depiction of an afflicted and disoriented people, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus. The "cup of trembling" that Jerusalem had drunk, symbolizing God's wrath against sin, foreshadows the infinitely more dreadful cup of divine judgment that Jesus, the ultimate Suffering Servant, willingly drank on behalf of humanity. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will" ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")). He alone was able to bear the full, unadulterated weight of God's righteous indignation, enduring a spiritual "drunkenness" of agony and separation from God that far surpassed any human affliction, yet He did so without sin. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus removed the cup of God's wrath from us, the truly afflicted and spiritually disoriented by sin, offering us clarity, peace, and reconciliation with God. He is the one who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), delivering us from the spiritual stupor of our fallen state and inviting us to "hear now this" new covenant of grace and life in Him, becoming our ultimate Comforter and the source of our true spiritual sobriety and new creation in Christ ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

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 51:17

¶ 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.

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.

Isaiah 54:11

¶ O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, [and] not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.