The Hebrew word çâbâʼ, represented by H5433, is a primitive root meaning to quaff to satiety, or become tipsy. It is used to describe a drunkard, someone who fills themselves with drink, or a winebibber. This term appears 6 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible, consistently linked to excess and its consequences.
In the biblical narrative, çâbâʼ is consistently used in a negative context, highlighting a state of rebellion or impending doom. In the Law, a drunkard H5433 is presented alongside a glutton H2151 as a characteristic of a stubborn H5637 and rebellious H4784 son who will not obey H8085 his parents Deuteronomy 21:20. The book of Proverbs warns against associating with winebibbers çâbâʼ and explicitly states that the drunkard H5433 will come to poverty H3423 Proverbs 23:20-21. The prophets use the term to describe those inviting others to fill H5433 themselves with strong drink H7941 Isaiah 56:12 and as a metaphor for a people vulnerable to destruction, who will be devoured while they are drunken H5433 Nahum 1:10.
The theological weight of çâbâʼ is demonstrated through its consistent portrayal as a symptom of deeper spiritual problems.
- A Sign of Rebellion: Drunkenness is not merely a personal failing but an act of defiance. In Deuteronomy 21:20, it is part of the evidence of a son who is stubborn H5637 and rebellious H4784, refusing to obey the voice H6963 of his elders H2205.
- A Path to Poverty: Scripture directly links the state of being a drunkard H5433 to material ruin. Proverbs 23:21 warns that this lifestyle, along with gluttony H2151, will result in poverty H3423, as drowsiness H5124 will clothe H3847 a man with rags H7168.
- Vulnerability to Judgment: In Nahum 1:10, being drunken H5433 is the state of the wicked just before they are devoured H398 like dry stubble H7179. This illustrates that indulgence and intoxication lead to a lack of vigilance and an openness to divine judgment.
In summary, çâbâʼ is more than a term for intoxication; it is a biblical marker for a life of self-indulgence that stands in opposition to wisdom and obedience. It functions as a stark warning, linking excessive drinking to moral rebellion, societal breakdown, personal ruin, and divine judgment. The use of çâbâʼ underscores that a failure of self-control is often a sign of a heart that has turned away from God and his commands.
