The Hebrew word çôbeʼ, represented by H5435, refers to drink or wine, and can describe the abstract concept of carousal or being drunken. It is derived from the root word H5433. This term appears 3 times across 3 unique verses, where it is used to signify both a literal substance and a state of being associated with moral and spiritual decline.
In its biblical usage, H5435 consistently appears in contexts of judgment and corruption. In Isaiah, it is used metaphorically to describe the degradation of Jerusalem, where the "thy wine mixed with water" symbolizes a loss of purity and value Isaiah 1:22. In Hosea, the "sour drink" of the people is directly linked to their spiritual unfaithfulness, as they have "committed whoredom continually" Hosea 4:18. Finally, Nahum uses the term to describe the wicked as "drunkards" who, in their drunken state, will be devoured and judged Nahum 1:10.
Several related words help illuminate the context of H5435:
- H5433 çâbâʼ (to quaff to satiety, i.e. become tipsy): This is the primitive root from which H5435 is derived. It appears alongside it in Nahum 1:10, where the people are "drunken as drunkards," emphasizing a state of being completely filled with intoxicating drink.
- H2181 zânâh (to commit adultery): This term is used figuratively for idolatry and is linked with H5435 in Hosea 4:18, where the people's sour drink accompanies their act of committing "whoredom continually" against God.
- H157 ʼâhab (to have affection for, love): This word appears in Hosea 4:18, where the rulers' corrupted state is highlighted by their "love" for shame, tying their unfaithful actions and sour drink to a perverted affection.
The theological weight of H5435 is significant, consistently symbolizing negative spiritual conditions.
- Symbol of Degradation: Just as silver becoming dross is a sign of impurity, so is wine mixed with water. It illustrates a fall from a state of purity and honor into one of worthless corruption Isaiah 1:22.
- Indicator of Spiritual Adultery: The term is directly connected with idolatry. The "sour drink" in Hosea is a symptom of a heart that has turned away from God to commit spiritual "whoredom" Hosea 4:18.
- A Precursor to Judgment: Being "drunken as drunkards" is not portrayed as a state of revelry, but as a condition of vulnerability and helplessness that precedes imminent destruction from God Nahum 1:10.
In summary, H5435 is not merely a word for wine or drink, but a powerful biblical symbol for moral decay, spiritual unfaithfulness, and impending judgment. Whether describing diluted wine, a soured drink, or the state of a drunkard, its presence in Scripture serves as a stark warning against the kind of corruption that invites divine consequence. It demonstrates how a physical substance can represent a profound spiritual reality.
TRV