### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term תַּרְעֵלָה (transliterated as tarʻêlâh, `{{H8653}}`) is derived from the root רָעַל (raʻal), which conveys the primary sense of shaking, tottering, or reeling. Therefore, tarʻêlâh fundamentally denotes a state of profound instability or disorientation. Its semantic range extends from physical trembling or staggering to a more internal, psychological state of astonishment, bewilderment, or stupor. It describes an overwhelming sensation that causes one to lose balance, both literally and figuratively, suggesting a loss of control, strength, or clarity. This condition is typically induced by an external, powerful force or experience, often with a connotation of divine action or judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term tarʻêlâh (`{{H8653}}`) appears exclusively twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the book of Isaiah, and in a highly significant metaphorical context:
* **[[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 51:22]]**: "Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again."
In both instances, tarʻêlâh is part of the powerful metaphor "the cup of trembling" (kôs tarʻêlâh). This imagery depicts Jerusalem as having been forced to drink a bitter draught of divine judgment, leading to a state of utter prostration and inability to stand. The "dregs" (qubbaʻat) emphasize the completeness and severity of the judgment, indicating that Jerusalem had consumed the full measure of God's wrath. The state of tarʻêlâh here signifies the overwhelming and disorienting effects of divine punishment, rendering the city helpless and spiritually paralyzed. [[Isaiah 51:17]] serves as a call for Jerusalem to "awake" and "stand up" from this state, implying a period of spiritual and physical paralysis brought on by her sins. Crucially, [[Isaiah 51:22]] offers a promise of hope and restoration, declaring that the Lord Himself will remove this "cup of trembling" from Jerusalem's hand. This signifies the cessation of divine judgment and the beginning of a new era of grace and deliverance, highlighting that tarʻêlâh, while severe, is a temporary condition imposed by God for His purposes.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root רָעַל (raʻal), from which tarʻêlâh is derived. This root is associated with various forms of shaking, quivering, or staggering, whether of individuals or the ground. Other Hebrew terms that convey similar ideas of trembling or fear include:
* חָרַד (ḥarad, `{{H2729}}`): To tremble, be terrified, often indicating fear or awe.
* רָעַד (raʻad, `{{H7461}}`): To tremble, quake, shiver, typically from fear or strong emotion.
* זוּעַ (zâwaʻ, `{{H2111}}`): To tremble, quake, be agitated.
Conceptually, tarʻêlâh is closely linked to:
* **Divine Judgment and Wrath:** The "cup of trembling" is a potent symbol of God's righteous indignation poured out upon sin.
* **Humiliation and Abasement:** The state of reeling implies a loss of dignity, strength, and self-possession.
* **Restoration and Deliverance:** The promise in [[Isaiah 51:22]] provides a crucial counterpoint, demonstrating that even in the deepest state of tarʻêlâh, God's ultimate purpose includes redemption and renewal for His people.
* **The Cup Metaphor:** The "cup" as a symbol of destiny or portion, whether of blessing or suffering, is a recurring biblical motif (e.g., [[Psalm 75:8]], [[Jeremiah 25:15]], [[Matthew 26:39]]). tarʻêlâh specifically describes the debilitating effect of drinking such a cup of judgment.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of tarʻêlâh is profound, illuminating several key aspects of God's character and His dealings with humanity:
* **God's Sovereignty in Judgment:** The "cup of trembling" underscores God's absolute power and authority to bring nations and individuals to a state of utter helplessness and disorientation. It is a vivid portrayal of divine wrath, demonstrating that sin has tangible, devastating consequences that can overwhelm human strength and understanding.
* **The Gravity of Sin:** The condition of tarʻêlâh serves as a stark reminder of the severe repercussions of rebellion against God. Jerusalem's experience of reeling and stupor is a direct result of her unfaithfulness, illustrating that sin leads to a loss of spiritual and existential equilibrium.
* **Divine Purpose in Suffering:** While tarʻêlâh describes a state of severe suffering, its context in Isaiah reveals that God's judgment is not arbitrary but purposeful. It aims to bring about repentance, purification, and ultimately, restoration. The promise to remove the cup signifies God's redemptive heart, even amidst His righteous anger.
* **Hope Amidst Despair:** The transition from the desperate call to "awake" in [[Isaiah 51:17]] to the promise of deliverance in [[Isaiah 51:22]] highlights the biblical tension between divine judgment and divine grace. Even when experiencing the depths of tarʻêlâh, there is a promise of God's intervention and the ultimate cessation of suffering for His chosen people.
### Summary
תַּרְעֵלָה (tarʻêlâh, `{{H8653}}`) is a potent Hebrew term that denotes a state of reeling, trembling, or profound astonishment, stemming from a loss of equilibrium. Found exclusively in Isaiah, it is powerfully employed in the metaphor of the "cup of trembling" (kôs tarʻêlâh), symbolizing the overwhelming and disorienting effects of God's righteous judgment upon Jerusalem. This condition of tarʻêlâh vividly portrays the severe consequences of sin, leading to a state of spiritual and physical paralysis. Theologically, tarʻêlâh underscores God's absolute sovereignty in judgment, the gravity of human sin, and, crucially, His ultimate purpose of restoration. The removal of the "cup of trembling" signifies the end of divine chastisement and the dawn of God's redemptive grace, offering a powerful message of hope and deliverance even in the direst circumstances.
TRV