Lexical Summary tarelah: Reeling, Staggering Original Word: תַּרְעֵלָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance astonishment, trembling From ra'al; reeling -- astonishment, trembling. see HEBREW ra'al NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom raal Definition a reeling NASB Translation reeling (2), stagger (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs תַּרְעֵלָה noun feminine reeling (compare רֵ֫עַל); — ׳כּוֺס הַתּ Isaiah 51:17,22; ׳יַיִן תּ Psalm 60:5 drink reeling as wine. Topical Lexicon Word Family and Imageתַּרְעֵלָה portrays the experience of staggering under a potent drink. Scripture employs the word figuratively for the shock, disorientation, and helplessness produced when the Lord hands a “cup” of severe discipline to His covenant people or to the nations. Closely related expressions include “cup of wrath,” “cup of trembling,” and “wine of fury,” all depicting divine judgment administered in measured, purposeful portions (Jeremiah 25:15-29; Revelation 14:9-10). Canonical Occurrences 1. Psalm 60:3 – David laments national defeat: “You have shown Your people hardship; we are staggered from the wine You have poured out”. Historical Setting Psalm 60 arises after Israel’s military reverses, probably during David’s early campaigns against Aram and Edom. The staggering “wine” pictures communal bewilderment when God temporarily withdraws protection. Isaiah 51 speaks to exiled Judah near the close of Babylonian dominance. Jerusalem has “drunk” deeply of devastating judgment, yet the same cup is soon to be transferred to her oppressors (Isaiah 51:23), highlighting the Lord’s sovereign control over international affairs. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty in Judgment The identical cup is dispensed, removed, or reassigned solely at God’s initiative (Isaiah 51:22-23). Human actors cannot evade or empty it apart from divine permission. 2. Covenant Discipline, not Destruction While terrifying, the staggering cup is corrective, aimed at restoring covenant loyalty (Psalm 60:4-5). Isaiah 51:22-23 assures the faithful remnant that wrath has a terminus once its chastening purpose is achieved. 3. Moral Responsibility of Nations The imagery extends beyond Israel. Babylon, Edom, and all unrepentant powers must eventually drink the same cup (Jeremiah 25:26; Obadiah 16). God’s dealings are consistent and impartial. Christological and Eschatological Fulfillment At Gethsemane Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me” (Matthew 26:39). He willingly received the ultimate cup of staggering on behalf of sinners, satisfying divine justice and offering believers a cup of blessing (1 Corinthians 10:16). The final outpouring of unmixed wrath remains for the unrepentant (Revelation 14:10), but those in Christ are assured, “You will never drink it again” (Isaiah 51:22 applied). Ministry Applications • Pastoral Care: When believers feel disoriented by trials, Psalm 60 models candid lament while anchoring hope in God’s banner of truth (Psalm 60:4). Related Biblical Imagery • Bitter water at Marah (Exodus 15:23-25) – remedied by the wood, foreshadowing the cross. Summary תַּרְעֵלָה encapsulates the sobering reality of divine judgment that leaves people reeling, yet simultaneously points to God’s redemptive plan. The staggering cup, once drained by Christ, becomes a compelling call to repentance, faith, and persevering hope until the day when “sorrow and sighing will flee” (Isaiah 51:11). Forms and Transliterations הַתַּרְעֵלָ֑ה הַתַּרְעֵלָ֛ה התרעלה תַּרְעֵלָֽה׃ תרעלה׃ hat·tar·‘ê·lāh hattar‘êlāh hattareLah tar‘êlāh tar·‘ê·lāh tareLahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 60:3 HEB: הִ֝שְׁקִיתָ֗נוּ יַ֣יִן תַּרְעֵלָֽה׃ NAS: to drink that makes us stagger. KJV: the wine of astonishment. INT: have given wine stagger Isaiah 51:17 Isaiah 51:22 3 Occurrences |
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