Definition and Usage:
The term "staggering" in the Bible often refers to a physical or metaphorical state of instability, wavering, or uncertainty. It can describe both literal physical movement and spiritual or moral vacillation. In the original Hebrew and Greek texts, words translated as "stagger" or "staggering" convey notions of stumbling, reeling, or being unsteady.

Biblical References:

1. Physical Staggering:
In a literal sense, staggering is used to describe the physical state of individuals who are weak, intoxicated, or overwhelmed. For example, in Isaiah 29:9 , the prophet describes a people who are spiritually blind and drunk, not with wine, but with a spirit of deep sleep: "Be delayed and wait, Blind yourselves and be blind; They become drunk, but not with wine, They stagger, but not with strong drink."

2. Spiritual and Moral Staggering:
Staggering is also used metaphorically to describe a lack of faith or spiritual wavering. In Romans 4:20 , the Apostle Paul speaks of Abraham's faith, noting that he "did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God." Here, the concept of staggering is contrasted with steadfast faith.

3. Judgment and Staggering:
The imagery of staggering is sometimes associated with divine judgment. In Psalm 60:3 , the psalmist laments, "You have shown Your people hardship; we are staggered from the wine You made us drink." This verse uses the metaphor of staggering to describe the disorientation and distress experienced under God's judgment.

4. Prophetic Imagery:
The prophets frequently use the image of staggering to depict the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. In Isaiah 51:17 , the prophet calls Jerusalem to awaken from its stupor: "Awake, awake! Rise up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the LORD the cup of His wrath, you who have drained to its dregs the goblet that makes men stagger."

Theological Implications:

· Faith and Stability:
The Bible contrasts staggering with the stability that comes from faith in God. Believers are encouraged to stand firm and not be swayed by doubt or external pressures. The example of Abraham, who did not stagger in unbelief, serves as a model for Christians to trust in God's promises.

· Judgment and Repentance:
Staggering under God's judgment serves as a call to repentance. The disorientation and instability experienced by those who turn away from God highlight the need for a return to Him. The prophetic calls to awaken and stand firm are invitations to seek God's mercy and restoration.

· Moral and Spiritual Vigilance:
The concept of staggering reminds believers of the importance of vigilance in their spiritual walk. Just as physical staggering can lead to a fall, spiritual wavering can lead to sin and separation from God. Christians are urged to remain sober-minded and alert, relying on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance.

Conclusion:
While the Bible uses the imagery of staggering to depict both physical and spiritual states, it ultimately points to the stability and assurance found in a life grounded in faith and obedience to God. Through the examples and teachings found in Scripture, believers are encouraged to avoid the pitfalls of doubt and to stand firm in their commitment to the Lord.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Stagger.6330. puqah -- tottering, staggering
... 6329, 6330. puqah. 6331 . tottering, staggering. Transliteration: puqah
Phonetic Spelling: (poo-kaw') Short Definition: grief. Word ...
/hebrew/6330.htm - 6k

6375. piq -- tottering, staggering
piq or piq. 6374, 6375. piq or piq. 6376 . tottering, staggering. Transliteration:
piq or piq Phonetic Spelling: (peek) Short Definition: knocking. ...
/hebrew/6375.htm - 6k

4131. mot -- to totter, shake, slip
... falter (1), gives way (1), immovable* (1), moved (8), shake (1), shaken (11), shaken
violently (1), slip (4), slipped (2), slips (1), staggering (1), totter (3 ...
/hebrew/4131.htm - 6k

Zion Awakened
... awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, Which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of
his fury; Thou hast drunken the bowl of the cup of staggering, and drained it ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/zion awakened.htm

How to Make Use of Christ, as Truth, for Comfort, when Truth is ...
... Surely the faith of this would much support a poor soul, staggering at the thoughts
of the prosperity of the wicked, and of their evil cause. ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xiv how to make.htm

Following Christ
... Oh! to young Christians, this is very staggering. Those of us who are older
feel this to be a very peculiar cross in church life ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/following christ.htm

Even Now, as the Matter Refers to Thy Opinion on a Point the More ...
... with food and dainties, thou art wont to present offerings to thyself rather than
to them; or when, coming from the graves again, thou art staggering under the ...
/.../tertullian/the souls testimony/chapter iv even now as.htm

That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both ...
... ability to relieve. When staggering under the woeful curses of God, he
pleaded with Moses to intercede for him. "Intreat the Lord ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ii that we ought.htm

Off to vienna
... Sometimes they met poor people staggering wearily afoot along the road.
Often Stanislaus checked his horse and lightly dismounted. ...
/.../chapter iv off to vienna.htm

The Mourner's Creed.
... this?". Her faith had been but a moment before staggering. Some guilty
misgivings had been mingling with her anguished tears. She ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/ix the mourners creed.htm

Petra
... And if the sum is worked so as to cover all India, the result is quite as staggering
to faith based on statistics. Praise God, this is not His arithmetic! ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xii petra.htm

Jeremiah
... The death of Josiah in 609 at Megiddo, when he took the field, probably as the vassal
of Assyria, against the king of Egypt, was a staggering blow to the hopes ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/jeremiah.htm

The Departing Christ and the Coming Spirit
... 'It is for your profit that I go away.' He explains that staggering statement by
the thought which He has already presented to them, in varying aspects, of His ...
/.../the departing christ and the.htm

Staggering (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Staggering (7 Occurrences). ... Psalms 60:3 Thou hast showed
thy people hard things: Thou hast made us to drink the wine of staggering. ...
/s/staggering.htm - 8k

Stagger (20 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 24:11 Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those
who are staggering to the slaughter! (Root in WEB DBY NAS NIV). ...
/s/stagger.htm - 13k

Grief (252 Occurrences)
... Genesis 26:35; Genesis 49:23 1 Samuel 30:6 Ruth 1:13 Proverbs 14:10, "The heart
knoweth its own bitterness, marah); puqah implies staggering, or stumbling ...
/g/grief.htm - 45k

Grieve (29 Occurrences)
... Genesis 26:35; Genesis 49:23 1 Samuel 30:6 Ruth 1:13 Proverbs 14:10, "The heart
knoweth its own bitterness, marah); puqah implies staggering, or stumbling ...
/g/grieve.htm - 23k

Bowl (44 Occurrences)
... Awake, awake, stand up, Jerusalem, that have drunk at the hand of Yahweh the cup
of his wrath; you have drunken the bowl of the cup of staggering, and drained ...
/b/bowl.htm - 26k

Pleads (9 Occurrences)
... 51:22 Thus says your Lord Yahweh, and your God who pleads the cause of his people,
"Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of staggering, even the bowl ...
/p/pleads.htm - 9k

Beaker (1 Occurrence)
... 51:22 Thus saith thy Lord Jehovah, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people,
Behold, I have taken out of thy hand the cup of staggering, even the bowl ...
/b/beaker.htm - 7k

Counselling (9 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 19:17 And the land of Judah hath been to Egypt for a cause of staggering,
Every one who doth mention it, for himself feareth, Because of the counsel of ...
/c/counselling.htm - 9k

Staggers (3 Occurrences)

/s/staggers.htm - 7k

Staggereth (1 Occurrence)

/s/staggereth.htm - 6k

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