Staggers
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Staggers, in a biblical context, often refers to a state of confusion, instability, or disorientation, both physically and spiritually. This term is used metaphorically in the Scriptures to describe the effects of divine judgment, the consequences of sin, or the overwhelming presence of God's power.

Biblical References:

1. Physical Staggering:
· In the Bible, physical staggering is often associated with drunkenness or the effects of consuming too much wine. Isaiah 28:7 states, "These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments." Here, the physical act of staggering is linked to a moral and spiritual failing, illustrating how indulgence can lead to a loss of clarity and righteousness.

2. Spiritual Staggering:
· Spiritual staggering is depicted as a result of turning away from God or being subjected to His judgment. In Isaiah 29:9 , it is written, "Stop and be astonished; blind yourselves and be sightless; be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not from strong drink." This passage uses the imagery of staggering to describe a spiritual blindness and confusion that comes from rejecting God's truth.

3. Divine Judgment:
· The concept of staggering is also used to illustrate the impact of God's judgment on nations and peoples. In Jeremiah 25:16 , the prophet speaks of the nations drinking the cup of God's wrath: "They will drink and stagger and go out of their minds because of the sword that I will send among them." Here, staggering symbolizes the chaos and disarray that result from divine retribution.

4. Overwhelming Presence of God:
· The overwhelming presence of God can also cause a form of staggering, as seen in the reaction of those who encounter His glory. In Psalm 60:3 , the psalmist laments, "You have shown Your people hardship; we are staggered by the wine You made us drink." This verse reflects the awe and humbling effect of experiencing God's majesty and the trials He allows for the purpose of refining His people.

Theological Implications:

Staggering, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a powerful metaphor for the consequences of sin and the human condition apart from God. It highlights the instability and confusion that arise when individuals or nations stray from divine guidance. The imagery of staggering underscores the need for spiritual sobriety and vigilance, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith and reliance on God's wisdom.

In a broader theological sense, the concept of staggering calls attention to the transformative power of God's presence and the importance of aligning one's life with His will. It serves as a reminder of the potential for restoration and clarity when one turns back to God, seeking His truth and righteousness.
Strong's Hebrew
8582. taah -- to err
... astray (1), leads to ruin (1), led my astray (2), led them astray (3), led...astray
(2), misled (1), reels (1), seduced (1), stagger (3), staggers (1), stray (3 ...
/hebrew/8582.htm - 6k
Library

His Schools and Schoolmasters.
... And is not that the point where our faith staggers still? We can believe
in the wonder-working power of God on the distant horizon ...
/.../meyer/john the baptist/iii his schools and schoolmasters.htm

A String of Pearls
... The word rendered in Authorised Version 'is deceived,' and in Revised Version 'erreth,'
is literally 'staggers' or 'reels,' and it is more graphic to keep that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a string of pearls.htm

The Morning Breaketh
... watch tower and sees the two messengers running, the second one bringing him tidings
of the death of his son, and from this watch tower he staggers back again ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/the morning breaketh.htm

Eighth Day. Submission to God's Word.
... There may be, there is, in the Bible, what reason staggers at: "we have nothing
to draw with, and the well is deep." But, "Thus saith the Lord," is enough. ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/eighth day submission to gods.htm

Cii the Retreat
... But ah! my soul with too much stay. Is drunk, and staggers in the way! Some men
a forward motion love,. But I by backward steps would move; ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cii the retreat.htm

Of the Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which the Platonists ...
... corporeal and the incorporeal. But perhaps it is the unprecedented birth
of a body from a virgin that staggers you? But, so far ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 29 of the incarnation of.htm

God's Blessing Implored on the Temperance Cause.
... 3 Pity, O God, the heedless wretch, Who staggers to a dreadful grave; Thy arm of
love around him stretch, And show that thou art strong to save. ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/795 gods blessing implored.htm

Another Wonderful Record of 25.
... very poor minister, and kept a cow, which was a very great help in the support of
his children"he had ten of them;"and the cow took the "staggers" and died ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/another wonderful record of 25 00.htm

The Kingdom of God and Your Part in It
... by the number of cities in your country, and that by the number of countries in
the world, and you have a ghastly spectre under which your imagination staggers ...
/.../stones rolled away and other addresses to young men/vi the kingdom of god.htm

Loving Advice for Anxious Seekers
... When the mariner feels that the vessel is sinking, that the proud waves must soon
overwhelm her, then he reels to and fro, and staggers like a drunken man ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 13 1867/loving advice for anxious seekers.htm

Thesaurus
Staggers (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Staggers (3 Occurrences). Isaiah 3:8 For Jerusalem
has become feeble, and destruction has come on Judah ...
/s/staggers.htm - 7k

Stagger (20 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) A disease of horses and other animals, attended by reeling, unsteady gait
or sudden falling; as, parasitic staggers; appopletic or sleepy staggers. ...
/s/stagger.htm - 13k

Staggering (7 Occurrences)

/s/staggering.htm - 8k

Vomit (12 Occurrences)
... Yahweh has mixed a spirit of perverseness in the midst of her; and they have caused
Egypt to go astray in all of its works, like a drunken man staggers in his ...
/v/vomit.htm - 10k

Drunken (38 Occurrences)
... Yahweh has mixed a spirit of perverseness in the midst of her; and they have caused
Egypt to go astray in all of its works, like a drunken man staggers in his ...
/d/drunken.htm - 18k

Stagnant (2 Occurrences)

/s/stagnant.htm - 7k

Perverseness (46 Occurrences)
... Yahweh has mixed a spirit of perverseness in the midst of her; and they have caused
Egypt to go astray in all of its works, like a drunken man staggers in his ...
/p/perverseness.htm - 18k

Perverse (55 Occurrences)
... Yahweh has mixed a spirit of perverseness in the midst of her; and they have caused
Egypt to go astray in all of its works, like a drunken man staggers in his ...
/p/perverse.htm - 22k

Astray (116 Occurrences)
... Yahweh has mixed a spirit of perverseness in the midst of her; and they have caused
Egypt to go astray in all of its works, like a drunken man staggers in his ...
/a/astray.htm - 36k

Mixed (96 Occurrences)
... Yahweh has mixed a spirit of perverseness in the midst of her; and they have caused
Egypt to go astray in all of its works, like a drunken man staggers in his ...
/m/mixed.htm - 40k

Resources
What does the Bible say about disrespectful children? | GotQuestions.org

Staggers: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Staggers (3 Occurrences)

Isaiah 3:8
For Jerusalem has become feeble, and destruction has come on Judah, because their words and their acts are against the Lord, moving the eyes of his glory to wrath.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 19:14
Yahweh has mixed a spirit of perverseness in the midst of her; and they have caused Egypt to go astray in all of its works, like a drunken man staggers in his vomit.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 24:20
Stagger greatly doth the land as a drunkard, And it hath been moved as a lodge, And heavy on it hath been its transgression, And it hath fallen, and addeth not to rise.
(See RSV)

Subtopics

Staggers

Related Terms

Stain (6 Occurrences)

Lively (5 Occurrences)

Pool (25 Occurrences)

Creator (19 Occurrences)

Staggers (3 Occurrences)

Sultry (1 Occurrence)

Standing (334 Occurrences)

Living (3112 Occurrences)

Water (4571 Occurrences)

Staggering and Stumbling
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