In biblical literature, the term "totters" is often used to describe a state of instability or weakness, both physically and metaphorically. The concept of tottering is frequently employed to illustrate the precariousness of human strength and the transient nature of worldly power when contrasted with the steadfastness of God.

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 62:2 : "He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Here, the psalmist expresses confidence in God's unwavering support, implying that without such divine backing, one might easily totter or be shaken by life's challenges.

2. Psalm 18:36 : "You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not give way." This verse metaphorically suggests that without God's guidance and support, one's path might be unstable, causing them to totter.

3. Isaiah 24:20 : "The earth staggers like a drunkard and sways like a hut. Its transgression weighs it down, and it falls, never to rise again." This vivid imagery of the earth tottering under the weight of sin underscores the instability that results from turning away from God's commandments.

Theological Implications:

The imagery of tottering is often used to highlight the contrast between human frailty and divine strength. In the biblical worldview, reliance on God provides stability and security, while dependence on human strength or worldly power leads to instability and eventual downfall. This theme is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing the need for faith and trust in God as the ultimate source of strength and stability.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons:

1. Dependence on God: The recurring theme of tottering serves as a reminder of the importance of relying on God rather than on one's own understanding or abilities. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

2. Humility: Recognizing one's own propensity to totter encourages humility. It reminds believers of their need for God's grace and guidance in all aspects of life.

3. Faithfulness: The imagery of tottering also calls believers to remain faithful and steadfast in their walk with God, knowing that He is the firm foundation that prevents them from falling.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the concept of tottering was not only a physical description but also a metaphor for political and social instability. Kingdoms and rulers were often described as tottering when they faced threats or challenges that could lead to their downfall. This cultural understanding enriches the biblical use of the term, as it conveys both personal and communal implications of instability without divine support.

Conclusion:

The biblical use of "totters" serves as a powerful metaphor for the instability inherent in human endeavors apart from God. It calls believers to a life of faith, humility, and reliance on the divine, underscoring the enduring truth that God alone is the source of true stability and strength.4131. mot -- to totter, shake, slip
... immovable* (1), moved (8), shake (1), shaken (11), shaken violently (1), slip (4),
slipped (2), slips (1), staggering (1), totter (3), tottered (1), totters (1 ...
/hebrew/4131.htm - 6k

5110. nud -- to move to and fro, wander, flutter, show grief
... 1), drive away (1), flee (2), flitting (1), grieve (1), grieving (1), mourn (4),
shake (2), shaken (1), sympathize (1), sympathy (1), totters (1), wander (2 ...
/hebrew/5110.htm - 6k

Again on Matt. xiv. 25:00:00 of the Lord Walking on the Waves of ...
... Yet see this Peter, who was then our figure; now he trusts, and now he totters;
now he confesses the Undying, and now he fears lest He should die. Wherefore? ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxvi again on matt.htm

Letter i. The Christian's Mark.
... But, when it begins to feel confident of its own strength, and lets go its
hold, it soon totters and falls. So with the Christian. ...
/.../letter i the christians mark.htm

'the Angel Adjutant'
... The men are thieves, begging-letter writers, pickpockets, bookmakers' touts, totters
(rag and bone men), and trouncers (men paid by costermongers to shout ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/x the angel adjutant.htm

The Declensions of Christianity, an Argument of Its Truth. .
... This religion is not therefore from God, but of man's device. Propt up as it is,
by human laws, and supported by "the powers that be," it totters towards ruin. ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon iii the declensions of.htm

The Glorious Gospel
... another preach salvation by an angel, our sins are so heavy that an angelic atonement
would have been insufficient; and therefore his gospel totters to the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the glorious gospel.htm

Letter xii. --After the Retreat.
... We need not be astonished when we experience afflictions, when even our reason totters,
that poor reason so blind in the ways of faith; for it is a strange ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter xii after the retreat.htm

Importance of Small Things in Religion
... The ark is dragged by the oxen; but as there are no roads in the East, but only
here and there a cart rut, the cart shakes, and the ark totters. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/importance of small things in.htm

The Impassibility and Immortality of the Risen Body.
... away; elasticity of limb gives way to the decrepitude of old age, and finally the
whole frame becomes a burden under which nature groans and totters, until it ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter vii the impassibility and.htm

The Mysteries of the Brazen Serpent
... Look ye at a bloated drunkard; see him after years of intoxication have defaced
all that was manlike in him, as he totters to his grave a poor feeble creature ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the mysteries of the brazen.htm

St. Ambrose Explains that the Flesh Given to Satan for Destruction ...
... Let us be on our guard against abundance of this wine, for when the flesh is
intoxicated the mind totters, the heart wavers, the heart is carried to and fro. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xiv st ambrose explains.htm

Totters (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Totters (3 Occurrences). Psalms 60:2 Thou hast made
the land to shake, Thou hast cleft it; heal the breaches ...
/t/totters.htm - 7k

Fall (522 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To cease to be erect; to take suddenly a recumbent posture; to become prostrate;
to drop; as, a child totters and falls; a tree falls; a worshiper ...
/f/fall.htm - 62k

Totter (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To shake so as to threaten a fall; to vacillate;
to be unsteady; to stagger; as, an old man totters with age. ...
/t/totter.htm - 8k

Tou (4 Occurrences)

/t/tou.htm - 8k

Tottering (5 Occurrences)

/t/tottering.htm - 7k

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