King James Version

What Does Isaiah 24:20 Mean?

Isaiah 24:20 in the King James Version says “The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shal...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.”

Isaiah 24:20 · KJV

Context

18

And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.

19

The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.

20

The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.

21

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. punish: Heb. visit upon

22

And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. as prisoners: Heb. with the gathering of prisoners pit: or, dungeon visited: or, found wanting

Read Isaiah 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard (נוֹעַ תָּנוּעַ אֶרֶץ כַּשִּׁכּוֹר)—The verb nua (stagger, reel) appears twice (intensified infinitive), conveying violent instability. The earth (erets) staggers like a shikkor (drunkard) who has lost all equilibrium. And shall be removed like a cottage—The Hebrew melunah refers to a temporary field shelter, a flimsy hut that strong winds easily blow away. The earth itself, seemingly stable and permanent, becomes as unstable as a drunk and as fragile as a shack.

The transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it (וְכָבַד עָלֶיהָ פִּשְׁעָהּ)—The verb kavad (heavy, weighty) describes crushing weight. Human pesha (rebellion, transgression) accumulates mass until the earth cannot bear it. And it shall fall, and not rise again—This eschatological finality points beyond historical judgments to the ultimate cosmic upheaval. The verb naphal (fall) with negative lo-tosif qum (will not rise again) indicates permanent collapse. Peter describes this same event: 'the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up' (2 Peter 3:10). This isn't mere political upheaval but cosmic dissolution under sin's unbearable weight.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah 24-27 (the 'Isaiah Apocalypse') shifts from specific nation judgments (chapters 13-23) to universal, cosmic judgment. Written in the 8th century BC, this prophetic vision transcends its immediate context to describe end-times events. Early Christians and Reformers saw here descriptions of final judgment preceding the New Heavens and New Earth.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of earth staggering under transgression's weight personify creation's groaning under sin (Romans 8:22)?
  2. What does it mean that sin has cosmic consequences, not just personal or social ones?
  3. How should the certainty of earth's final collapse shape our priorities and investments in this present world?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
תָּנ֤וּעַ1 of 13

“shall reel”

H5128

to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined)

תָּנ֤וּעַ2 of 13

“shall reel”

H5128

to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined)

אֶ֙רֶץ֙3 of 13

“The earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כַּשִּׁכּ֔וֹר4 of 13

“like a drunkard”

H7910

intoxicated, as a state or a habit

וְהִֽתְנוֹדְדָ֖ה5 of 13

“and shall be removed”

H5110

to nod, i.e., waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head in sympathy), to console, deplore, or (from tossing the hea

כַּמְּלוּנָ֑ה6 of 13

“like a cottage”

H4412

a hut, a hammock

וְכָבַ֤ד7 of 13

“thereof shall be heavy”

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

עָלֶ֙יהָ֙8 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פִּשְׁעָ֔הּ9 of 13

“and the transgression”

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

וְנָפְלָ֖ה10 of 13

“upon it and it shall fall”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

וְלֹא11 of 13
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תֹסִ֥יף12 of 13

“again”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

קֽוּם׃13 of 13

“and not rise”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 24:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 24:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 19:14Isaiah 29:9Daniel 11:19Hosea 4:1-5Amos 8:14Revelation 18:21

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