King James Version

What Does Isaiah 51:21 Mean?

Isaiah 51:21 in the King James Version says “Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:”

Isaiah 51:21 · KJV

Context

19

These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee? are: Heb. happened destruction: Heb. breaking

20

Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.

21

Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:

22

Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:

23

But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine: The transitional "Therefore" (lakhen, לָכֵן) signals a crucial shift from judgment (vv. 17-20) to mercy. Despite deserved wrath, God addresses His people with covenant tenderness: "thou afflicted" ('aniyah, עֲנִיָּה) acknowledges their suffering; "drunken" recalls the cup of fury (v. 17); but the qualification "not with wine" distinguishes this intoxication from careless revelry—this is judgment's stupor, not pleasure's excess.

The call "hear now this" demands attention to the reversal about to be announced. God addresses those in misery, not those who've achieved victory or demonstrated worthiness. This models gospel grace—God speaks comfort to the afflicted, not the self-righteous. The acknowledgment that drunkenness comes "not with wine" shows God understands the cause of their condition; He doesn't mock their weakness or demand they sober up through willpower. He addresses them in their affliction, meeting them where they are.

From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates effectual calling—God speaks to the spiritually stupefied, those incapable of responding apart from grace. The word itself enables hearing: "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). God doesn't wait for Jerusalem to awaken herself (v. 17's command); He addresses her in her drunken state, His word itself creating capacity to hear. This grounds assurance in divine initiative, not human capability.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The distinction between drunkenness from wine versus judgment's cup addresses both literal and metaphorical conditions. Lamentations 4:21 prophesies that Edom will drink the cup, showing this image was understood in Isaiah's cultural context. The phrase "not with wine" prevents misunderstanding—this isn't moral failure through intoxication but suffering under divine judgment.

Ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature often addressed proper and improper drinking (Proverbs 23:29-35, 31:4-7). Isaiah's qualification ensures listeners understand Jerusalem's condition results from God's judgment, not their alcoholism. The promise of hearing suggests the deafness induced by judgment will be overcome by God's word—foreshadowing the gospel where Christ addresses spiritually deaf and blind (Mark 7:37, John 9:39), enabling them to hear and see through divine power.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God meeting you 'in your affliction' rather than requiring you to clean up first demonstrate grace?
  2. What spiritual stupor (not from wine but from judgment, fear, or sin) clouds your hearing of God's word?
  3. How can you extend similar patient address to others who are spiritually 'drunken but not with wine'?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
לָכֵ֛ן1 of 8
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

שִׁמְעִי2 of 8

“Therefore hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

נָ֥א3 of 8
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

זֹ֖את4 of 8
H2063

this (often used adverb)

עֲנִיָּ֑ה5 of 8

“now this thou afflicted”

H6041

depressed, in mind or circumstances

וּשְׁכֻרַ֖ת6 of 8

“and drunken”

H7937

to become tipsy; in a qualified sense, to satiate with a stimulating drink or (figuratively) influence

וְלֹ֥א7 of 8
H3808

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

מִיָּֽיִן׃8 of 8

“but not with wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

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 51:21 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 51:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 29:9Isaiah 54:11Isaiah 51:17

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