Isaiah 24:20
Isaiah 24:20 in Multiple Translations
The earth staggers like a drunkard and sways like a shack. Earth’s rebellion weighs it down, and it falls, never to rise again.
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.
The earth shall stagger like a drunken man, and shall sway to and fro like a hammock; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it, and it shall fall, and not rise again.
The earth will be moving uncertainly, like a man overcome by drink; it will be shaking like a tent; and the weight of its sin will be on it, crushing it down so that it will not get up again.
The earth staggers to and fro like a drunk, and sways this way and that like a shelter. The guilt of its rebelliousness weighs heavily on it, and it collapses—it won't rise again.
The earth shall reele to and from like a drunken man, and shall be remooued like a tent, and the iniquitie thereof shall be heauie vpon it: so that it shall fall, and rise no more.
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.
The earth will stagger like a drunken man, and will sway back and forth like a hammock. Its disobedience will be heavy on it, and it will fall and not rise again.
The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression of it shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
With shaking shall the earth be shaken as a drunken man, and shall be removed as the tent of one night: and the iniquity thereof shall be heavy upon it, and it shall fell, and not rise again.
It will be as though the earth will stagger like [SIM] a drunk; it will shake like [SIM] a hut shakes in a windstorm. It will collapse and not be able to rise again, because the guilt of the people who rebel against Yahweh is very great.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 24:20
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Isaiah 24:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 24:20
Study Notes — Isaiah 24:20
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 24:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 24:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 24:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 24:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 24:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 24:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 24:20
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 24:20
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 24:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 24:20
- Sermons on Isaiah 24:20
Context — God’s Judgment on the Earth
20The earth staggers like a drunkard and sways like a shack. Earth’s rebellion weighs it down, and it falls, never to rise again.
21In that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven above and the kings of the earth below. 22They will be gathered together like prisoners in a pit. They will be confined to a dungeon and punished after many days.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 19:14 | The LORD has poured into her a spirit of confusion. Egypt has been led astray in all she does, as a drunkard staggers through his own vomit. |
| 2 | Hosea 4:1–5 | Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another. Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear. But let no man contend; let no man offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with a priest. You will stumble by day, and the prophet will stumble with you by night; so I will destroy your mother— |
| 3 | Daniel 11:19 | After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble and fall and be no more. |
| 4 | Isaiah 29:9 | Stop and be astonished; blind yourselves and be sightless; be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not from strong drink. |
| 5 | Amos 8:14 | Those who swear by the guilt of Samaria and say, ‘As surely as your god lives, O Dan,’ or, ‘As surely as the way of Beersheba lives’— they will fall, never to rise again.” |
| 6 | Revelation 18:21 | Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again. |
| 7 | Psalms 107:27 | They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless. |
| 8 | Isaiah 1:8 | And the Daughter of Zion is abandoned like a shelter in a vineyard, like a shack in a cucumber field, like a city besieged. |
| 9 | Isaiah 1:28 | But rebels and sinners will together be shattered, and those who forsake the LORD will perish. |
| 10 | Isaiah 43:27 | Your first father sinned, and your spokesmen rebelled against Me. |
Isaiah 24:20 Summary
[Isaiah 24:20 is saying that the earth is like a person who is very drunk and can't stand up straight, and this is because of the sin and rebellion of the people living on it, as also described in Romans 8:20-22. The earth is being weighed down by the sinful actions of humanity and will eventually fall and never be able to get back up, which is a picture of God's final judgment on the world. This reminds us that our actions have consequences, not just for ourselves, but for the world around us, and that we need to trust in God's sovereignty and control over the earth, as described in Psalm 46:1-11.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the earth to stagger like a drunkard in Isaiah 24:20?
This phrase is a metaphor that describes the earth's unsteady and unstable condition, much like a person under the influence of alcohol, as a result of sin and rebellion against God, as seen in Isaiah 24:20 and also in Romans 8:20-22 where creation is said to be subject to futility because of sin.
How does earth's rebellion weigh it down according to Isaiah 24:20?
The earth's rebellion refers to the sinful actions of humanity that lead to the earth's downfall, as described in Isaiah 24:20, and this is also echoed in Revelation 11:18 where it is said that God will destroy those who destroy the earth.
What does it mean for the earth to fall and never rise again in Isaiah 24:20?
This phrase indicates a final and irreversible judgment on the earth, where the earth will be completely devastated and unable to recover, much like the description in 2 Peter 3:10 where the earth and the works in it will be burned up.
Is Isaiah 24:20 talking about a literal or figurative earth?
While the verse uses literal language to describe the earth, it is also using figurative language to convey the idea of God's judgment on the world and its systems, similar to how Jesus used parables in the Gospel of Matthew 13:1-52 to convey spiritual truths.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can see the effects of sin and rebellion in my own life and in the world around me, and how can I respond to these in a way that honors God?
- How does the idea of the earth's final and irreversible judgment in Isaiah 24:20 affect my perspective on the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God?
- In what ways can I be a part of bringing healing and restoration to a broken world, as described in Isaiah 61:1-4 and Luke 4:18-19?
- What does it mean for me to trust in God's sovereignty and control over the earth, even when it seems like everything is falling apart, as described in Psalm 46:1-11?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 24:20
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 24:20
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 24:20
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 24:20
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 24:20
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 24:20
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 24:20
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 24:20
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 24:20
Sermons on Isaiah 24:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Jude #3 - the Angels That Sinned by Chuck Missler | In this sermon, the speaker discusses a controversial passage in the Bible, specifically verse 6 of Jude. The speaker presents three views on the interpretation of this verse. The |
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Epistle 271 by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the danger of straying from the light, spirit, and power of God, leading to confusion and a lack of true form in life. He warns that those who follow their ow |
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God's Controversy With the Backslidden Church by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Hosea and the controversy between God and the backslidden church. He emphasizes that God is seeking to balance the books and tak |
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Hosea #3 Ch. 4-5 Israel's Willful Ignorance by Chuck Missler | In this sermon on the book of Hosea, the speaker begins by highlighting the broken home of Israel as a result of their adulterous relationship with God. The focus then shifts to ch |
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How to Study Your Bible - Part 1 by Kay Arthur | In this sermon, Kay Arthur teaches on how to study the Bible effectively. She emphasizes the importance of engaging all of our senses when studying, as it helps with memory retenti |
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Bristol Conference 1962 - Part 3 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of idolatry and how it can manifest in our lives. He emphasizes the importance of identifying the subjects that we are most passio |
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What Is a Faithful Servant? by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of being prepared and faithful for the return of Jesus, highlighting the distinction between the wise and foolish servants. It delves into the |






