Isaiah 24:20 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The earth staggers like a drunk, removed like a flimsy shelter; weighed down by transgression, it falls permanently.
The Context of Isaiah 24:20
Finality of earth's judgment and collapse.
What Does Isaiah 24:20 Mean?
The earth's reeling (נוּעַ, nuʿa) like a drunkard is a vivid image of loss of stability. A cottage easily removed suggests that even the solid earth is fragile before God. This metaphor stresses complete reversal of what seemed immovable.
The language of fall and no rising again closes the door on recovery or restoration. Transgression's weight (מִשְׁקַל־פְּשַׁע, mishqal-peshaʿ) pins the earth down, preventing restoration. This appears to be final judgment.
Isaiah 24:20 in the Original Language
reel (נוּעַ) — nuʿa; 'to totter' or 'shake'; suggests dizzying loss of balance and stability.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 24:20
What does Isaiah 24:20 mean?
The earth staggers like a drunk, removed like a flimsy shelter; weighed down by transgression, it falls permanently.
What is the context of Isaiah 24:20?
Finality of earth's judgment and collapse.