תַּרְעֵלָה
𐤕𐤓𐤏𐤋𐤄
tarʻêlâh
H8653 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or condition characterized by trembling, staggering, or being overcome with overwhelming emotion (such as confusion, terror, or astonishment). It often describes a physical or emotional response to sudden shock, fear, or supernatural encounter, that can manifest as physical unsteadiness or disorientation.
Semantic Range
staggering (as from intoxication), reeling (from shock or terror), trembling (bodily or emotional), astonishment, state of being overcome by overwhelming emotion or divine action
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root רָעַל (r-ʿ-l), which fundamentally conveys ideas of quivering, shaking, or staggering, often as a result of intoxication or emotional shock. The noun תַּרְעֵלָה is formed with the prefix ת- indicating an abstract or result, thus denoting an intensified state or outcome of the root action.
Historical & Contextual Notes
תַּרְעֵלָה appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible, with its chief attestation being Isaiah 51:17 and 51:22, where it refers to the staggering or reeled state brought about by consuming the ‘cup of the Lord’s wrath.’ In these contexts, the word does not merely imply physical drunkenness, but rather a metaphorical or figurative sense of being overwhelmed by disaster, judgment, or divine intervention, resulting in confusion and trembling. It conveys both a physical experience (like literal staggering) and a heightened emotional or psychological state (astonishment or terror). This word is distinct from other Hebrew terms such as חרטה (remorse) or פחד (fear) in that it emphasizes the involuntary or overpowering aspect of the reaction, often likened to drunkenness but explicitly caused by something overwhelming—typically of divine origin in biblical usage. Standard English translations such as “astonishment,” “reeling,” or “trembling” each capture only part of the nuance; none fully convey the metaphorical sense of being staggered or stricken with awe or terror by a greater force. During the exilic and post-exilic periods, the term does not occur, and its usage seems limited to poetic and prophetic contexts, with potential links to ritual oracles or laments describing catastrophic judgment.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from רָעַל; reeling; astonishment, trembling.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רעל (r-ʿ-l) — tremble, stagger, reel, quiver
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4831 | מַרְעֲלָה | and Maralah |
| H7477 | רָעַל | they were caused to stagger |
| H7478 | רַעַל | reeling state |
| H7479 | רַעֲלָה | and the fluttering veils |
| H7480 | רְעֵלָיָה | Yahweh Has Shaken |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8653-01 |
הַ/תַּרְעֵלָ֛ה | hatareelah | HTd/Ncfsa |
of staggering | the staggering state | 2 |
H8653-02 |
תַּרְעֵלָֽה | tareelah | HNcfsa |
staggering | reeling state | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8653-01 |
Isaiah 51:17 | הַ/תַּרְעֵלָ֛ה | hatareelah | HTd/Ncfsa |
of staggering | the staggering state |
H8653-01 |
Isaiah 51:22 | הַ/תַּרְעֵלָ֑ה | hatareelah | HTd/Ncfsa |
of-staggering | the staggering state |
H8653-02 |
Psalms 60:5 | תַּרְעֵלָֽה | tareelah | HNcfsa |
staggering | reeling state |