Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Usage:The term "reel" in the Bible is often associated with a state of staggering or being unsteady, typically as a result of intoxication or divine judgment. It is used metaphorically to describe the effects of God's wrath or the disorientation caused by sin and rebellion against God. Biblical References: 1. Isaiah 24:20 : "The earth staggers like a drunkard and sways like a hut. Its transgression weighs it down, and it falls, never to rise again." In this passage, the prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of reeling to describe the earth's instability due to the weight of sin. The earth's staggering is symbolic of the judgment that comes upon it because of widespread iniquity. 2. Isaiah 29:9 : "Stop and be astonished; blind yourselves and be sightless; be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not from strong drink." Here, the prophet Isaiah speaks to the spiritual blindness and confusion of the people. The reeling is not from physical intoxication but from a spiritual stupor, indicating a lack of understanding and discernment due to their rebellion against God. 3. Psalm 107:27 : "They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless." This verse is part of a psalm that describes the distress of those at sea during a storm. The reeling and staggering illustrate the helplessness and vulnerability of humans in the face of God's mighty power, emphasizing the need for divine intervention and deliverance. Theological Implications: The concept of reeling in the Bible often serves as a metaphor for the consequences of sin and the judgment of God. It highlights the instability and confusion that result from turning away from God's commandments. The imagery of reeling underscores the futility of relying on human strength and wisdom in the face of divine judgment. In a broader theological context, reeling can also represent the spiritual disorientation that occurs when individuals or nations reject God's truth. It serves as a warning of the chaos and disorder that ensue when God's order is disregarded. Moral and Spiritual Lessons: The biblical use of "reel" calls believers to remain steadfast in their faith and to avoid the spiritual intoxication that comes from sin and disobedience. It encourages a reliance on God's wisdom and guidance to maintain spiritual stability. The imagery serves as a reminder of the importance of repentance and the need to seek God's mercy and grace to avoid the consequences of spiritual reeling. Cultural and Historical Context: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, drunkenness was often associated with a loss of control and dignity. The biblical authors used this imagery to convey the severity of divine judgment and the disarray that follows sin. The metaphor of reeling would have been a powerful illustration for the original audience, who understood the physical and social implications of intoxication. Overall, the concept of reeling in the Bible serves as a vivid portrayal of the effects of sin and the necessity of aligning oneself with God's will to achieve true stability and peace. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A lively dance of the Highlanders of Scotland; also, the music to the dance; -- often called Scotch reel.2. (n.) A frame with radial arms, or a kind of spool, turning on an axis, on which yarn, threads, lines, or the like, are wound; as, a log reel, used by seamen; an angler's reel; a garden reel. 3. (n.) A machine on which yarn is wound and measured into lays and hanks, -- for cotton or linen it is fifty-four inches in circuit; for worsted, thirty inches. 4. (n.) A device consisting of radial arms with horizontal stats, connected with a harvesting machine, for holding the stalks of grain in position to be cut by the knives. 5. (v. t.) To roll. 6. (v. t.) To wind upon a reel, as yarn or thread. 7. (v. i.) To incline, in walking, from one side to the other; to stagger. 8. (v. i.) To have a whirling sensation; to be giddy. Strong's Hebrew 7477. raal -- to quiver, shake, reel... 7476, 7477. raal. 7478 . to quiver, shake, reel. Transliteration: raal Phonetic Spelling: (raw-al') Short Definition: brandished. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/7477.htm - 5k 6328. puq -- to reel, totter 7686. shagah -- to go astray, err 2287. chagag -- to make a pilgrimage, keep a pilgrim feast 5128. nua -- to quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter 8582. taah -- to err 2904. tul -- to hurl, cast Library The Scales of Judgment Never! Never! Never! Never! Never! But If, for the Contest's Sake, God had Appointed Martyrdoms for ... A Preliminary Discourse to Catechising Gratitude and Love to God The Bible Frank Leigh's Song. AD 1586 A March The Lesson of Memory Nearness to God the Key to Life's Puzzle Thesaurus Reel (6 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A lively dance of the Highlanders of Scotland; also, the music to the dance; -- often called Scotch reel. ... /r/reel.htm - 9k Stagger (20 Occurrences) Visions (43 Occurrences) Totter (9 Occurrences) Swallowed (43 Occurrences) Fro (54 Occurrences) Rock (176 Occurrences) Drunkard (15 Occurrences) Confused (13 Occurrences) Err (41 Occurrences) Resources Should Christians participate in religious festivals of other religions? | GotQuestions.orgShould churches be seeker-friendly? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about vanity? | GotQuestions.org Reel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Reel (6 Occurrences)Psalms 60:3 Psalms 107:27 Proverbs 5:23 Isaiah 24:20 Isaiah 28:7 Jeremiah 25:16 Subtopics Related Terms |