The term "tottered" is often used to describe a state of instability or weakness, typically in a physical or metaphorical sense. In the context of the Bible, it can refer to the faltering or unsteady condition of individuals, nations, or structures, both literal and figurative. The concept of tottering is frequently associated with divine judgment, human frailty, or the transient nature of worldly power.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Human Frailty and Divine Judgment: The imagery of tottering is used in Scripture to depict the frailty of human life and the inevitable judgment that comes from God. In Psalm 62:3 , the psalmist laments, "How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you throw him down like a leaning wall or a tottering fence?" Here, the tottering fence symbolizes the vulnerability of individuals under the threat of adversaries, highlighting the precariousness of human strength without divine support.

2. Nations and Kingdoms: The Bible often uses the concept of tottering to describe the instability of nations and kingdoms that do not stand on the foundation of God's righteousness. In Isaiah 24:20 , it is written, "The earth staggers like a drunkard and sways like a hut. Its transgression weighs it down, and it falls, never to rise again." This passage illustrates the tottering of the earth as a metaphor for the judgment upon nations that have turned away from God, emphasizing the ultimate sovereignty of the Lord over all earthly powers.

3. Spiritual and Moral Instability: Tottering can also refer to spiritual and moral instability. In Psalm 73:2 , the psalmist confesses, "But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped." Although the word "tottered" is not directly used here, the imagery of slipping and stumbling conveys a similar sense of spiritual wavering and the need for steadfastness in faith.

4. Divine Support and Stability: In contrast to the instability represented by tottering, the Bible frequently assures believers of the stability and support found in God. Psalm 55:22 encourages, "Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken." This promise underscores the idea that while human strength may falter, those who rely on the Lord will find a firm foundation and will not totter.

Theological Implications

The concept of tottering in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the limitations of human strength and the transient nature of worldly power. It calls believers to place their trust in God, who alone provides true stability and security. The imagery of tottering challenges individuals and nations to examine their foundations and to seek the enduring strength that comes from a relationship with the Almighty. Through faith and reliance on God's promises, believers are assured that they will not be shaken, even amidst the uncertainties of life.(imp. & p. p.) of Totter.4131. mot -- to totter, shake, slip
... immovable* (1), moved (8), shake (1), shaken (11), shaken violently (1), slip (4),
slipped (2), slips (1), staggering (1), totter (3), tottered (1), totters (1 ...
/hebrew/4131.htm - 6k

Again on Matt. xiv. 25:00:00 of the Lord Walking on the Waves of ...
... has just been read touching the Lord Christ, who walked on the waters of the sea;
[2566] and the Apostle Peter, who as he was walking, tottered through fear ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxvi again on matt.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xvii. 19, "Why could not we Cast ...
... let us call upon Him as the disciples called, saying, "Lord, increase our faith."
[2689] Peter both put his trust in Him, and tottered; but notwithstanding he ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxx on the words.htm

Things that Cannot be Shaken
... Many a religious experience that has seemed fair enough when all was going well
in life has tottered and fallen when trials have come, because its foundations ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 11 things that cannot.htm

The Machinery of the Society
... To live through the centuries and pervade the uttermost ends of the earth, to stand
while kingdoms tottered and civilizations changed, to survive fallen ...
/.../the machinery of the society.htm

Jesus, the Great Object of Astonishment.
... I do not know whether His gait was stooping, or whether His knees tottered, and
His walk was feeble; but there was evidently a something about Him which gave ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/jesus the great object of.htm

Peace in Believing.
... Thou hast tried the world. It has deceived thee. Prop after prop of earthly scaffolding
has yielded, and tottered, and fallen. Has thy God ever done so? Ah! ...
/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/19th day peace in believing.htm

Walamir and Eutyches
... ended. Shocked beyond utterance by all that he had heard and witnessed,
the old man tottered back to his lonely presbytery. But ...
/.../chapter xxxv walamir and eutyches.htm

Jesus is Taken Before Pilate.
... He tottered rather than walked, and was almost unrecognisable from the effects of
his sufferings during the night;"he was colourless, haggard, his face ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xv jesus is taken.htm

Psalm LXXIV.
... not God were enriched with those things which he was looking for from God: and as
though without cause he had served God, his feet tottered....But opportunely ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxiv.htm

Letter xxxix. To Paula.
... her walk. Her steps tottered with weakness, her face was pale and quivering,
her slender neck scarcely upheld her head. Still she ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxxix to paula.htm

Tottered (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Totter. Multi-Version Concordance Tottered
(1 Occurrence). Psalms 46:6 The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. ...
/t/tottered.htm - 6k

Totter (9 Occurrences)

/t/totter.htm - 8k

Tottereth (2 Occurrences)

/t/tottereth.htm - 6k

Tottered: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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