שִׁכָּרוֹן (shik.ka.ron)
shik.ka.ron
drunkenness
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun shikkaron refers to the state of being drunk or intoxicated, appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible within Jeremiah 25:27. In this context, it describes the physical and mental disorientation caused by excessive wine consumption, serving as a concrete symbol for the confusion that results from rejecting divine instruction.
Its single occurrence carries significant weight, as God commands the prophet to make all nations drink from the cup of this intoxication. Here, drunkenness is not merely a personal vice but a metaphor for the chaotic consequences of judgment. The imagery suggests a loss of clarity and control that mirrors spiritual blindness, illustrating how turning away from wisdom leads to a fractured understanding of reality.
Translators typically render this word simply as "drunkenness," which captures its literal sense without adding theological speculation. By using such a visceral image, the text emphasizes the severity of the coming consequences, showing that the result of ignoring God’s word is a profound and unsettling disorientation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word shikkaron describes a state of deep intoxication, appearing uniquely in Jeremiah 13:13. Here it is not used to describe a personal struggle with alcohol, but as a powerful symbol for the confusion that follows when people turn away from God’s guidance. The prophet is told that this cup will be given to kings, priests, and all inhabitants of Jerusalem.
For your faith, this word highlights the value of spiritual clarity. When we seek wisdom from the Lord, we are offered a steady mind and a clear path. Turning away from that source leads to disorientation, much like physical drunkenness clouds judgment. This imagery reminds us that true peace comes from aligning our lives with divine instruction rather than our own limited understanding.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- drunkenness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שִׁכָּרֽוֹן\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 13:13
Then tell them, ‘Yahweh says, “Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.
This verse uses shikkaron to symbolize the widespread confusion and loss of control that results from rejecting God's authority, affecting every level of society.