Definition: And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from 1 Chronicles 21:15. It’s a really important and somewhat complex verse in the Old Testament, and it speaks about God’s judgment and a divine plan. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: A Siege is Coming: The verse describes a large, intense siege (a long-term attack) being launched against Jerusalem by the Jebusites – a group of people who were attacking the city. God Sees and Reacts: God sees this siege and is profoundly upset. He's not just passively watching; He’s actively intervening. The Angel's Role: An angel (a messenger from God) appears to destroy the city. This happens as the attack intensifies. God’s Judgment & Repentance: As the angel is destroying, God watches and sees that the angel is still acting in a way that’s wrong. He realizes the angel is doing something terrible and unjust. So, God immediately stops the angel's actions. The Angel’s Command: God then tells the angel to stop his destructive work. He says, "It is enough, stay now thine hand." This is a crucial part – the angel must stop. What Does It Mean? This verse is about God's justice and His plan for the land. Here’s what it suggests: God’s Sovereignty: God is in control of everything, even when He seems to be letting things happen. Divine Justice: God is punishing evil and injustice. The Jebusites were acting unjustly – attacking a city that was already peaceful. The Angel's Role as a Tool: The angel is a tool of God’s judgment. It’s not about the angel being inherently bad; it’s about his actions being wrong. Symbolic Meaning (A bit deeper) Some people interpret this verse symbolically: The Siege Represents Sin: The siege itself represents sin and rebellion against God's will. The Angel is a Messenger of God: The angel acts as a messenger, bringing God’s judgment. Stopping the Angel = Stopping the Evil: It signifies that God ultimately triumphs over evil through His righteous actions. In short, this verse describes a moment where God directly intervenes to stop a destructive act and then, with a sense of justice, begins to work towards repairing what was broken. Do you want me to explain any part of this in more detail? For example, would you like: A deeper look at the symbolism? A breakdown of the key phrases?