Definition: When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 8:35. It's a pretty serious passage about God’s judgment and forgiveness. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is angry with the people of Israel because they’ve disobeyed Him. He’s essentially saying, “You’ve been disrespectful to me, and I’m going to punish you.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain…” : This refers to a time of drought or hardship – a period where God’s power is diminished. It symbolizes a time when the world is suffering and God is withdrawing his protection. “…because they have sinned against thee;” : "They" refers to Israel (the people of Israel). “Sinning” means breaking God's rules or being disrespectful to Him. This verse emphasizes that they’ve done something wrong – perhaps not following His laws, ignoring His commands, or being selfish. “If they pray toward this place, and confess thy name…” : This is a plea for repentance – asking for forgiveness. They are asking God to hear them and acknowledge their wrongdoing. "Confess thy name" means admitting that they’ve messed up and are sorry. “…and turn from their sin…” : This is the key part. It's saying, “Let them stop doing what they’re doing wrong.” They need to actively change their behavior. “When thou afflictest them:” : This means "when God judges them." It suggests that God will ultimately hold them accountable for their actions. Overall Meaning: The verse is saying that God is watching over Israel and is displeased with their disobedience. He’s giving them a chance to repent (change) and show remorse. If they do, he will ultimately forgive them and restore peace. It's a warning and an opportunity for redemption. It’s a call to repentance and reminds us that God is always watching and can forgive those who seek forgiveness. --- To help me explain it even better, would you like me to: Explain any of the words in more detail? Give a historical context (when this verse was written)?