Definition: [Yet] if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 8:47. It’s a really important passage about repentance and seeking forgiveness. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is telling us that God wants people to think hard about what they’ve done wrong – to repent (turn back) – and to ask for forgiveness. It’s essentially saying, “We need you to acknowledge your mistakes.” Let's unpack it word-by-word: “Yet” : This word is a little tricky, but it introduces a contrast. It’s like a pause before something important happens. “If they shall bethink themselves…” : This means “if they think about it.” The word "beth" comes from the Hebrew word for "to reflect" or "to consider." It's asking them to really ponder what happened. “…in the land whither they were carried captives” : This is the key part. It refers back to the Israelites who were enslaved in Egypt and released by God. They were exiled from their home, and now they’re back in this specific land. It's a reminder of their past situation. “and repent…” : This means “to turn away from your wrongdoings.” It’s acknowledging that you have done something bad. “…and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives” : This is where it gets more specific. "The land of them that carried them captives" refers to the people who were enslaved by God, specifically those who were brought into this land. So, they are asking for forgiveness from God . It's a plea for repentance and seeking His mercy. “saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness” : This is the core of the request – “We have wronged you.” "Sin" means to do something that violates God’s law or will. "Perversely" means in a way that's wrong or harmful. It emphasizes that they need to show genuine remorse for their actions. In short, the verse is saying: "God wants us to confess our mistakes and ask for forgiveness because we have broken His laws." Why is this important? This passage is a cornerstone of God’s justice and mercy. It highlights that sin affects everyone, and it's important to acknowledge it and seek reconciliation with Him. It also shows that God is willing to forgive us when we show genuine remorse and turn away from our wrongdoing. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in a different way? Give you some examples of times people might do something wrong and need to repent?