Definition: And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 11:16. It’s a pretty important passage about power and ambition. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Core Idea: This verse describes a king who was trying to gain the favor of God by building a massive temple in Jerusalem – essentially, trying to become God’s favored people. Let’s unpack it part by part: “And after them…” : This refers to the reign of a previous king, likely one who had been powerful and successful. “…out of all the tribes of Israel…” : This means this king came from all the Jewish tribes – the groups that were traditionally considered God’s chosen people. “such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel…” : This is a key phrase. It means he was actively trying to worship and follow the God of Israel – the one God they believed was the most important. “…came to Jerusalem…” : He traveled to the city of Jerusalem, which was a very significant location for Jewish religious practice. “to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.” : This is the most crucial part. “Sacrifice” means offering something precious as a way to show reverence and devotion. This verse says he wanted to build a temple specifically for the worship of the God of Israel’s ancestors. He was trying to make it seem like he was honoring the past and returning to the traditions of his people, even if that meant focusing on a single god. In short: The king was attempting to gain favor with God by building a big temple in Jerusalem, and he did so by prioritizing the worship of his own tribe of Israel – essentially, establishing himself as the most important part of their faith. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a warning about potential idolatry – the practice of worshiating other gods. It highlights the importance of focusing on God’s true followers and traditions. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Give you more context about 2 Chronicles or this passage in general?