Definition: And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that [was] in Lebanon sent to the cedar that [was] in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that [was] in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a pretty poetic and symbolic passage from 2 Chronicles 25:18, and it's about a really interesting comparison between two powerful figures – Joash of Israel and Amaziah of Judah. Here's the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: The verse is comparing Joash’s actions to a very dramatic and symbolic battle. It suggests that Joash was strategically using a powerful, impressive (and perhaps even somewhat risky) tactic – sending a young woman to be married to Amaziah – as a way to demonstrate his power and influence. Let's unpack the metaphors: “The thistle that [was] in Lebanon sent to the cedar that [was] in Lebanon” : This is the core of the comparison. Think of it like this: A beautiful, strong thistle (representing Joash’s people) is being compared to a magnificent cedar tree (representing Judah). Both are incredibly valuable and impressive. “Saying, The thistle that [was] in Lebanon sent to the cedar that [was] in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife:” : Joash was essentially offering this young woman, a princess (or a significant young woman), to Amaziah as his bride. He was offering her as a sign of his power and status. “And there passed by a wild beast that [was] in Lebanon, trode down the thistle” : This is where it gets really symbolic. A wild beast – representing challenges, enemies, or potential dangers – passes down the thistle (representing Joash’s influence). The fact that this beast "trodes" (moves) down the thistle means that Joash's actions were creating a path of disruption and challenge for Judah. It suggests that his leadership was disrupting things and causing problems. Overall Meaning: The verse is portraying Joash as a shrewd leader who was using a calculated risk – sending a young woman to marry a powerful man – not just to gain favor, but to demonstrate his power and control. It's a story about strategic maneuvering and potentially risky choices leading to significant consequences. Why it’s important: This passage is often interpreted as a warning against arrogance and the dangers of excessive ambition. It highlights that even seemingly positive actions can have unintended negative consequences if they are pursued without wisdom or restraint. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Provide context about the time period this verse came from? Discuss what this verse might be teaching us today?