Definition: And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they [are] written in the lamentations.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 35:25. It’s a really interesting piece of history that shows how God's judgment was felt even after Josiah, the king, had been exiled. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: After Josiah was banished to Babylon for his sins – essentially, he disobeyed God and led Israel into idolatry – people continued to talk about him and his actions in a mournful way. They even created a rule or ordinance specifically to remember him and acknowledge his mistakes. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah…” This tells us that Jeremiah, the prophet, was deeply saddened by Josiah's actions. He felt a great sorrow for what he had done. “…and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day…” This is key! It means that people – both men and women – kept talking about Josiah, sharing stories and memories of his mistakes. They weren’t just whispering; they were actively recounting his failures. “…and made them an ordinance in Israel…” This is the crucial part. The people created a law or custom to remember him. It was a way to acknowledge his wrongdoing and to be warned against it. It’s like a memorial or a reminder of what happened. “And, behold, they [are] written in the lamentations.” This is a Latin phrase that means “they are recorded in the lamentations.” The people were recording these memories – writing them down in the book of lamentations. So, essentially, it’s saying that the Israelites, after Josiah's exile, continued to remember him through their sorrow and storytelling. They created a way to acknowledge his failings and to try to avoid repeating them. Why is this important? It shows that even when people are exiled or punished, their memories and stories can endure – they can be recorded and passed down through generations. It’s also a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering our mistakes and striving for righteousness. In short: Josiah's exile wasn't just a tragedy; it created a lasting tradition of remembering his failings, which ultimately helped the Israelites to learn and grow. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss its significance in a broader context (like the story of Israel)?