Definition: Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory [of this], and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to [thy] hurt, that thou shouldest fall, [even] thou, and Judah with thee?
Explanation:
Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a bit complex, but we can understand it as a warning from God about the potential consequences of Israel’s wealth and prosperity. Here's a simplified explanation:
The Basic Idea:
This verse is saying that while Israel has been successful in conquering and controlling Edom, they’ve become overly focused on their own wealth and are now neglecting their responsibilities to others. It’s urging them to stop interfering with the lives of those who aren't benefiting from their success.
Let's break it down word by word:
"Thou hast indeed smitten Edom..."
- This means Israel has defeated or conquered Edom. "Smitten" suggests a forceful and decisive victory.
"...and thine heart hath lifted thee up..."
– This is a bit tricky. It's not that they’ve become arrogant or proud. Instead, it means their focus has shifted
away
from serving God and helping others. Their hearts are now elevated – perhaps in self-importance – rather than focused on righteousness.
"...glory [of this]..."
- This refers to the glory (or reward) that comes from conquering Edom. It's a symbol of their power and success.
"...and tarry at home..."
- This is a warning – they shouldn’t be spending all their time and resources in faraway places, neglecting their duties to their own people.
"...for why shouldest thou meddle to [thy] hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?"
– This is the most important part. God is saying that because they've become preoccupied with their wealth, they’re now neglecting their responsibilities to others. Specifically:
"meddle to thy hurt..."
- This means they are interfering in the lives of others (like offering charity, or helping those in need) – and it’s causing them harm.
"...that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?"
– This is a very serious warning. It suggests that if they continue down this path, they will ultimately suffer the same fate as the people of Edom – they'll experience ruin and destruction. They’ll be like Edom, who became isolated and lost their glory.
In simpler terms:
God is telling Israel to stop focusing solely on their own wealth and power. They need to remember their responsibilities to others – to help those in need, to be just, and to avoid causing harm to anyone else. If they don't do that, they risk facing a terrible consequence for themselves and the people they’ve been benefiting from.
Overall Message:
This verse is about humility, responsibility, and the importance of serving God alongside helping others. It serves as a reminder that true wealth lies not just in material possessions but in righteousness and compassion.
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Do you want me to:
Explain any part of this verse in more detail?
Connect it to a specific story or historical context?
Discuss the potential meaning of “glory” in this verse?