Definition: And have cast their gods into the fire: for they [were] no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 19:18. It's a pretty dramatic statement about a devastating event in ancient Israel. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a period of intense suffering and destruction when the people of Israel were facing a terrible prophecy – that their gods were being burned. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And have cast their gods into the fire…” This is the core of the message. It means the Israelites (and possibly other nations) actively and deliberately destroyed their religious idols and images. “…for they [were] no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone.” This explains why they did it. The people weren't worshipping deities in the traditional sense. They were creating these idols – often from wood and stone – as representations of their gods. It was a human creation, a representation of something spiritual. “Therefore they have destroyed them.” This is the consequence of this action. Because they were making these figures, they were actively destroying them. Putting it all together - A quick summary: The verse describes a period when the Israelites, driven by fear and perhaps desperation, turned away from their true faith and started creating idols. They then deliberately destroyed these idols as a sign of their rejection of the divine. Important Context (Why this is significant): This passage is found in the Book of 2 Kings, which tells part of the story of the Babylonian exile. It’s often seen as a foreshadowing of the destruction of Jerusalem and the entire nation of Israel by Babylon. It highlights: Loss of Faith: The people were losing their connection to God through their idolatry. The Danger of Idolatry: It emphasizes that worshiping idols, rather than honoring God directly, is a risky path. In essence, the verse warns against turning away from true faith and suggests that creating false gods can have devastating consequences. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss the historical context more deeply? Translate it into simpler language?