Definition: Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard [thee], saith the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a really powerful and significant passage from the Book of 2 Kings. Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse comes from a time when King Josiah was leading Israel (a nation) and was facing a serious problem – a growing wickedness and rebellion within his kingdom. Josiah was trying to bring righteousness back into his people, but he wasn’t succeeding. He was being selfish and disrespectful to God. What's Happening in the Verse: “Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD…” – This means Josiah was soft on himself, perhaps a little proud or self-centered. He wasn’t truly acknowledging his need for God’s guidance and forgiveness. It's like he was trying to avoid responsibility. “…when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse…” – Josiah heard something from the LORD. He received a warning about the dangers of his behavior. The verse describes a terrible thing that would happen if he continued down this path: "a desolation" (meaning a destroyed or ruined place) and “a curse” (something negative and harmful). “and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me…” – This is a very dramatic image. Josiah was visibly ashamed and upset, literally removing his clothes (which were symbols of his royal status and pride) and crying out to God in distress. It shows he recognized the gravity of his actions. “I also have heard [thee], saith the LORD.” – This is the most important part. The Lord (God) directly acknowledged Josiah’s remorse and his understanding of what he was doing wrong. It's like a direct, personal apology from God. The word “thee” means "you" in Hebrew. What Does it Mean? This verse is about repentance . It’s a powerful message that says: God sees your true intentions. He’s not just looking at what you do , but also at your heart and your willingness to change. You need to acknowledge your mistakes. Being humble before God is crucial for getting forgiveness. It's a call to repentance: You must turn away from sin and seek reconciliation with God. In short, this verse describes Josiah’s profound shame and his desperate plea for forgiveness because he wasn’t taking the message of the LORD seriously. It’s a reminder that true righteousness comes from a changed heart. --- Do you want me to: Explain any specific part of the verse in more detail? Connect this passage to other Bible stories about repentance or forgiveness? Provide context – like when this verse was written and why it's important?