Definition: And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It's a really impactful and dramatic part of the story of the fall of the city of Jerusalem in the Old Testament. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse describes a horrifying event that happened when the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar, attacked Jerusalem. They systematically slaughtered the people and destroyed the city. Let’s unpack it word-by-word: “2 Kings 25:7” : This is the name of the verse itself – a passage from the book of 2 Kings. It's a specific section of scripture. “And they slew the sons of Zedekiah” : This means the Babylonians actively killed people named Zedekiah. They were specifically targeting him, who was the King of Judah at the time. "Slew" implies a violent and deliberate killing. “before his eyes” : This is a crucial detail – they weren’t just killing him; they were seeing him as a target. It suggests a terrible, calculated act of vengeance. “and put out the eyes of Zedekiah” : This is where it gets really chilling. They didn't just kill him; they blinded him! They essentially robbed him of his sight, making him helpless and vulnerable. It’s like turning him into a prisoner. “and bound him with fetters of brass” : The Babylonians secured Zedekiah with heavy, ornate fetters – basically shackles – made of brass (a type of metal). This was a clear sign of his imprisonment and control. “and carried him to Babylon” : They took him all the way to Babylon, a very large and powerful city, as punishment for his sins and as a symbol of their victory. In short, this verse tells us that the Babylonians completely destroyed Jerusalem by killing its king, blinding him, and imprisoning him in Babylon. The Significance: This event is seen as a major turning point in history – it’s often considered one of the most devastating events in Jewish history. It’s a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience and rebellion against God. It represents a complete victory for the oppressors. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse is so significant? Discuss what it might symbolize (e.g., the power of evil)? Give you some context about the time period in which this happened?