Definition: And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 3:4. It’s a really dramatic and unsettling passage about a large animal sacrifice! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it describes a massive animal sacrifice made to the king of Moab as a sign of war and defiance. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster…” This tells us who is involved – King Mesha of Moab. He was responsible for managing sheep. “…and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams…” This is the key part. The king of Moab gave 100,000 lambs and 100,000 rams to the king of Israel. “Rendered” means he gave them as a gift. “Lambs” : These were likely sheep, used for sacrifice. “Rams” : These were probably young male goats – often used in sacrificial offerings. “…with the wool.” This is the most striking part. The king of Moab covered the animals with thick wool! This was a very unusual and symbolic act. What's the significance? The Bible describes this as a deliberate attempt to punish Israel for its disobedience to God. It’s presented as a massive, shocking display of power and war. Here's what it suggests: Israel was being punished. The king of Moab was deliberately causing trouble. It was a show of strength. The large number of animals – both sheep and goats – symbolized the might of the enemy and the king’s power to inflict punishment. It was a warning. It's a powerful message that God will not tolerate defiance and rebellion. In short, this verse paints a picture of a very significant event: a large-scale animal sacrifice intended as a demonstration of war and a harsh judgment on Israel. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Provide more context about the story of 2 Kings 3? Answer any specific questions you have about this passage?