Definition: And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and [let] his portion [be] with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this Bible verse together. It’s a really interesting passage about a king who was tricked and left to survive alone in the wilderness. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: King Daniel is being watched by a group of guards – think of them as spies or officials. They tell him, “You need to destroy a tree.” Daniel is confused. He asks them to destroy it, but not just cut it down. They should leave the roots of the tree in the ground, covered with metal (iron and brass). And they should let the water from heaven soak into the roots as well. Here’s a breakdown of what it's saying: “Hew the tree down…” : This is a command to Daniel to destroy the tree. “…and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth…” : This is the key part. The king is told to destroy the tree, but he's also instructed to leave its root system intact – buried underground. "...even with a band of iron and brass..." : This describes how the roots are covered. It’s like a protective barrier made of metal. "...in the tender grass of the field;" : The roots are placed in a place where they're hidden amongst the growing plants – not exposed to the sun or wind. "...and let it be wet with the dew of heaven..." : This is a symbolic detail. “Dew of heaven” suggests something holy and divine, maybe rain or a blessing. The Big Idea - It’s about Protection & God's Care: This entire passage illustrates a powerful message: God protects His people even when they are in difficult situations. Daniel was tricked into doing this, but God intervened to protect him. It shows that God is watching over us and providing for us, even when we don’t see Him or understand what's happening. What does it teach us? Trust in God: It reminds us to trust that God will protect us even when we feel vulnerable or like things are going wrong. God’s Watchful Eye: It highlights God’s constant presence and care for His people. Faith & Obedience: The king's obedience to the instructions, even though he didn't fully understand them, demonstrates a willingness to follow God's will. Do you want me to explain any of these parts in more detail? For example, would you like me to elaborate on the symbolism of the roots being buried, or perhaps connect this story to a specific theme in the Bible?