Definition: Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 17:9. It’s a really powerful and unsettling passage about a woman’s kingdom and its consequences. Here's a breakdown in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where a woman (we’ll call her “Sheba”) has become incredibly wealthy and powerful, but she's completely isolated and selfish. God is warning her that her actions are causing immense suffering for everyone around her – including the people who depend on her. Basically, it’s saying her greed and lack of compassion will lead to a devastating outcome. Let’s unpack each part: “Ezekiel 17:9 Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper?” - This is the starting point – God is speaking directly to Ezekiel, who was sent to find out what was happening with Sheba. He’s asking a question about whether Sheba's prosperity is sustainable. “Shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither?” - This is the core of the warning. God is saying that He (God) will actively take away everything Sheba has worked for – her wealth, her possessions, even her people. He’ll remove her "roots" (her foundation of power and control), and “cut off” (destroy) anything that grows from her. “That it wither in all the leaves of her spring?” - This is a really striking image. It means that Sheba's prosperity will completely collapse . Her wealth won’t last, because she’ll be destroyed by her own wickedness and selfishness. It's like her entire kingdom – her power – will simply crumble. “Even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.” - This is the most sobering part. Sheba is so secure in her wealth that she doesn’t need anyone to help her maintain it. She's completely isolated and unconcerned with the consequences of her actions. It speaks to a profound lack of empathy and responsibility. Overall Meaning & Significance: This verse highlights several important themes: The Consequences of Greed: It warns against excessive materialism and selfishness, suggesting that true wealth isn’t about possessions but about righteousness and compassion. God's Sovereignty: It shows God is actively involved in the lives of people, and He has the power to intervene to correct wrongdoing. The Importance of Humility & Compassion: It emphasizes that true strength comes not from material wealth, but from goodness and love for others. In short, this verse paints a picture of a woman who has become so powerful she’s causing immense harm through her selfishness. It's a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked greed and the importance of compassion. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Connect this verse to other biblical stories or themes? Give an example of how this verse might be applied today?