Definition: [As] they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt [it]; so will I gather [you] in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave [you there], and melt you.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 22:20. It's a really powerful and unsettling passage about God’s judgment. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Core Idea: This verse describes God’s plan to destroy people who are greedy or selfish. It’s essentially saying that God will punish those who try to exploit others for their own gain, even to the point of burning them away completely. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin…” : This refers to things that are valuable – metal. It’s a visual representation of people hoarding wealth and resources. “…into the midst of the furnace…” : A furnace is a place where something is heated up to change its form. Here, it symbolizes God's intense anger and his power to transform. “To blow the fire upon it…” : This is a metaphor for God’s judgment – he will use his power to make things very hot and destructive. “…to melt [it]” : This is the key part. God intends to melt (change) people completely, reducing them to nothing. It's not just about hurting them; it’s about destroying their entire being. “So will I gather [you] in mine anger and in my fury…” : This is where the verse gets really serious. God intends to collect or gather you – meaning he wants to bring you into his control, and then use that power against you. “…and I will leave [you] there, and melt you.” : This part emphasizes the complete destruction. God will completely transform you into nothingness, leaving you with no identity or purpose. What’s the message? The verse is a warning about the dangers of greed, selfishness, and pursuing things for personal gain without regard for others. It suggests that God's anger can be very intense and destructive. It highlights a fundamental truth: God values righteousness (doing what’s right) above all else and will not tolerate those who exploit others for their own benefit. Important Note: This is a difficult passage to understand, and it’s often interpreted as a prophecy of future events. It’s important to remember that the Bible is filled with symbolism and imagery, and this verse is particularly challenging because it speaks about the end times and the ultimate judgment of God. Resources for Further Learning: Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/english](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/english) - This allows you to read the verse in different translations and contexts. Wikipedia – Ezekiel 22: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezekiel_22](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezekiel_22) - Provides a good overview of the context and meaning. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Talk about how this verse relates to other biblical themes (like sin and redemption)?