Definition: And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, [that wast] inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror [to be] on all that haunt it!

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 26:17. It's a pretty complex passage, but I’ll try to make it understandable. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is about God’s concern for Israel and its future, and it highlights a serious problem with their behavior. Here’s a breakdown of what's happening: “And they shall take up a lamentation for thee…” : This means God is feeling sad and worried about Israel. He’s acknowledging that they are in trouble. “…and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, [that wast] inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror [to be] on all that haunt it!” : This is where it gets a little more complicated. Let’s unpack this: “The renowned city” : This refers to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. It was known for its strength and prosperity in the sea – think of it as a powerful trading center. “She and her inhabitants” : This means the people living there – the citizens of Jerusalem. “Cause their terror on all that haunt it!” : This is the crucial part. "Haunt it" means "the things that surround or are connected to it." It suggests a negative influence or something unsettling that's drawing attention to Jerusalem. Putting it together – A possible interpretation: God is saying, “You are in trouble. Your prosperity and strength in the sea have led to a problem where you’re attracting bad influences – perhaps people who seek to harm your city.” He’s expressing disappointment and concern for the future of Israel because of this behavior. Overall Meaning & Context: This verse is part of a larger story about God's judgment on Israel, but it also shows that God is concerned with the well-being of His people and their actions. It’s a warning about the importance of righteous living and avoiding negative influences. Important Note: The exact meaning of this verse has been debated by scholars for centuries. It's a rich and poetic passage, and there are different interpretations. --- Would you like me to: Explain any particular part in more detail? Provide a historical or biblical context?