Definition: For thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited; when I shall bring up the deep upon thee, and great waters shall cover thee;

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Ezekiel 26:19. It’s a really interesting and somewhat symbolic passage about God’s plan for Israel. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is saying that He intends to completely isolate and desolate a portion of the land that Israel has been given as its home. He’s preparing them for a time when they won't be able to live comfortably or flourish like other places. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “For thus saith the Lord GOD…” : This is just God speaking directly to us. It sets the stage for what’s coming. “…When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited…” : This means God is going to create a place where there's no people living. It’s not about a ruined city; it’s about a place utterly devoid of human presence. Think of an empty lot – it’s not a city, but it has the potential for it to be. “…when I shall bring up the deep upon thee, and great waters shall cover thee…” : This is the core of the verse. God intends to raise up huge walls of water (the “deep”) around Israel to completely cover them. He’s saying that this will be a massive deluge – a flood of water so great it will bury everything. What's the point of this? Ezekiel was writing to the Jewish people during a time of great worry and uncertainty about their future. This verse is essentially a warning: God has a plan for Israel’s future, and that plan involves a period of isolation and hardship – a time when they will be utterly vulnerable. Important Note: This isn't necessarily about physical flooding. It’s more symbolic. It speaks to a spiritual isolation of the nation from the rest of the world – a time when they need to focus on God’s plan for them and their relationship with Him. In short, this verse describes a period of extreme isolation and hardship for Israel, meant to be a test of their faith and a preparation for God's ultimate purpose. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the Bible verse? Discuss the symbolism behind this passage in more detail? Talk about how this verse relates to other biblical stories or teachings?