Definition: Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins [be] upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 33:10. It's a really interesting and somewhat unsettling passage, and it’s packed with meaning. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is essentially a plea from God to the people of Israel – specifically, to Moses – to be honest about their mistakes and how they’re dealing with them. It’s asking him to explain a situation where they've been making wrong choices and are feeling sad and hopeless. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Ezekiel 33:10” : This refers to Ezekiel, a prophet in the Book of Ezekiel. He’s essentially speaking to God about this situation. “Therefore, O thou son of man…” : This is a formal address from Ezekiel. “Thou son of man” means he's addressing Moses directly. “…speak unto the house of Israel…” : This tells us who’s being addressed – the people of Israel. “Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins [be] upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?” This is the core of the verse. Let's break it down further: “Transgressions and our sins…” : This means they’ve committed mistakes – wrong actions, broken promises, betrayals, etc. Basically, any wrongdoing. “…pine away in them” : This is a really crucial part. "Pine away" suggests feeling hopeless, despairing, and emotionally drained. It implies that the people are struggling with their guilt and remorse. “How should we then live?” : This is the big question. The verse isn't offering a simple solution – it’s asking for guidance on how to live after this period of feeling down and lost. What does it mean, overall? This verse speaks about a time when the people of Israel were facing significant problems and their leaders were struggling with their own failings. Ezekiel is essentially saying: "We need to be honest about what's wrong with us. We need to acknowledge our mistakes and figure out how to move forward." It’s a call for repentance and responsibility. Important Context: This verse comes after the story of the wandering sheep, which illustrates the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God. It suggests that Israel needed to repent (turn back from their wrongdoings) before they could be reconciled with God. --- In short, this verse is a moment of profound reflection by God about the state of his people – acknowledging their shortcomings and asking for guidance on how to rebuild trust and live a righteous life. Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Connect this verse to other biblical stories or themes?