Definition: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all [their] heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Ezekiel 36:5. It’s a really complex verse, and it’s often misinterpreted. Here's a simplified explanation focusing on the core meaning: The Basic Idea: This verse is about God’s intense anger and disappointment with the Israelites (and particularly Idumea) after they settled into their new land in Israel. It’s essentially saying he feels deeply hurt by their lack of joy and respect for his covenant with them. Let's unpack it word-by-word: “Ezekiel 36:5” : This is the verse itself – a specific part of a larger story in Ezekiel’s book. “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD…” : This establishes that this isn't just a casual observation; it's a direct statement from God. “…Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea…” : This is the heart of the verse. "Residue" means remaining or leftover. God is saying he has specifically been angry at the people of Idumea (a region west of Israel). He’s focusing on them as the reason for his anger. “…which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all [their] heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey.” : This is where it gets really complicated and metaphorical. Let's break this down further: "appointed my land into their possession..." : God says he planned to give this land to them, but they didn’t appreciate it or respect it. "...with the joy of all [their] heart..." : This is crucial. He's saying that they were filled with happiness and excitement about this new land – a feeling of pride and entitlement. "...with despiteful minds..." : This means they weren’t thoughtful or respectful. They weren't recognizing the seriousness of their situation or the importance of God’s covenant. They were acting out of selfishness and disregard. "...to cast it out for a prey." : This is the most frightening part. He’s saying he intends to violently remove this land from them, treating it as something worthless and needing to be discarded. Putting it all together - The Core Message: God is feeling deeply offended by the Israelites' lack of respect and joy for his covenant with them. He’s expressing a significant amount of anger and disappointment – almost like he’s punishing them for their disobedience. It highlights a sense of imbalance in the relationship between God and his people. Why is this important? This passage speaks to a deeper theme in biblical history: God’s perspective on human behavior. He often judges people based on their actions and attitude, not necessarily their intentions. It's a reminder that God values respect, obedience, and a genuine relationship with him above all else. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a biblical scholar. This explanation is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as definitive theological interpretation. Would you like me to: Explain any of these concepts in more detail? Provide some context about the history of Ezekiel 36? Offer a different perspective on this passage?