Definition: And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that [are] with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 38:22. It’s a pretty dramatic and intense passage describing God’s judgment on a powerful enemy. Here's the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is going to unleash a very severe punishment on a nation called "Israel" – specifically, on their leader, King Jehoiathazal (often translated as Ezekiel). This isn’t just about anger; it’s a deliberate and powerful act of judgment. Let's unpack the details: “And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood…” : This is the first part – God is going to use both sickness (pestilence) and violence (blood) to attack the enemy. It’s a forceful, almost surgical way of hitting them. “…and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that [are] with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.” : This is the core of the verse. It’s a huge amount of destruction! “Overflowing rain” : This means a torrential downpour – it’ll be incredibly heavy and destructive. “Great hailstones” : Huge hail storms will fall, damaging crops and causing chaos. “Fire” : God will use fire to burn everything the enemy possesses. “And brimstone” : This is a really important word. It refers to the literal smoke of hell – a symbolic representation of divine punishment and the end of the world. What’s it all trying to say? This verse paints a picture of utter devastation. God isn't just punishing them for something they did ; He's punishing them for their wickedness, their rebellion, and their lack of faith. It suggests that this is a final, complete reckoning. Important Context (It’s a bit complex): Ezekiel 38 is part of a larger story in the Bible about God’s judgment on Israel. The “storm” described is viewed as a symbolic representation of God’s wrath and purification. It's not necessarily about specific events, but rather a general statement about God’s power and judgment. In short, this verse describes a complete and devastating punishment for those who have broken God’s laws. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Talk about the symbolism behind the imagery (like the fire and brimstone)? Connect this passage to other stories or themes in the Bible?