Definition: And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, [even] a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 39:17. It's a really strange and unsettling passage, so we need to understand the context first. Here’s what it means in simpler terms, broken down into parts: 1. The Context - Ezekiel’s Vision: Ezekiel was a prophet. He was receiving visions from God about the future of Israel. He's seeing a massive sacrifice. Ezekiel is describing a huge, elaborate ritual – a “sacrifice” – that God wants to perform for the people of Israel. The setting: The verse describes this sacrifice happening on the mountains of Israel . This is significant because it suggests a central role for the land itself in God’s plan. 2. What’s Being Told? "Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field..." – This means God is telling everyone around - birds, animals, even insects - to come together. "...and to every beast of the field...gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice..." – It's urging everyone to gather close to this massive offering. "[even] a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel..." – This is the core of the problem. God is telling everyone to come to this location for a monumental, incredibly gruesome offering. "...that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood." – This is the most disturbing part . The verse explicitly says that God wants people to consume meat (flesh) and drink blood – it’s a symbolic representation of violence and bloodshed. 3. What's the Purpose? The verse seems to be warning the Israelites about a future threat. It implies that God is preparing for a devastating conflict, possibly involving a large-scale war or invasion. The sacrifice is being prepared as a defense against this impending danger. 4. A Bit of Interpretation (Important - it's complex!) This verse is open to interpretation, and there are several theories about what God is trying to convey: Symbolic Violence: Some scholars believe this isn’t literally about blood sacrifices but a symbolic representation of the violence that will come down upon Israel. It's a warning about the potential for conflict. A Test of Faith: Another interpretation suggests it's a test of faith – to show how willing people are to accept God’s judgment and prepare for a difficult time. Important Note: This verse is very archaic and poetic. It’s not meant to be taken literally by modern readers. The imagery is designed to evoke a powerful, unsettling feeling. --- Disclaimer: I've provided this explanation based on the text of the Bible. I am an AI assistant and cannot offer theological or spiritual guidance. Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss a particular aspect of this passage in more detail (like its symbolism)?