Definition: And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 44:10. It’s a pretty interesting and symbolic passage about God’s plan for Israel. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is saying, “I’ve been watching you Israelites, and I’m disappointed. You’ve strayed from me, and that’s causing problems.” He’s essentially acknowledging that the Israelites have become preoccupied with things other than Him – specifically, with worshipping idols instead of focusing on God. Let's break it down word by word: “Ezekiel 44:10” : This is a specific passage from the book of Ezekiel. It’s important to understand where it comes from. “And the Levites that are gone away far from me…” : “Levites” in this context refers to the priestly and ruling class of Israel – the people who were responsible for leading and overseeing God's people. It means they’ve left, or been withdrawn, from God's presence. “…when Israel went astray…” : This is the core of the verse. “Israel” refers to the entire nation of Israel. They've strayed from God's path – that is, they’ve become focused on things other than Him. “which went astray away from me after their idols;” : "Idols” are referring to the pagan temples and practices that the Israelites had built and worshipped. They were building their own shrines and rituals to themselves instead of worshipping God directly. “After their idols” means they’ve strayed from God's presence and direction. “they shall even bear their iniquity.” : This is a really powerful phrase. “Iniquity” literally means "evil deeds" or "sin." It means that these people are now burdened with the consequences of their choices – they’re carrying the weight of their sin and wrongdoing, which God sees as a problem. Overall Meaning & Interpretation: The verse essentially says that God is disappointed in the Israelites because they've strayed from his guidance and worship. He’s calling them back to him, and he's setting about dealing with the consequences of their disobedience. It's a warning and a promise – a promise that God will eventually bring them back to Him. Why is this important? This verse speaks to a significant period in Jewish history when Israel was experiencing political turmoil and spiritual decline. It’s a reminder that true faith requires focusing on God, not on earthly things or fleeting pleasures. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Connect this verse to other parts of the Bible? Discuss its significance in the context of Jewish tradition?