Definition: The king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with desolation, and the hands of the people of the land shall be troubled: I will do unto them after their way, and according to their deserts will I judge them; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 7:27. It's a really powerful and important passage about God’s judgment and how He will deal with humanity. Here's a simplified explanation: What it means in plain language: “The king will be sad, the prince will be dressed in ruin, and the people of the land will be troubled. I will follow their path, and I will judge them according to what they do. They will realize that I am the LORD." Let’s unpack it layer by layer: 1. “The king shall mourn…” : This means God is going to be saddened by humanity's choices and actions. It suggests a deep sense of disappointment and perhaps even grief for what humans are doing wrong. It’s not just a simple sadness, but a sorrow stemming from the consequences of their behavior. 2. “…and the prince shall be clothed with desolation…” : This is a metaphorical way of saying that the powerful leaders and those in positions of influence will be burdened by the consequences of their actions. "Desolation" means ruin or destruction – it’s not just about physical loss, but also about the loss of hope and good things. 3. “…and the hands of the people of the land shall be troubled…” : This highlights that the suffering won't just be limited to individuals, but will affect the entire community. It implies that the problems will spread and cause hardship for everyone. 4. “I will do unto them after their way, and according to their deserts will I judge them;” : This is the core of the verse. God is going to actively influence the people’s lives through their choices – just as a desert dries up and changes its landscape. He'll let their “deserts” (their path) dictate the results, and he will judge them based on what they do. 5. “They shall know that I [am] the LORD.” : This is a crucial part of the verse. It emphasizes God’s absolute authority and sovereignty. It's not just that He is the Lord, but that He is directly involved in this judgment and will ultimately determine the outcome. It’s a statement of ultimate power and justice. Overall Meaning & Context: This verse speaks to a time of significant upheaval and potential for disaster. It’s often interpreted as a warning about humanity's rebellion against God and its consequences. It suggests that God is not indifferent to human suffering, but is actively working through judgment to bring about change and restoration. Important Note: The context of Ezekiel 7:27 comes from a vision of a devastating flood, which was caused by the people’s wickedness. This verse is a part of a larger narrative that depicts God's ultimate justice and restoration after the destruction. --- Do you want me to: Explain any particular aspect of this verse in more detail? Connect it to other Bible stories or themes?