Definition: O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse. It’s a really powerful and somewhat unsettling passage about the dangers of pride and seeking to be better than others. Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse comes from Genesis 49, which tells us about God’s plan for Jacob (later Abraham), his father, and his family. It describes a situation where Jacob becomes incredibly powerful and influential. However, he starts to become obsessed with his own greatness and begins to seek favor with others – particularly his brothers. Let's unpack the meaning piece by piece: “O my soul, come not thou into their secret…” - This is a warning. It’s saying that you shouldn't get involved in what these people are doing. Don’t try to understand or join in on their plans. It's about protecting yourself from being drawn into something potentially dangerous. "...unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united:" - This means don't become too close to these people. Don’t let your pride or ambition make you friendly with them. Your reputation and respect should be kept separate. “For in their anger they slew a man…” – This is the core of the verse. It describes a horrific act: a man was killed. God is saying that this act was caused by their anger and selfwill . "Selfwill" means a desire to do something without considering the consequences or right thing to do. “and in their selfwill they dug down a wall.” – This describes how they continued to grow in wickedness and become destructive. They became obsessed with power, and this obsession led them to commit a terrible act. They built a "wall" - a system of control and oppression - that ultimately resulted in the death of someone. Overall Meaning & Key Takeaway: The verse is essentially telling us that excessive pride and seeking to be better than others can lead to terrible consequences. It warns against arrogance, ambition, and allowing your own desires to overshadow your sense of right and wrong. It’s a reminder that God wants us to humble ourselves and focus on serving Him and others rather than focusing solely on our own accomplishments or position. Why is this important? This story highlights the importance of humility and recognizing that we are all fallible. It's about being aware of our own shortcomings and striving for goodness, not just for our own benefit, but for the sake of those around us. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or theme? Discuss its symbolism (like the wall)?