Definition: The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Hosea 10:8. It's a pretty powerful image with a few layers of meaning. Here’s what it says in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a future time when the things that are wrong – the things that lead to sin and unhappiness – will be completely destroyed. It’s talking about a deliberate, active destruction of something that's causing problems. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “The high places also of Aven…” : "Aven" is a place in Israel. It represents a place where people focus on things outside of God – things that aren’t really about Him or His will. It's about chasing after pleasure, wealth, power, and anything else that isn’t rooted in righteousness. “…the sin of Israel…” : This is the core issue. The verse refers to the sin of the people of Israel – their disobedience to God and their focus on things that are temporary and ultimately empty. “Shall be destroyed…” : This means these things (the things causing problems) will be wiped out or greatly diminished. “…the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars…” : This is a crucial image. “Altars” represent places of worship, where people offer sacrifices and make declarations of faith. The "thorn" and "thistle" are symbols of bitterness, negativity, and harmful things – things that cause pain and division. They’ll grow everywhere. “And to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.” : This is a warning. It's not just about being covered or attacked by these negative things. It suggests they will actively harm people – causing pain, suffering, and disruption. It’s like a constant, relentless pressure of negativity. Overall Meaning & Significance: The verse paints a picture of a time when the Israelites (and ultimately, all humanity) are facing a spiritual storm. It's about a shift where things that don't align with God's will become overwhelming and destructive. It’s a call to repentance – to turn away from these harmful influences and seek God’s guidance. In essence, the verse is a warning about the dangers of focusing on worldly things instead of on spiritual truth and relationship with God. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific biblical story or concept? Give you another Bible verse that explores similar themes (like forgiveness)?