Definition: Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Isaiah 14:21. It’s a pretty dramatic and unsettling passage about God’s plan for his enemies. Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes God’s intention to punish those who have wronged him and his people throughout history, to the point where they will be unable to prosper or grow. It’s a consequence of their sins. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Prepare slaughter for his children…” : This isn't about a literal slaughter; it’s a metaphorical representation of God’s wrath and judgment. "Children" refers to the entire human race, and “his children” is specifically referring to those who have disobeyed God’s commands and committed wickedness. “…for the iniquity of their fathers…” : This is crucial . "Iniquity" means moral wrongdoing or sin. It means that the sins of their ancestors – past generations – have led them down a path of destruction and unhappiness. It's saying they’ve inherited a legacy of bad behavior. “…that they do not rise…” : This is a key part. God isn’t just punishing them now ; he’s preventing them from ever rising again. He’s setting up a situation where they can never achieve prosperity or become a significant force in the world. “…nor possess the land…” : This means they won't have any more land to live on. Their possessions will be taken away. “…nor fill the face of the world with cities.” : This is a really powerful image. "Fill the face of the world with cities" symbolizes a flourishing, abundant society – a place where people live comfortably and prosper. By preventing them from ever growing, God intends to limit their ability to create such a place. Overall Meaning: The verse essentially says that God will punish those who have repeatedly wronged others, and his punishment is to prevent them from ever achieving a level of prosperity or influence that would allow them to expand and dominate the world. It’s a warning about the consequences of sin and the importance of righteousness. Important Note: This is a very poetic and symbolic passage. It doesn't necessarily mean God will immediately destroy everyone. It speaks more to a future judgment where his justice prevails. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in a different way? Discuss the context of this passage within the larger story of Isaiah?