Definition: My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this beautiful and slightly complex passage from Isaiah 21:4. It’s a really evocative verse that speaks to a powerful emotional response. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a feeling of intense fear and anxiety when someone is experiencing pleasure, especially something they're longing for or desiring intensely. It’s like a moment where your heart feels overwhelmed with worry and dread. Let's unpack it piece by piece: "My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me:" This tells us the speaker was feeling physically anxious – their heart was racing and they were worried. “Fearfulness” means anxiety or apprehension. "Affrighted” suggests a sudden, overwhelming fright. It’s not just a little worry; it's a deep, intense terror. "the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me." This is the core of the verse. “The night of my pleasure” refers to a time when something they desire intensely is happening – perhaps a moment of happiness, excitement, or fulfillment. “He turned into fear” means that this intense experience has become frightening and overwhelming for them. It’s like a powerful temptation or longing has taken on a menacing quality. So, what does it mean practically? It’s suggesting that when someone is deeply craving something pleasurable – maybe love, happiness, or even a specific moment – their emotions can become dangerously intense and frightening. It highlights the potential for obsession and worry to consume someone. Important Context (Briefly): Isaiah 21:4 is part of a larger prophecy in the Bible about the future of Israel and its relationship with God. It’s a glimpse into a time when the people were experiencing a significant shift in their relationship with God, moving away from worship and towards a more demanding, perhaps even fearful, expectation of Him. In essence, it's a reminder that intense emotions, especially those fueled by desire or longing, can be dangerous if they become overwhelming. --- Do you want to delve deeper into any aspect of this verse? For example, would you like me to: Explain its connection to the larger prophecy? Discuss the idea of “temptation” in the context of this verse? Talk about how this passage relates to human emotions and anxiety?