Definition: Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, [even] the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, [nor] bring up virgins.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a really powerful and poetic passage from Isaiah, and it speaks about a significant shift in time and the future of God's people. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that the sea (and everything on it) is experiencing a profound change – a feeling of weariness and lack of life. It’s like the sea is saying, “I don’t want to be involved in bringing new life or nurturing young people.” Let's unpack the words: “Be thou ashamed…” : This is a strong command. It means Isaiah is warning someone – likely a powerful figure – that they are about to witness something truly terrible. “…O Zidon…” : Zidon is a place in the Mediterranean Sea, often associated with immense power and vastness. “O Zidon” is a way of saying "I am so surprised!" It emphasizes the enormity of what's happening. “For the sea hath spoken…” : This is the key part. The sea itself has expressed its feelings – it’s feeling weary and devoid of life. It’s not complaining; it is expressing a lack of activity. “[even] the strength of the sea, saying, I [them] travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men…” : This is where it gets really dramatic. The sea isn't just tired; it’s actively stopping . It says: “I don’t travail” : It doesn’t want to work or be involved in creating new life. “…nor do I nourish up young men” : It won't provide for the future generation. “Nor bring up virgins” : This is a particularly poignant image – it suggests that the sea won’t continue to support or nurture new, hopeful individuals. What does this mean in terms of God’s plan? Many interpretations suggest this verse speaks about the end of the world . It's a prophecy of a time when God will ultimately bring about a complete and devastating end to all life on Earth – including the sea itself. It signifies a period where there is no more activity, no more growth, and no more hope for the future. Overall Significance: This verse is filled with symbolism and imagery. It's a powerful warning about the potential for destruction and a reflection of God’s ultimate plan to restore creation in its fullness. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Talk about what this verse might symbolize in different contexts (like the end times)? Provide a simpler analogy to help illustrate the concept?