Definition: Hast thou not heard long ago, [how] I have done it; [and] of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities [into] ruinous heaps.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Isaiah 37:26. It's a really important and dramatic passage about God’s plan and the future of Israel. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where God is sending his messengers to try and convince the people of Judah (the area around Jerusalem) that they need to repent and leave their homeland before a devastating attack begins. It's essentially saying, “I’ve already done this, and it’s about to happen.” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Isaiah 37:26” : This is the verse itself – it’s from the Book of Isaiah in the Bible. “Hast thou not heard long ago…” : This is a question to the people of Judah. It's asking if they really haven’t already known this information. “[how] I have done it” : This part is a bit tricky. “How” suggests a process – God has been working for a long time. The word "done" means completed or finished. “And of ancient times, that I have formed it?” : This emphasizes that this isn’t something new; it's a plan that stretches back to the beginning of time. It implies a deliberate and significant creation. “now have I brought it to pass…” : This is the key part! "Now have I brought it to pass" means that it has already happened . The verse describes a specific event – the people are about to be attacked. “that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities [into] ruinous heaps.” : This is the most shocking part. It’s describing a massive destruction. “Thou” refers back to the people of Judah. "Lay waste" means to destroy completely, and "ruinous heaps" means to pile up the cities into a heap of rubble. Overall Meaning & Context: This verse paints a picture of a tense situation where God is sending his messengers – specifically, shepherds – to warn Judah about an impending war. The message is clear: they need to change their ways and leave their homeland before it’s destroyed. It suggests a significant threat looming over them. Why is this important? This passage is often interpreted as a sign of God's judgment on Israel, but it also highlights his faithfulness and his desire for their restoration. It speaks to the idea that even when things seem hopeless, God has a plan and will ultimately bring about good outcomes. --- To help me explain this verse better for you , could you tell me: What are you hoping to understand from this verse? (Are you curious about its meaning, historical context, or something else?)