Definition: And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase [thyself even] unto hell.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Isaiah 57:9. It’s a really powerful verse about pride and how it can lead to trouble. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: The verse is saying that someone who excessively focuses on their own importance – like constantly seeking praise, showing off, or trying to be better than others – becomes arrogant and bad. They go too far and end up in a place they don’t want to be. Let's unpack it word by word: “And thou wentest to the king with ointment…” – This is comparing someone to a royal figure, like a king or leader. They were making a big show of themselves and trying to impress others. “…and didst increase thy perfumes…” - “Perfumes” here mean being excessively concerned about what others think of you. It suggests putting on a lot of outward displays – clothing, jewelry, etc. – to gain attention. "...and didst send thy messengers far off…” - This means they were trying to be noticed and kept in the spotlight, even if it meant distanceing themselves from genuine connection with others. “…and didst debase [thyself] unto hell.” – This is the most serious part. “Debase” means to become worthless or corrupted. "Into hell" refers to a place of eternal punishment - a state of being lost and unhappy. It suggests that this excessive focus on self-importance has led them down a path of sin and misery. So, what’s the takeaway? The verse is warning against pride. It's saying that excessive self-obsession and vanity can be dangerous. It’s about striving for something beyond your own worth, but instead focusing so much on yourself that you become disconnected from others and ultimately unhappy. In a nutshell: It’s a reminder to stay humble, focus on serving God and others, and not let pride cloud our judgment or lead us astray. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Give you some examples of how pride can manifest itself?