Definition: Thus said the LORD unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 17:19. It’s a really interesting and somewhat dramatic passage! Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse is about God's judgment and control over people. It says God is telling someone (we can assume it's Jeremiah) to watch and guide the entrance of kings and nobles into Jerusalem. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Thus said the LORD unto me…” – This establishes that this isn’t a casual conversation; it's a direct instruction from God. “…Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people…” – “Children of the people” refers to the Jewish people, specifically the kings and nobles who are entering Jerusalem. "Stand in the gate" means to be positioned near the entrance. "...behow the which they come in, and by which they go out…” – This is a crucial part. It’s saying that God wants to observe their movements as they enter and leave the city. “The which they come in” refers to the kings and nobles entering. “By which they go out” means they're leaving. "...and in all the gates of Jerusalem.” – This emphasizes that this is happening across all the entrances to Jerusalem, meaning it’s a widespread, significant event. What does this mean practically? The Bible suggests that God has a very active role in shaping events and determining who enters and exits Jerusalem. It implies a sense of divine authority and control over the city's affairs. It suggests a level of judgment involved – God is actively watching and perhaps even intervening to ensure things stay within His plan. Important Context (briefly): This verse comes from a time of great political tension in Israel, particularly during the reign of King Josiah. Jeremiah was essentially delivering a warning about the potential for rebellion and wickedness among the kings of Judah. The verse is a dramatic statement about God's power to enforce His will. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss what it might symbolize in the Bible as a whole? Connect it to a specific story or event?