Definition: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Jeremiah 1:5. It’s a really interesting and profound statement about God's plan for humanity! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Essentially, this verse says: God didn’t just create us; He knew us before we were born. He started with a special purpose for us – to be a prophet (a messenger) who would speak about the whole world. Let's unpack it further: “Before I formed thee in the belly…” - This is a poetic way of saying “before I brought you into existence.” It’s like saying, "I prepared for you before you were born." “…I knew thee…” – God had a very clear picture of who we were before we even began to live. “And before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee…” – This is a key part! "Sanctified" means made holy or special. God made us special and worthy from the very beginning, setting us apart. “[and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” - God then gave us a specific role: to be a messenger – someone who speaks for God and tells people about His will and purpose for the world. He chose us specifically to speak about all of humanity! So, it’s like saying God started with a plan for humanity – to be known, valued, and used as a voice for Him throughout the whole world. What does this mean for us? It suggests that we are more than just random accidents. We have a purpose – to reflect God's goodness and truth to everyone. It’s a powerful message of significance and belonging! Important Note: This is a very symbolic passage. The exact meaning wasn’t fully understood by the people who wrote it, but it’s generally interpreted as a promise of God’s ultimate plan for humanity and His relationship with us. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? Perhaps you'd like to know: What the Hebrew word "sanctified" means? How this relates to other parts of the Bible?