Definition: The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Jeremiah 28:8. It’s a really important and somewhat unsettling verse in the Bible. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse speaks about the prophets who came before Jeremiah – people like Moses, Abraham, David, and many others – and they warned about a very bad future. They predicted war, destruction, and evil things that were going to happen across many countries. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “The prophets that have been before me…” This refers to the entire group of prophets who had previously led the people. Jeremiah is essentially saying he's referencing a long line of prophets who had already warned about these impending dangers. “…and before thee of old.” This emphasizes that they were warning before him – meaning their warnings were established and repeated over time. “Prophesied both against many countries…” They weren’t just talking about one specific place; they were predicting widespread conflict and devastation across different nations. “…and against great kingdoms…” This is a significant part of the warning. They predicted that powerful empires (kingdoms) would be destroyed, possibly even overthrown. “Of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.” This is the core of the message. The prophets warned about: War: Large-scale battles and conflicts were expected. Evil: A general sense of wickedness and moral decay was anticipated. Pestilence (Disease): A widespread and deadly plague or disease was foreseen to devastate populations. What’s the Significance? This verse is often interpreted as a sign that God is preparing for a major catastrophe – possibly the destruction of Israel, which was then under Persian rule. It suggests a period of intense suffering and upheaval. It's a warning about the potential dangers of evil and the importance of resisting it. Important Note: The exact details of what this prophecy refers to are debated among scholars. However, it’s generally understood as a forewarning of a significant crisis that would impact the entire region. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific historical event or figure (like Moses)?