Definition: And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which [are] in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 29:22. It's a really powerful and sobering message about God’s plan and consequences. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: Jeremiah is saying that God intends to punish those who are living in Babylon – specifically, the people of Judah (which includes parts of modern-day Israel and Palestine). He's predicting a terrible fate for them if they continue to follow the mistakes of Zedekiah and Ahab. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And of them shall be taken up a curse…” : This is a general statement about suffering. It means that God intends to bring hardship and pain to those who are in trouble. “…by all the captivity of Judah which [are] in Babylon” : "Captivity" here refers to being under the control or influence of another nation – specifically, Babylon. “Judah” is a specific group of people within the region. So, it means that the people of Judah (and its descendants) are being brought into a state of captivity by Babylon. “…saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab…” : This is the crucial part. Jeremiah is saying that God intends to mirror the actions and mistakes of two historical figures: Zedekiah: He was a king who made a terrible deal with foreign powers (like Egypt) and ultimately lost his kingdom. Ahab: He was a king who became paranoid and tyrannical, leading to his own downfall. What does it mean to be “like” them? Jeremiah is warning that if Judah continues on its current path – with its pride, disobedience, and reliance on foreign influence – God will force them to experience the same kind of suffering as Zedekiah and Ahab. He’s saying they’ll be subjected to: Roasting in the fire: This is a very harsh metaphor for being punished severely and perhaps even destroyed. It suggests a complete and utter loss of everything they hold dear. Being treated like those historical figures: He's warning that they will be forced to live under a tyrannical rule, suffering the same kind of oppression and injustice that Zedekiah and Ahab faced. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a prediction of Israel’s ultimate destruction – possibly complete annihilation. However, it's also seen as a call to repentance and a reminder of God's unwavering judgment against those who reject Him and turn away from His path. In short, Jeremiah 29:22 warns that God intends to punish Judah if they remain in Babylon, mirroring the mistakes of its past leaders. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Explore different interpretations of this verse?