Definition: Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 29:32. It's a really important and complex passage about God’s plan for Israel and His judgment. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is essentially saying that God is going to punish someone – Shemaiah the Nehelamite – who is actively working against Him and his people. He's deliberately choosing to make it so that he won’t be able to help Israel in any way. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Therefore thus saith the LORD” : This is God speaking directly, declaring a truth. “Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite…” : Shemaiah was a foreign leader who had been working with Israel to try and undermine them. He was seen as an enemy of God's plan. “and his seed” : This refers to all those who are actively working against God’s will – people who are rebellious, refusing to follow His guidance, or trying to thwart His purposes. “he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people” : This is the core of the verse. God intends to not allow Shemaiah to live with Israel. He’s deliberately choosing to prevent him from seeing the good things God has planned for them – things like peace, prosperity, and a righteous life. It's like intentionally shielding people from a positive future. “Saith the LORD” : This is a direct quote from God, emphasizing the seriousness of what’s happening. What does it mean in a broader sense? This verse speaks to a larger theme in the Bible: God’s plan for humanity is often complex and involves difficult choices and sometimes painful consequences. It's not always about direct punishment, but rather about setting up circumstances that will hinder God’s progress. Important Context: It’s crucial to understand this verse within the context of Jeremiah’s prophecies. He was predicting a time of great division and rebellion against God. This verse is part of a larger narrative that shows God's unwavering commitment to His people, even when it seems like things are going wrong. In short, this verse describes God deliberately setting up obstacles for those who oppose him in order to ultimately guide Israel toward righteousness. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Connect this verse to another passage in the Bible? Discuss the potential meaning and significance of the concept of “punishment”?