Definition: Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 29:6. It's a pretty fascinating and complex idea, and it speaks to a really important hope for the future of Israel. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is about building a future kingdom and family that will thrive and flourish. It’s saying God wants us to create a strong and blessed nation, and that success depends on this – specifically, creating a family with children. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters…” This means the focus is on creating a generational family. It’s not just about having one family; it’s about establishing a lineage that continues through generations. “…and take wives for your sons…” This suggests that God intends to use women as part of this future family structure. He wants to pair them with their sons, creating a connection and support system for them. "...and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.” This is the really important part. It’s saying that through these wives , God will create a continuation of his people – meaning, he will create more families, and those families will multiply. “Increased there” means to grow in strength, prosperity, and blessedness. What does this mean practically? It's about creating a legacy: The verse suggests that God wants us to work hard and build something lasting – a nation, a family, a community – that will continue beyond our own lives. It’s about blessing the future: By focusing on producing children, it's essentially saying God wants to bless the future with a plentiful and thriving population. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a promise of God’s continued favor and protection for Israel. It speaks to a hope for a glorious future for the Jewish people, but it doesn't necessarily mean that Israel will always be the center of God's plan. It focuses on building a future through this family structure. In short, Jeremiah 29:6 is a hopeful vision about God’s plan to create a lasting and blessed nation through the establishment of families. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Compare it to other biblical concepts (like promises or covenants)?