Definition: And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 32:36. It's a really powerful and somewhat unsettling passage about God’s plan for a specific city. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: God is telling the people of Israel that a city – likely Jerusalem – will be conquered and ruled by Babylon, and it will happen through hardship and destruction. It’s a dramatic forecast of a terrible future. Let's unpack it word-by-word: “And now therefore thus saith the LORD…” - This is a formal introduction from God. He’s speaking to us directly and giving his judgment. “…concerning this city, whereof ye say…” – He’s referring to a specific city that the people are complaining about. “Ye” refers to the Israelites. They are saying it will be "delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.” “…by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;” – This is the core of the verse. God is warning them that this city will be destroyed through three specific ways: The Sword: A military attack, likely a violent conquest. The Famine: A widespread hardship or scarcity of food and resources. The Pestilence: An outbreak of disease – often a plague or epidemic. What’s the message? Jeremiah is essentially saying that God is deliberately setting this city on a path to ruin. It’s not just an accident; it's part of a larger, orchestrated plan. The verse implies that this city will become a symbol of Babylonian power and oppression. Important Context (Briefly): This passage comes before Jeremiah’s prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem itself. Jeremiah is essentially giving us a warning about the future – a future where God's people are facing immense suffering. It’s a message of judgment, but also of hope for eventual restoration and liberation. In short: This verse warns against a city being conquered by Babylon through violence, starvation, and disease, highlighting God’s plan to punish those who defy him. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Give you some historical context about the time Jeremiah wrote this? Discuss what this verse might be trying to communicate about human nature or God's justice?