Definition: The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and all his army, and all the kingdoms of the earth of his dominion, and all the people, fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities thereof, saying,
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 34:1. It's a really important and somewhat dramatic passage about God’s plan to deliver Jerusalem. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a huge battle happening before the destruction of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, was sending his army – a massive force – to attack Jerusalem and all its surrounding cities. God is telling Jeremiah that He’s going to intervene and deliver Jerusalem from this attack. Let's unpack it piece by piece: "The word which came unto Jeremiah..." : This means God gave Jeremiah a specific message, a prophecy, or a plan. "...from the LORD..." : This is crucial – it’s not just any message from God; it's a direct and personal one delivered to Jeremiah. It’s a promise and a command from God. "...when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and all his army, and all the kingdoms of the earth of his dominion, and all the people..." : This describes the scale of the enemy. Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful ruler who controlled a huge empire – encompassing many nations. His army was massive, and he was aiming to conquer everything. "...and against Jerusalem, and against all the cities thereof..." : This is the main focus of the battle. Nebuchadnezzar wanted to destroy Jerusalem, and his army intended to obliterate it completely. "...and saying," : This is a crucial part. Jeremiah was told to speak this message – to tell people what God had planned. In essence, the verse establishes a looming threat and sets the stage for God's intervention. It’s a moment of significant importance in the Old Testament because it foreshadows the devastating destruction of Jerusalem. Important Note: This is just one part of a larger story. The verse leads into more detailed prophecies about God's plan to ultimately destroy Babylon and punish those who defy him. --- Do you want me to explain any particular aspect of this verse in more detail? For example, I could go into: The context of the entire chapter What the "saying" refers to (the specific message Jeremiah received) The significance of Jerusalem’s destruction