Definition: But it came to pass, when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the Syrians: so we dwell at Jerusalem.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 35:11. It’s a really important and somewhat mysterious passage that speaks about God’s plan to relocate people from Babylon to Jerusalem. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is telling the Israelites (and some other people) that they need to move away from Babylon, because of impending danger. Babylon was a powerful and aggressive empire, and they were threatening them with an army. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “But it came to pass…” : This is just a way of saying “it happened.” It’s a straightforward statement of what’s going on. “…when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came up into the land…” : Nebuchadnezzar was the ruler of Babylon, and he was a powerful king who had been conquering many lands. He was making his way into Israel (and Judah, which is part of what we call the Levant). “…that we said, Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army…” : This is the key part. The Israelites were told not to stay in their current location. They were warned that a large army of Babylonians (Nebuchadnezzar’s forces) would be coming into the land. “…and for fear of the army of the Chaldeans…” : This is where “Chaldeans” comes in – it's a Greek word that means "Babylonians." The people were scared because they knew Babylon was a formidable military power. "...and for fear of the army of the Syrians:” The Israelites also feared the army of the Syrian kingdom, which was another powerful force in the region. So, what’s the overall message? God is sending people away from Babylon to a new home – Jerusalem. It's a strategic move to protect Israel and Judah from a potentially devastating war. It shows that God is protective of his chosen people and willing to make difficult decisions for their safety. Important Note: The exact details of what happened after this verse are not fully known, but it’s generally understood as a relocation – moving people to Jerusalem to secure the future of Israel. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or event in biblical history? Explore the historical context of this passage?