Definition: And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Jeremiah 43:10. It’s a really dramatic and unsettling verse! Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is about to completely destroy Babylon, the powerful city-state in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). He’s going to take Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, and put him on a massive throne right on the stones of the city. Let's unpack it word by word: “And say unto them…” : This is God speaking directly to the people of Judah (the area around Jerusalem). He’s telling them what he intends to do. “Thus saith the LORD of hosts…” : This is a very formal and powerful way for God to address us. It emphasizes that this is a significant and serious event. “…I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant…” : This is the core action – God is actively taking Nebuchadnezzar. He’s calling him "my servant" – meaning he’s a valuable person to be dealt with. "...and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid…” : This is where it gets really shocking. God is going to place Nebuchadnezzar's throne on the very stones of Babylon! He’s essentially creating a massive, royal throne right in the middle of the city. "...and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.” : This describes how Nebuchadnezzar will be treated. He’ll be surrounded by a huge, impressive display – a “royal pavilion” - symbolizing his power and status. The Big Picture & What it Means: This verse is a vivid warning from God about the impending destruction of Babylon. It's a dramatic sign that shows how powerful and threatening Babylon was. It’s a moment of intense judgment and divine intervention. It’s not just about punishing Babylon; it’s about demonstrating God’s control over his people and his kingdom. Important Note: The Bible doesn’t fully explain why God is doing this. However, it's generally understood as part of a larger story of God’s judgment and the eventual restoration of his chosen people. In short, Jeremiah 43:10 describes God's deliberate and dramatic action of placing Nebuchadnezzar on the stones of Babylon – a sign of impending destruction. --- Do you want me to go into more detail about any specific aspect of this verse? For example: Why is this passage significant in the Bible? What does it suggest about God's perspective on power and judgment?