Definition: Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 49:2. It's a really important and somewhat dramatic passage about God’s plan for the future. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God is going to warn the people of Israel – specifically, the Ammonites – about a coming war. He’s going to cause a massive destruction and devastation. Let's break it down word by word: “Jeremiah 49:2” : This tells us where this verse comes from - part of a larger prophecy written by Jeremiah, a prophet for the Israelites in ancient Judah. “Therefore, behold…” : This is a way of saying "It is now happening" or "This is going to happen." “sayeth the LORD” : This means God is speaking directly to us through this verse. “…that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites…” : This describes what is about to happen: a massive conflict. “Rabbah” refers to a specific area in the north of Israel, and “the Ammonites” are a group of people living nearby. God is going to announce this war. “and it shall be a desolate heap…” : This means the Ammonites will be destroyed – completely wiped out. The area will be ruined beyond repair. “…and her daughters shall be burned with fire:” This is the most shocking part. God intends to deliberately set these Ammonite women on fire, symbolizing their destruction and taking their lives. It’s a brutal image of vengeance. “Then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs…” : This is the crucial part – what happens after this devastation. God promises that Israel (the Israelites) will inherit everything left behind. It means they'll have all the land, resources, and possessions from the Ammonites. In a nutshell: God is going to send a devastating war against the Ammonites, and he’s going to deliberately destroy their women to ensure Israel gets everything they deserve as their rightful heirs. Important Context (Briefly): This verse comes before another significant event in the Old Testament – the exile of the Israelites from their land. It's often interpreted as a prophecy about the future destruction of the Israelite kingdom and the eventual return to the land God promised them. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a religious scholar. This explanation is based on common interpretations of biblical texts. Do you have any specific questions about this verse that you’d like me to answer, or would you like me to explain anything in more detail? For example, are you curious about: The historical context of the prophecy? What this verse says about God's justice?