Definition: Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 51:36. It's a really powerful and dramatic passage about God’s judgment and restoration. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: Essentially, it means: “Therefore, so the LORD says: Behold, I will plead for you, take vengeance on you, and I will make the sea dry up and all its springs cease to flow.” Let's unpack that a little further: “Therefore…” : This is just a way of saying, "This is what God is going to do." “says the LORD” : This is God speaking directly. It’s not us telling him what to do; it’s God revealing his plan. “Behold, I will plead for you…” : God is actively arguing with someone – in this case, the people of Israel who were facing a terrible crisis. He's taking responsibility for their suffering. “take vengeance on you” : This is a crucial part. "Vengeance" means punishment and retribution. God is going to inflict a severe punishment. “and I will make the sea dry up…” : This refers to the Sea of Galilee, which was a massive body of water in Israel. The verse describes God’s intention to completely destroy this area by making it barren and lifeless. “and make her springs dry” : This means that the rivers and streams that fed into the sea would cease to flow. It's a complete cessation of water. What was happening back then? This verse comes from a time when Israel was facing a devastating war with Judah. They were losing, and God decided to show His power in a dramatic way. He’s essentially saying, “I will punish you for your sins and your actions.” Important Note: This is a very intense passage, and it's important to remember that it describes a severe punishment. It's not meant to be interpreted as a happy or forgiving event. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Talk about what this verse might symbolize (like judgment, repentance, and God’s justice)?