Definition: And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 51:44. It's a really powerful and dramatic passage about God’s plan to punish a specific person – Bel – in Babylon. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is going to deliberately and harshly punish someone named Bel in Babylon. This isn’t just a random act of anger; it's part of a larger, carefully orchestrated strategy to destroy the entire region and prevent its people from uniting under that person. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And I will punish Bel…” : This is God directly assigning responsibility for this punishment to him. “…and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up.” : This is the key part. "Swallowed up" suggests a secret, possibly destructive or malicious thing. It’s not just about physical harm; it's about something that has been hidden and now will be revealed. “The nations shall not flow together any more unto him…” : This means the entire region of Babylon – its people, its trade, its alliances – will stop connecting with each other. It’s like a river breaking apart. “…yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.” : This is the ultimate consequence. The city of Babylon itself – its walls, defenses, and entire structure – will be destroyed. In simpler terms, it means God intends to completely dismantle a region based on a single person’s actions. What does this verse teach us? God's Justice: It shows that God is incredibly just and will hold people accountable for their choices, even if those choices involve betrayal or wrongdoing. Divine Sovereignty: It highlights God’s absolute control over events and the ability to bring about significant change through his plan. The Power of God's Word: The verse suggests that God’s word has the power to overcome evil and destruction. Important Note: This is a very intense passage in the Bible. It’s often interpreted as a prophecy of a devastating conflict, but it also speaks to the idea that God can use even terrible events to bring about ultimate good and restoration. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of this verse in more detail? (e.g., its context within the larger story?) Compare it to another Bible passage with a similar theme?