Definition: And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, [that] thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates:

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this Bible verse. It’s a pretty dramatic and significant part of the story of Israel after the Babylonian exile. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a ritual – a binding ceremony – that was performed to permanently mark the end of the book of Jeremiah. It's essentially saying, “Once this book is finished, you must make a stone and throw it into the Euphrates River.” Let’s unpack it layer by layer: “And it shall be…” : This sets up a promise or instruction. It’s like saying "This will happen." “…when thou hast made an end of reading this book…” : This is the crucial part. It means everyone who has read the entire book of Jeremiah – all the prophecies, accounts, and messages from God – must now complete a task. "[That] thou shalt bind a stone to it…” : This tells us what they need to do: They need to bind a stone to the book. It’s not just any stone; it's a special kind of stone, likely one that represents something significant or important. “…and cast it into the midst of Euphrates:” This is where the action happens. They must throw this stone – into the Euphrates River – which flows through the land of modern-day Iraq (and parts of Syria and Turkey). What does this all mean? This verse is a powerful symbol of atonement and restoration. Here's what it represents: The Completion of Prophecy: The entire book of Jeremiah was filled with warnings about impending judgment, the destruction of Israel, and the need for repentance. This verse marks the completion of that prophecy. A Promise of Restoration: God promises to restore Israel after the exile. By binding the stone, they are symbolically sealing this promise – a commitment to rebuild and return to their homeland. Acknowledging Sin: The act of throwing the stone is also a reminder that Israel made mistakes in the past, and God is offering forgiveness through this act of repentance. In short, it’s a symbolic act of remembrance, atonement, and hope for the future. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Give you more context about the story of Jeremiah? Discuss what this verse might symbolize in a broader biblical perspective?