Definition: Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 3:8. It’s a really important story about a powerful and dangerous group of people who came to Israel. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: A Group of People Came: A large group of Israelites – probably around 30,000 strong – were being led into a foreign land by a mysterious group called Chushanrishathaim. This group was incredibly powerful and skilled at fighting. They Were Sold Away: The Chushanrishathaim, who were from Mesopotamia (a region in modern-day Iraq), decided to take the Israelites hostage. They sold them into a situation where they couldn’t return home. A Long Time Away: The verse says they were held captive for eight years! That's a long time – almost a decade – and it was a really difficult and stressful period for the Israelites. What Did They Do? Servant Labor: The Chushanrishathaim didn’t just leave them to fend for themselves. They forced the Israelites into servitude , meaning they had to work for them. They were basically treated like slaves. The Significance & Why It Matters: This story is a dramatic example of God's wrath and his power. It shows that when God’s people stray from him, he will punish them severely. It highlights: God's Justice: The verse emphasizes God’s righteous anger against the Israelites’ disobedience. The Power of Oppression: It illustrates how powerful a group can become through deceit and exploitation – even when they are not inherently evil. In short, this story is about a terrible situation where a foreign group exploited the Israelites' vulnerability, forcing them to live as slaves for eight long years. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from Judges 3? Discuss the context of this story in more detail?