Definition: And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard [that], they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Judges 9:46. It’s a really interesting and somewhat mysterious part of the story! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a moment where people who were previously focused on a specific, powerful building (the tower of Shechem) suddenly started to become obsessed with a different, older deity – Berith. Let's unpack it piece by piece: "Judges 9:46" : This tells us where this happened - within the context of the story of Judges in ancient Israel. “And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard [that]…” : Imagine a group of people who were once focused on building and protecting a massive, important structure (the tower). They suddenly become preoccupied with something else – hearing about a new god, a different religious belief, or perhaps even just an old story. “they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.” : This is the key part! "Hold of" means to be gripped by, to be consumed by, or to become obsessed with something. “The house of the god Berith” refers to a specific ancient deity – probably a goddess associated with fertility, wisdom, or protection. So, what does this tell us about the story? A Shift in Focus: It suggests a significant shift in power and religious allegiance. The tower of Shechem had been a symbol of their strength and authority. Now, it’s being overshadowed by a different deity. Potential for Conflict: This could be foreshadowing future conflict. The new god might challenge the old one, or the people who were focused on the tower might become vulnerable to this new influence. Important Note: The story of the Tower of Shechem is complex and has been interpreted in different ways over time. There's a lot of debate about what exactly happened – whether it was a major religious upheaval, or just a temporary shift in focus. --- Do you want to dive deeper into any aspect of this verse? For example, would you like me to: Explain the context of the story surrounding the tower? Discuss the significance of Berith as a deity?