Definition: And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 26:31. It's a pretty serious and impactful statement about God’s judgment. Here’s a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: God is saying that He will deliberately ruin and destroy the cities and temples (sacred places) of Israel. He wants to make things unpleasant for them, and he intends to do so in a way that makes it very difficult for them to thrive. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And I will make your cities waste…” This means that God is going to systematically destroy the infrastructure of the cities – their buildings, streets, farms, and everything else that sustains the community. It's not just a little bit of damage; it’s a complete breakdown. “…and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation…” This refers to the temples – the places where God was believed to dwell and where religious rituals were performed. God is saying he will destroy these sacred spaces, making them unusable. “And I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours.” This is a really powerful image. "Savour" means to enjoy or appreciate something. So, it means God will not allow the people of Israel to be happy, prosperous, and full of life – he'll make it unpleasant for them to live in their own communities. What’s the Big Picture? This verse is often interpreted as a consequence of Israel’s disobedience to God’s laws. It’s a warning about the dangers of straying from God’s path and focusing on things that are not aligned with His will. It's a glimpse into a time of intense judgment and punishment. Important Note: The exact meaning and interpretation of this verse have varied over time, but it's generally understood as a symbolic representation of God’s displeasure with Israel’s behavior. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Talk about its historical context? Discuss how this verse relates to other parts of the Bible?