Definition: Yet [was] she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nahum 3:10. It’s a really powerful and dramatic passage about a city being destroyed and its people suffering. Here's the explanation, broken down into simpler terms: The Basic Story: Nahum is describing a terrible event: The verse comes from a book called Nahum, which was written during a time of great disaster in Israel. A City is Destroyed: The story focuses on the city of Jerusalem, which was being attacked by enemies. It's completely destroyed – literally wiped out. The People are Devastated: The people inside the city were utterly devastated. They lost everything – homes, families, and their livelihoods. Children Lost: The most heartbreaking part is that the children of the city were dashed in pieces . This means they were killed instantly. It’s a horrifying image of unimaginable loss. Lotteries for the Honorable Men: After the destruction, the people were told to choose who would be left to live. They held lotteries and chose the best, most responsible men to stay behind. All the Great Men are Bound in Chains: The remaining leaders and important people were imprisoned and chained – signifying that they were unable to help or rebuild. Putting it all together - a simpler explanation: “Yet [was] she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.” Essentially, this verse describes a complete catastrophe – a city being destroyed and its people losing everything. It’s a stark reminder of how devastating disaster can be, and that even when things seem lost, there's still hope through divine judgment (God’s justice). It emphasizes the importance of responsibility and honoring those who are left behind. Important Note: This is a very old and complex passage with symbolic meaning. It's not meant to be taken literally; it’s a powerful image used to illustrate God’s judgment and the need for repentance. --- Do you want me to explain any of these aspects in more detail, or perhaps explore its symbolism? For example, we could talk about: The meaning of "captivity" – what does that suggest? The symbolism of the "lottery" - is it a metaphor for God’s judgment? The connection to other biblical stories (like the story of Job)?