Definition: The men of Bethel and Ai, an hundred twenty and three.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down that verse from Nehemiah 7:32. It’s a really important story about how God dealt with sin and wickedness. Here’s the explanation in simple terms: The Basic Story: Bethel & Ai – Two Cities: The verse describes two cities, Bethel and Ai, which were both plagued by terrible problems – they were deeply sinful and corrupt. A Crowd of People – 123 Men: There was a large group of people from each city – about 123 in total. These weren’t just a few individuals; it was a significant number of people. The Problem – A Big Sin: The key thing is that everyone in this crowd was committing serious, often violent, sin. They were involved in things like: Murdering each other. Betraying their own leaders. Taking God's law seriously and refusing to follow it. What Happened Next? The Bible says that God sent a large group of angels to punish these people. They weren’t just angry; they were focused on making it clear who was responsible for the evil. They didn't hesitate – they simply punished them. It wasn’t a gentle, forgiving punishment; it was a very harsh one. The Significance: This verse is a reminder that: Sin has consequences: When people sin and become wicked, God will deal with them seriously. God’s judgment is swift and powerful: He doesn't give in to weakness or excuses. He responds directly to the offense. It's about repentance and turning back: The verse suggests that acknowledging your wrongdoing and turning away from evil is crucial for God’s favor. In short, Nehemiah 7:32 tells us that when people are deeply sinful, God will send a large group of angels to punish them severely. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this story in more detail? Talk about how this story relates to modern-day issues like sin and forgiveness?