Definition: And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 20:4. It’s a really important and somewhat unsettling passage in the Bible. Here's an explanation in simple terms: The Basic Situation: God is telling Pharaoh – the leader of Egypt – to stop building the massive pyramid. He’s asking him to move his people to a remote, uninhabited area called the “wilderness.” This is happening because the Egyptians are planning to sacrifice a young man to the gods as an annual offering. What's Happening Now? Pharaoh has already brought a huge crowd of people – including his priests, officials, and many of his workers – to this wilderness. They’re building a massive, elaborate temple complex. The verse says they are bringing up (meaning bringing into focus or attention) this crowd. The Question & The Significance: The key question is: Why are they doing this? God is asking why they've chosen to be in this place – a desolate and isolated area. It seems like they’re making an offering, and God is concerned about the consequences of that offering. Putting it Together - A Possible Interpretation: The verse implies that Pharaoh's decision to build the pyramid is a sacrifice to the gods. The people are being brought to this wilderness because they are performing this ritual sacrifice. It’s a deliberate act of appeasement and a demonstration of power, but it's also a potentially dangerous one because it draws attention to the gods. Important Note: This is just one interpretation of the verse. The Bible often has layers of meaning, and there are different theological perspectives on how to understand this passage. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss a specific theme connected to this passage (like sacrifice or obedience)?