Definition: God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse. It’s a really interesting and slightly unsettling one, and it's packed with meaning! Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is questioning whether God can be tricked or deceived. It’s saying that God is absolutely reliable and trustworthy – he never lies. Let’s unpack it word-by-word: “Numbers 23:19” : This refers to a specific story in the Old Testament, involving Joseph, who was sold into slavery in Egypt. “God…” : This is talking about God. “[is] not a man…” : This means God isn’t like us – he doesn't have emotions or flaws that could lead to him lying. He’s perfect and truthful. “…that he should lie…” : This part is crucial. It’s saying that God could possibly deceive someone, but he wouldn’t. He’d be honest in everything he says. “neither the son of man…” : This refers to Jesus Christ, who is believed by Christians to be God's Son. “…that he should repent…” : "Repent" means to feel remorse or guilt and to turn away from something wrong. ”…hatted he should?” : This is the key part of the question. It’s asking if Jesus could have said something that would be untrue, and then not do it. “or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” : This means “Did he speak before? And will he not correct it?” – He promised to forgive and redeem anyone who was truly sorry for a wrong. So, what's the big takeaway? The verse is essentially saying: God is incredibly trustworthy and reliable. He never lies, even if someone tries to trick him. It’s a strong statement of God’s character and commitment to truthfulness. Why is this important? This verse is often used in the context of Jesus' teachings about forgiveness and redemption. It reminds us that God will always work for good, and that we should trust in his promises, even when things seem difficult. It highlights the idea that God’s word is absolute. --- Do you want to delve deeper into any aspect of this verse? For example, would you like me to: Explain its significance within a particular biblical story (like the story of Joseph)? Discuss how this verse relates to themes of forgiveness and redemption?