Definition: And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 31:10. It’s a pretty dramatic statement about a massive destruction! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, the Israelites were completely wiped out. Let’s unpack that: “They burnt all their cities” : This refers to entire towns and settlements – everything they built and lived in. It wasn’t just a few buildings; it was a complete destruction of their homes, farms, and infrastructure. “and all their goodly castles” : This highlights the importance of their wealth and possessions. They had fortified areas and impressive structures that were destroyed. “with fire” : This is the key part. The Israelites were completely engulfed in flames. It wasn’t just a small blaze; it was a massive, overwhelming event. The Context - Why was this happening? This verse comes from a very significant and troubling event in the book of Numbers. The Israelites had been disobeying God's commands – primarily regarding worshipping other gods – for a long time. God decided to punish them with this complete destruction as a consequence of their rebellion. It’s a powerful image of God’s judgment. It represents a total and irreversible loss, signifying that their sins were too great to be forgiven or recovered. In short, it describes a devastating event where the Israelites were utterly destroyed – their homes, possessions, and even their very existence. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some historical context about this event? Talk about what this verse might mean in terms of God’s perspective?