Definition: And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Zechariah 10:11. It’s a pretty dramatic prophecy about a future conflict. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a significant battle between Assyria (a powerful empire) and Egypt (another major power). The message is that Assyria will be defeated, and Egypt's influence will diminish. Let's unpack the details: "And he shall pass through the sea with affliction..." – This suggests a large-scale military invasion. "Affliction" means hardship or difficulty. It’s not just a simple battle; it implies something difficult and challenging is coming. "...and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up." – This part describes a massive destruction of water. The sea will be disrupted, and rivers will stop flowing. It's a complete disruption of natural flows. "And the pride of Assyria shall be brought down..." - Assyria is portrayed as having a strong sense of superiority and might. This means they'll be humbled and defeated. "...and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away." – This refers to Egypt’s power or influence. The "sceptre" symbolizes authority or leadership, and this verse suggests that Egypt’s dominance will weaken significantly. It’s being “departed away” meaning it's losing its strength. Overall Meaning & Interpretation: This is a message of hope and victory for God’s people. It speaks of a time when Assyria (a nation known for its military power) will be defeated, and the influence of Egypt – a powerful empire – will diminish. It's a reminder that God’s plan is working to protect His people and restore justice. Important Note: This is a prophecy – meaning it’s about what will happen, not necessarily what is happening now. It’s a message of hope for the future. --- To help me explain this verse even better, could you tell me: What specifically are you curious about? (e.g., Do you want to know about the symbolism behind it?) Are there any particular aspects of the prophecy that interest you?