Definition: For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not:

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Zechariah 8:14. It’s a really important part of a story about God’s relationship with Israel in ancient times. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Long ago, God was angry at the Israelites because they disobeyed his commands and angered him. He sent messengers to punish them. Zechariah, one of God's messengers, then says this: “God is speaking…and he regretted not!” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “For thus saith the LORD of hosts…” : This is a very formal way of saying "God speaks..." It emphasizes that this is a serious and important moment. “…As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath…” : This means God was thinking about punishing the Israelites for something they did – perhaps disobeying him or being disrespectful. He was anticipating a punishment. “Said the LORD of hosts…” : This is really significant - it’s saying that God himself is speaking! It's not just a messenger; it's God directly addressing them. “…and I repented not!” : This is the core of the verse. God regretted not his anger. He felt remorse for what he had done and acknowledged his mistake. What does this mean in a nutshell? It means that God recognizes that he was wrong to be so angry with the Israelites, and he feels sorry for it. It shows humility and a willingness to take responsibility. It’s like saying, “I messed up, and I'm apologizing.” Important Context: This verse is part of a larger story in the Old Testament – specifically, it's connected to the Exodus story where God sent Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. It speaks to how God’s relationship with his people was complex and involved both anger and repentance. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you a more detailed explanation of a specific part of the story? Answer any questions you have about this passage?