Definition: Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that verse from Zechariah 8:4. It's a pretty striking image and has some really important meaning. Here’s what it says in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a future situation where the streets of Jerusalem will be filled with people who are old – both men and women – and they’ll be walking around with staffs (or sticks) as a sign of their age. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Thus saith the LORD of hosts”: This is just a way of saying “The Lord speaks.” It’s a formal, authoritative voice. “There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem…” This means that people who are significantly older than most people today will be living in the main areas of Jerusalem. “…and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.”: This is the key part! It describes them carrying staffs – likely as a symbol of their long life and experience. The phrase "very age" emphasizes how old they are. What does this verse mean ? This passage is often interpreted as a warning about: The decline of society: The verse suggests a weakening or fading of the community and its values, particularly in the older generations. Loss of wisdom and experience: It speaks to the loss of knowledge and insight that comes with age. A potential for chaos or instability: Some interpretations suggest this could be a sign that the kingdom is facing challenges due to aging or decline. Important Note: It’s important to remember that this is a vision – a prophetic image. It wasn't intended as a literal description of what will happen in the future, but rather as a symbolic representation of something larger. --- Do you want me to: Explain any particular aspect of this verse in more detail? Discuss its significance within the context of the Old Testament or biblical prophecies? Give you a different interpretation of it?