👉 For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which [will] not [be] charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 8:17. It’s a pretty intense warning! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse is saying God is sending bad things – specifically, serpents and birds – to disrupt the people of Israel. Let's unpack each part: “For, behold…” : This is a dramatic introduction. It’s like “And here’s what’s going to happen.” “…I will send serpents…” : This refers to snakes. Snakes are often seen as symbols of danger and evil. The verse suggests that God intends for these snakes to cause harm and trouble. “…cockatrices…” : This is a more figurative term – it means birds. The word "cockatrice" isn't directly translated, but it’s understood to be a type of bird, probably a large, noisy one. “among you” : This tells us these creatures won’t just be near the people; they will attack them. “…which [will] not [be] charmed…” : This is the crucial part. "Charmed" means easily persuaded or controlled. The verse says that these animals won't be able to trick or deceive anyone. They’ll be completely unyielding and resistant to manipulation. "...and they shall bite you..." : This is the consequence – the serpents and birds will inflict harm on the people. The overall message of the verse is a warning about impending disaster. It's a serious message about God’s judgment and that He intends for something bad to happen to Israel, perhaps due to their own actions or choices. Context is important: This passage comes from Jeremiah's prophecy about a time when the Israelites were becoming corrupt and displeased with God. This verse is a direct consequence of that negativity. In short, it’s a biblical warning about danger coming to Israel – through bad creatures. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss what this verse might symbolize in the context of the Old Testament? Give you some possible interpretations of why God might send these creatures?

👉 "Jeremiah 8:17," you ask, is a powerful phrase in the Hebrew Bible. This passage speaks of a prophet named Jeremiah who prophesied doom to Jerusalem. In verse one, God declares that there will be 'eight' signs before this sign comes true: earthquakes, floods, and plagues, which come after the Babylonian exile.

The next sentence from verse eight is "Jeremiah said to the people, `You are like a fig tree, young and green; but you shall become dry and dying.' And when I have poured out my cup of wrath upon it, it will be cut down and thrown into the wilderness." This phrase refers to the harsh judgment that God would give on Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Now, let's use 'Jeremiah 8:17' in a fun twist. Here’s an example sentence: "Jeremiah 8:17 says that the people will be like a fig tree when they hear the news of their doom. They'll become dry and dying, just like those young figs who are not strong enough to withstand the drought." This joke is sure to delight anyone caught in the middle of this fiery prophecy. The pun on "Jeremiah 8:17" is perfect because it perfectly captures the essence of the verse while also being a bit unsettling.