Definition: And they shall answer, Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the LORD brought upon them all this evil.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a pretty serious one, and it speaks about a significant turning point in Israel's history. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Core Message: This verse is saying that Israel has rejected God and turned away from Him for too long. It’s essentially acknowledging a deep spiritual failure. Let's unpack the key parts: “And they shall answer…” : This means Israel must respond to what’s being said. They need to acknowledge their mistake. “…Because they forsook the LORD their God…” : This is the crucial part. “Forsook” means to abandon or reject. The verse says they have abandoned God, meaning they no longer worship Him as they should . It’s like choosing to ignore or disrespect something incredibly important. “…who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt…” : This is a powerful image. It's like saying that God miraculously delivered the Israelites from a terrible and difficult situation – slavery in Egypt. This event was a huge turning point for their history and destiny. “and have taken hold upon other gods…” : They’ve now begun to worship other gods, instead of solely worshipping God. It's like they've become obsessed with something else, prioritizing it over the one true God. “…and have worshipped them, and served them:” This highlights their behavior – they are actively engaging in idolatry – which is worshipping idols or false deities. "...and have treated them as gods…” : This emphasizes that they've become overly dependent on these other gods, treating them as powerful and important figures instead of recognizing them as subordinate to God. “…and have served them:” They are now serving these false gods, offering sacrifices and worship to them. What does it mean in a nutshell? It means Israel has strayed from its true path and fallen into idolatry – worshipping things that aren't real or divine. It’s a very serious consequence of this rejection. The Context: This verse is part of the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Kings. It’s a significant moment that led to a period of exile and hardship for Israel. It shows how important it is to remember God and return to Him. --- Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a warning about the dangers of idolatry and emphasizes the importance of returning to God. It's a reminder that true faith involves worshipping Him and living according to His will, not focusing on anything else. Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific event or story in the Bible? Discuss its significance in different theological perspectives?