Definition: And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I [will chastise you] with scorpions.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 10:14. It’s a pretty powerful and complex passage about punishment and justice in the Bible. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is sending a severe punishment to the people of Israel who were causing trouble and rebellion. He’s not just going to hit them with whips – he’s going to use something even more painful and debilitating. Let’s unpack it part by part: “And answered them after the advice of the young men…” This means God listened to the counsel of the leaders, specifically the young men who were leading the rebellion. They were advising the people to be harsh and demanding. “…saying, My father made your yoke heavy…” This refers to the laws and obligations that the Israelites were forced to follow – a system of rules and restrictions imposed on them by God. These laws were seen as burdensome and limiting. Think of it like a heavy load you have to carry. "...but I [will chastise you] with scorpions.” This is the crucial part! God isn't just going to slap them with whips. He’s going to use something far more painful – imagine scorpions! Scorpions are venomous and incredibly uncomfortable. This is a metaphor for a very harsh, debilitating punishment. It means he will inflict pain that is far beyond what they could handle. So, the whole verse paints a picture of God's judgment being significantly worse than anything they had experienced before. It’s a stark contrast between their suffering under the rules and the devastating consequence of God’s wrath. Overall Meaning: This verse illustrates that God’s justice isn’t just about inflicting pain, but about deliberately and severely punishing those who are defiant and rebellious against him. It's a message of ultimate consequence. Important Note: This is a difficult passage to interpret because it uses figurative language. It’s not meant to be taken literally. It’s a reminder that God will hold people accountable for their choices, and that his punishment can be very severe. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or event in the Bible?