Definition: And king Ahaz cut off the borders of the bases, and removed the laver from off them; and took down the sea from off the brasen oxen that [were] under it, and put it upon a pavement of stones.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible passage together. It’s a pretty dramatic and unusual verse from the Old Testament! Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a very strange and desperate action taken by King Ahaz after his son, Jehoram, rebelled against him. He essentially tried to destroy the defenses of Jerusalem – the walls and the special altar used for sacrifices – and then completely changed the water supply. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And king Ahaz cut off the borders of the bases…” : This means King Ahaz took away the outer walls or fortifications around Jerusalem. He was trying to weaken the city's defenses. “…and removed the laver from them…” : The “laver” is a special altar used for offering sacrifices to God. It was crucial for the ritual and felt like a very important part of the temple’s identity. Removing it meant disrupting the sacred practices. “and took down the sea from off the brasen oxen that [were] under it…” : This is where it gets really strange. “Brasen oxen” refers to large, ceremonial oxen used for sacrifices. The verse says he took away the water supply – the river and pools – that these oxen were drinking from. It was like removing their source of life! “and put it upon a pavement of stones.” : Finally, he replaced the water with a massive, stone-paved area. It’s as if he was trying to completely seal off the area with a barrier – a huge, impenetrable wall. What's the meaning behind this? This is often interpreted as a sign of extreme desperation and a desperate attempt to regain control after his son’s rebellion. It suggests: A Loss of Control: King Ahaz was clearly losing control of his kingdom and facing a major crisis. Disruption of Sacred Rituals: The removal of the laver and water supply disrupted important religious practices. Fear & Panic: It speaks to a deep sense of fear and panic, as if he was trying to prevent something terrible from happening. Important Note: It’s crucial to understand this passage in its historical context. This is an ancient text, and the details are somewhat symbolic. The exact meaning has been debated by scholars for centuries. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect this verse to a specific event or story from the Old Testament?