Definition: And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 2 Kings 20:18. It’s a pretty serious and important passage about Joseph’s future role. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse speaks about Joseph, the man who raised Jesus, and his sons inheriting a specific responsibility – to be unmarried and eunuchs (meaning they won't have any male children) within the palace of King Babylon. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget…” This is a direct statement about Joseph’s future offspring. It means that Joseph will have sons who will come into the world through him. "...shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” This is the crucial part. "They shall take away" suggests this isn't a simple matter of being unmarried – it’s about a change in their role and purpose. “Eunuchs” means they will be excluded from having children, typically for religious or political reasons. The king of Babylon (a powerful ruler) is essentially saying that Joseph's sons will be kept out of the royal court and possibly even placed in a subordinate position within his palace. What’s happening? The verse is a prophecy about Joseph’s destiny and it speaks to a strategic move by King David. David, after losing power, planned to use Joseph as a pawn to secure an alliance with Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. By having Joseph in the palace, he hoped to gain favor with this powerful king. Important Context: Joseph’s Role: Joseph was incredibly skilled and trusted by David. He played a vital role in securing David's victory over Goliath. Prophecy: This verse is a prophecy of Joseph's life – it wasn’t just about him being a good man, but also about his future responsibility to act as a buffer for David. In short, this verse describes a carefully planned situation where Joseph’s sons would be relegated to a position outside the royal family due to a strategic alliance with a foreign king. --- Disclaimer: I'm an AI and don't provide religious or theological interpretations. This explanation is based on biblical interpretation and historical context. Do you have any specific questions about this verse that I can answer for you? Would you like me to: Explain a particular aspect of the verse in more detail? Provide some background on Joseph’s story?