Definition: And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred [them] into the pot of pottage: for they knew [them] not.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It's a bit strange at first, but it describes a surprising story! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse tells of a man named Jeroboam who was wandering around the wilderness looking for herbs and plants to gather. He stumbled upon a wild vine growing in a field. Instead of just picking it, he gathered a lot of it – enough to fill his lap! He then took this vine and started to mash it up into a stew or pot of soup. Let’s unpack the details: “And one went out into the field…” : This sets the scene – someone was exploring. “…to gather herbs…” : He was looking for plants, likely for medicinal purposes or for something to make food. “…and found a wild vine…” : He discovered a vine that wasn’t cultivated or planned on. It was growing naturally in the field. “And gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full…” : He collected a huge quantity of the vine, filling his lap completely with the gourds (which are similar to cucumbers and melons). “…and came and shred [them] into the pot of pottage:” : This is where it gets interesting. “Shred” means to chop or break something up. He then put these gourds into a pot of soup or stew. “…for they knew [them] not.” : This is the key part. The people who saw this event weren't entirely sure what the vine was. It was a surprise, and they didn’t understand its purpose. What does it mean? The story is symbolic. It speaks to a few things: Unexpected Discoveries: Sometimes, we find amazing or unusual things when we're exploring. Misunderstanding: The people who saw this man weren't fully understanding what he was doing – they didn’t know the significance of the vine. God’s Plan: It also suggests that God sometimes works in mysterious and unexpected ways. In essence, it’s a story about a man’s curiosity leading him to an unusual find that highlights the importance of understanding what we discover. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the meaning behind this specific passage in more detail?