Definition: And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 2:23. It’s a really important passage about a pivotal moment in the story of the Israelites’ journey out of Egypt. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: Israel was enslaved: The Israelites were living under the rule of Pharaoh, and they were being treated as slaves. They couldn't go anywhere freely or own anything. King Dies: Suddenly, Pharaoh died – he passed away. This meant there was no leader to make laws for them. The Children of Israel Suffer: Because they weren’t led by a king, the Israelites were left without guidance and couldn't do much about their situation. They felt sad and frustrated. They Cried Out: Their sadness and frustration led to tears – a lot of them! These tears reached up to God. What the Verse Says: “And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage.” “It came to pass…” : This is just a way of saying “happened” or “occurred." It's a normal way of describing events. “The king of Egypt died” : This means Pharaoh, who was ruling over them, passed away. “and the children of Israel sighed” : The Israelites were feeling really sad and unhappy because they were trapped in slavery. They weren’t getting any better treatment. “by reason of the bondage” : This is the key part! “Bondage” means being held captive or under a restrictive rule. The Israelites were being kept as slaves, and their sadness stemmed from that. Overall Meaning: This verse tells us that the Israelites’ suffering started because they were trapped in slavery. Their sadness grew until it reached out to God – a sign of their longing for freedom and relief. It's like when you're feeling overwhelmed by something; sometimes, we cry out to someone for help. The verse suggests that this crying was a plea for a solution to their situation. Why is this important? This story is often seen as the beginning of God’s plan to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It shows that even when things seem hopeless, there's always hope and that people can connect with God through their pain and suffering. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss the significance of this story within the larger context of the Old Testament?