Definition: When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when [thou] numberest them.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 30:12. It's a really important passage about how God chooses and manages his people. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is choosing a group of Israelites to be his chosen people. He wants them to be safe and protected, and he wants to ensure they don’t suffer from trouble or danger. Let's look at the parts: “When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel…” – This means God is deciding to have a specific group of people with him – the Israelites – as his chosen ones. “…after their number” - This refers to a specific, defined number of people. “Then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD…” – This is the key part. He’s giving each person a chance to have a special relationship with God. “A ransom for his soul” means he's offering them a way to be saved and find peace with him forever. “…when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when [thou] numberest them.” – This is about protecting them from danger. God wants to know how many people are in his group so he can make sure they’re safe and don't get into trouble. He also wants to ensure they don't suffer from any bad things happening because of too many people. “No plague among them” means he wants to protect them from harm – maybe illness, or even danger. "When [thou] numberest them" is a reminder that this is a very important and significant decision, and God wants to be certain about the number. In essence, it’s about God’s protection and care for his people, and he’s giving them a way to have a relationship with him through a specific number of people. It's a reminder that God is responsible for his chosen group and wants to keep them safe. What does this verse say about God? He’s Sovereign: He is in charge and making decisions. He cares deeply: He has a vested interest in the well-being of his people. He's proactive: He’s taking steps to protect them from potential harm. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse further, perhaps focusing on its significance in the story of the Exodus? Or would you like me to give you another example of a Bible verse?