Definition: And I will set my jealousy against thee, and they shall deal furiously with thee: they shall take away thy nose and thine ears; and thy remnant shall fall by the sword: they shall take thy sons and thy daughters; and thy residue shall be devoured by the fire.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this very challenging verse from Ezekiel 23:25. It's a powerful and unsettling passage about God’s judgment. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms, aiming to understand its meaning without getting bogged down in complex theology: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a severe punishment for Israel (the nation of Judah) that God is about to inflict upon them. It's essentially a warning and a dramatic statement of divine wrath. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And I will set my jealousy against thee…” – This isn’t just anger; it's a deep, intense feeling of resentment and hostility directed at Israel. "Jealousy" means to be envious or suspicious. God is actively choosing to feel this way towards them. “…and they shall deal furiously with thee: they shall take away thy nose and thine ears…” – This describes a deliberate and aggressive assault. The verse says that Israel will be subjected to relentless, forceful actions. “Deal furiously” means to act with great intensity and aggression – it’s not just a little annoyance; it's a purposeful attack. “Taking away your nose and your ears” suggests a deliberate targeting of their physical features – perhaps as a sign of disrespect or a way to provoke God. “And thy remnant shall fall by the sword: they shall take thy sons and thy daughters; and thy residue shall be devoured by the fire.” – This is the most frightening part. It's not just about hurting them physically, but actively destroying them. "They shall take thy sons and thy daughters" : This means that God intends to kill or destroy many of Israel’s people, including their children. It’s a brutal and devastating consequence of the anger and hatred. “And thy residue shall be devoured by the fire” : This is a metaphorical death sentence. The “residue” refers to those who survive – those who are not completely destroyed. The "fire" symbolizes divine punishment or judgment. It suggests that those who remain after the initial onslaught will be consumed in God’s wrath. What does this mean, and why is it so disturbing? It's a Warning: The verse isn't necessarily predicting a single event but rather warning about a future period of intense hostility and rebellion against God. It’s a call to repentance and obedience. Divine Justice: It speaks to God’s justice – that He will hold those who sin against Him accountable for their actions. It’s about bringing punishment for wrongdoing. A Test of Faith: The verse is often interpreted as a test of Israel's faithfulness to God. It suggests that if they fail to repent and live according to His law, they will face devastating consequences. Important Context (Briefly): This passage appears in Ezekiel 23:1-8 and is part of a larger prophetic vision of God’s judgment on Israel. It's a significant portion of the book of Ezekiel and highlights the seriousness of God’s plan for his people. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a religious scholar. This explanation is based on common interpretations of biblical texts and should be considered a general overview. Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Explore the theological significance of this passage? Compare it to other scriptures about God’s judgment or repentance?