Definition: And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 25:3. It's a really important passage about God's judgment and how He feels about people’s actions. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is feeling very angry with the Ammonites, the people of Israel, and especially those who went into captivity (leaving the land). He’s saying that they have repeatedly violated His rules and boundaries. Let's break it down word by word: “Ezekiel 25:3” : This is the verse itself – it’s from a book called Ezekiel, written by a prophet named Ezekiel. “And say unto the Ammonites…” : This means God is speaking directly to the people of Ammonites. “…Hear the word of the Lord GOD…” : God is calling them to listen to Him. “Thus saith the Lord GOD…” : This is a very formal way of saying, “This is what God says.” “Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary…” : This is the key part. "Sanctuary" means a place of holiness and worship – a special area where God lives and works. God is saying that Ammonites have been disrespectful to His sacred space. “…when it was profaned…” : “Profaned” means to desecrate or ruin something, especially with disrespect. They’ve broken the rules and boundaries of that place. “And against the land of Israel…” : This is a warning about the impact of their actions on Israel – God's people. “…when it was desolate…” : This means they were in a bad, broken state - perhaps due to war or a lack of care for their land. “And against the house of Judah…” : This refers to the people of Judah (a group of tribes within Israel), and God is expressing his displeasure at their actions. Putting it all together: God is telling the Ammonites that they’ve been disrespectful, damaging, and causing harm to His sacred space and to Israel. He’s essentially saying they need to stop doing those things. It's a serious warning about the consequences of disobedience. What’s the big takeaway? This verse shows God's absolute holiness and his unwavering commitment to justice. It's a reminder that we are all accountable to Him, and our actions have consequences. It also highlights the importance of respecting God’s boundaries and avoiding wrongdoing. --- Important Note: The Bible is complex, and this passage has been interpreted in different ways throughout history. This explanation offers a generally accepted understanding based on biblical scholarship. Would you like me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or event from the Old Testament?