Definition: And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth [month], in the fifth [day] of the month, [that] one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 33:21. It's a really interesting and symbolic passage! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a dramatic encounter between God and a person who escaped from Jerusalem. It’s about a warning and a call to action. Let’s look at the parts: “Ezekiel 33:21…” : This is the verse itself, coming from a book of the Bible called Ezekiel. “…and it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity…” : "Captivity" means being held captive or under an oppressive rule – think of being imprisoned. “The twelfth year of our captivity” refers to a time when God and Israel were being exiled from their land, possibly because of a rebellion. “…in the tenth [month], in the fifth [day] of the month, [that] one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me…” : This is where it gets symbolic. “The tenth [month], in the fifth [day]…” This tells us exactly when this encounter happened – it was on the 5th day of the fifth month. “One that had escaped out of Jerusalem” means someone who left Jerusalem – a leader, perhaps. “…saying, The city is smitten.” : This is the crucial part. “The city is smitten” isn’t just about a physical city; it's a metaphor for something damaged or destroyed . It suggests a deep and painful state of ruin. What does it mean overall? The verse paints a picture of a time when God is seriously concerned about Israel’s situation. It means that the people have been abandoned, perhaps to a point where they're in a terrible state. God is calling out to this person – likely someone who is responsible for causing this trouble – with a serious warning. In short: It's telling us that God sees a significant problem and is sending a message of urgency to someone who has left the land, and it’s implying that this situation is seriously damaging the people. --- To help me explain it even better, could you tell me: What are you hoping to understand about this verse? (e.g., its historical context, its message, etc.)