Definition: And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezra 10:7. It's a really important message about repentance and rebuilding. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is telling people in Judah (which includes modern-day Israel and Palestine) to come together – to gather – and return to Jerusalem. It’s essentially an invitation to rebuild a temple, which was a central place of worship for the Jewish people. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And they made proclamation…” : This means they (likely leaders or officials) announced this message. They were telling everyone about what needed to happen. “…throughout Judah and Jerusalem…” : This specifies where the announcement was made – throughout the entire region of Judah, which includes modern-day Israel and parts of Palestine. It’s a broad call for action. “unto all the children of the captivity…” : This is the key part! "Captivity" means people who were exiled from their homeland – often because they disobeyed God's laws or didn’t follow his instructions. “Children of the captivity” refers to those who had left and were now returned. It’s a reminder that these people are being called back home. “…that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem…” : This is the command . They need to come back to Jerusalem – to the place where the Temple was located – to participate in something important. What's the Big Picture? This verse speaks about a time when Israel was facing a crisis – a period of disobedience and separation from God. The message is a call for repentance and restoration. It’s about acknowledging that we’ve fallen short of God’s will, and it requires us to return to righteousness and worship him again. In essence, it's a plea for forgiveness and a chance to rebuild something sacred – the Temple – as a symbol of their renewed relationship with God. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from Ezra 10? Discuss the historical context of this event? Talk about what it means for us today in relation to repentance and rebuilding?