Definition: But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezra 5:12. It’s a really important story about a powerful, destructive event in ancient Jerusalem. Here's a simplified explanation: Basically, it says that after God’s people had angered him (caused trouble), he sent Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, to destroy their temple and force them to leave. Let’s unpack that a little further: “But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven…” This means that the people who built the temple in Jerusalem had disobeyed God. They were acting in ways that angered him – perhaps through selfishness, pride, or disrespecting his will. Think of it like a really big, serious mistake. “…he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon…” This is where it gets dramatic. Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful ruler in Babylon (a large city-state in Mesopotamia – now part of Iraq). He saw this as an opportunity to punish the people who had angered God. “…the Chaldean, who destroyed this house…” "Chaldean" is a Greek word that means "judge" or "one who judges." So, Nebuchadnezzar was essentially giving the judgment – he was destroying the temple. "...and carried the people away into Babylon.” This is the most crucial part. The people were forced to leave Jerusalem and be taken to Babylon as prisoners. It was a very harsh punishment. In short, this verse describes a time of intense anger and punishment from God, leading to a devastating event – the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. Important Context: This story is part of a larger narrative about exile and the downfall of Israel. It’s a reminder that even when people are angry with God, He can ultimately be merciful and restore things. --- Do you want me to elaborate on any specific aspect of this verse? For example, would you like me to: Explain what "temple" was in ancient times? Discuss the significance of Babylon at the time?