Definition: They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, [and] consider thee, [saying, Is] this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this beautiful and somewhat mysterious verse from Isaiah 14:16. It’s a really powerful statement about God’s power and perspective. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes God looking down on a nation – specifically, the people of Israel – and seeing them with a tremendous amount of awe and perhaps even fear. He's saying that God is so powerful and aware that he can see the entire world and knows about everything happening within it. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee…” – This means God is observing something significant. It's not just any person; it’s a nation or group of people that is important to him. “…and consider thee, say [Is] this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms?” – This is the core of the verse. “Say [Is]” is a really interesting phrase. It's asking, "Does this person, this nation, possess the kind of power and strength described?" It’s suggesting that this person has the ability to cause significant change – like shaking kingdoms (which was a very powerful concept in ancient times). What does it mean? God's Perspective: The verse emphasizes that God is watching over the world, not just passively observing. He’s aware of everything happening all around him. Divine Power: It highlights God’s absolute power and control. He isn’t limited by human understanding or ability. Potential for Change: The phrase “shake kingdoms” suggests that this person might be capable of creating significant upheaval or disruption. It can imply a time when things will change dramatically, possibly in ways that are difficult to predict. Possible Interpretations (These aren't definitive, but offer different angles): A Time of Testing: Some believe it speaks to a period of testing and judgment for the nation. God is assessing their faith and character. A Future Crisis: It might be a prophecy about a time when God will intervene and bring about significant change – perhaps through disaster or upheaval. God’s Sovereignty: It reinforces the idea that God is in complete control of all things, including nations and kingdoms. Important Note: The context of this verse comes from ancient Hebrew scripture, so it's important to read it within its original historical and cultural setting. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Explore different interpretations of the verse? Discuss how this verse relates to other biblical stories or themes?