Definition: In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It's a pretty complex passage, so we’ll go through it step-by-step: Overall Meaning: This verse speaks about a time of great hardship and destruction for a specific group of people – likely the Israelites – and describes their ultimate fate. It paints a picture of a devastating period where they are brought to a point of utter ruin. Let’s unpack it word by word: “In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts…” - This is saying that now is the moment when things are about to get really bad. “Lord of Hosts” means God – the ultimate authority and ruler. “…of a people scattered and peeled…” - "Scattered" means they’ve been divided into smaller groups, perhaps by conflict or exile. "Peeled" suggests they're being stripped away, weakened, and losing their identity. It's like a skin being removed – they’re becoming less whole. “…and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto;” - This emphasizes how deeply damaged they are. “Terrible from their beginning” means they were once a powerful and blessed nation. The phrase "from their beginning hitherto" is a strong way of saying they were at the height of their glory, but have now fallen far short. “A nation meted out and trodden under foot…” - This describes how they’re treated unfairly. “Meted out” means given out or distributed; “trodden under foot” is a very harsh metaphor – it suggests being ignored, disregarded, and treated as insignificant. “…whose land the rivers have spoiled…” - This is a key image. Rivers are often symbols of life and prosperity. When they’re "spoiled," it means their source of life has been corrupted or destroyed. It's a clear sign of devastation. “to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.” - Finally, we get to the destination . “Mount Zion” is a very important place in the Bible – it’s a holy and promised place where God dwells with his people. "The name of the Lord of Hosts" is the name of God who has promised to protect and guide us. “The mount Zion” signifies this final, blessed location where God will dwell with his people forever. Putting It All Together – The Big Picture: Isaiah 18:7 describes a period when a nation is facing severe consequences due to their own failings and the actions of others. They are being abandoned, weakened, and treated as insignificant. Ultimately, they’re brought to a place where God will dwell with them in perfect peace and glory – a place of ultimate blessing and restoration. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a prophecy about the future destruction of Israel, but it's more generally about the ongoing need for repentance and faithfulness to God. --- Do you have any specific questions about this verse that you’d like me to answer? For example, would you like me to: Explain a particular part in more detail? Compare it to another Bible passage? Discuss the historical context of this prophecy?