Definition: Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Isaiah 30:12. It's a pretty powerful and important part of the Old Testament prophecy about the future of Israel. Here's a simplified explanation: What it means in plain language: “Isaiah 30:12 says, 'Therefore, this is the word of the Holy One of Israel – because you despise this word and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay on it.’” Let’s unpack the key parts: "Isaiah 30:12" : This is a specific passage from the Old Testament. It's a prophecy (a prediction about the future) written by Isaiah, a prophet who lived around the time of King Hezekiah in Israel. “Therefore” : This isn’t just saying something happened; it’s emphasizing that this is a consequence of something else. It's like saying “Because of this…” “the Holy One of Israel” : This refers to God himself – the divine presence in the Jewish people. It emphasizes that God is focused on them. “Because you despise this word” : This is the core of the message. The Hebrew word “despise” means to reject, ignore, or turn away from something. It suggests a deliberate choice to avoid following God’s guidance. “and trust in oppression and perverseness” : This highlights how they are rejecting God's word. They’re choosing to put their faith in being misled, manipulated, or taken advantage of – things that go against God's will. "Oppression" means injustice or unfair treatment. "Perverseness" means going against what is right or natural. “and stay thereon” : This is the crucial part. It means they remain on this path of rejecting God and being misled. They continue to follow this course, stubbornly resisting God’s guidance. What it's telling us – The Big Picture: This verse paints a picture of a nation that is drifting away from God. They are focusing on negativity, injustice, and turning their backs on the truth. It suggests a serious crisis – they are staying on this path even though there’s a clear sign that it's leading them astray. Why is this important? This verse is often seen as a warning about the dangers of spiritual apathy (not actively following God’s teachings) and resisting divine guidance. It's a call to repentance – to turn back to God and seek His will. It anticipates a time when Israel will be weakened and vulnerable because they are focused on negative things rather than positive ones. In short, it warns about the importance of listening to God’s word and resisting temptation and deceit. --- To help me tailor this explanation further for you, could you tell me: Are you interested in a more general explanation, or would you like a deeper dive into a specific aspect (like the historical context)? Do you have any particular questions about what this verse means?