Definition: Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this beautiful verse from Isaiah 7:15. It’s a really interesting and symbolic message about God’s plan for a future king. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that the baby prophesied about in Isaiah 7 – the child of the prophetess Isaiah – will be uniquely blessed with a special, comforting diet. He’ll need to eat things that represent goodness and protection from harm. Let's unpack it layer by layer: “Isaiah 7:15” : This refers to a prophecy in the Old Testament about the birth of a child who will be significant. It’s a very important event in Jewish tradition. “Butter and honey shall he eat…” : This is the key part! The verse describes what this baby will eat. Butter and honey are symbols of comfort, nourishment, and sweetness – things that represent goodness. "...that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good." This is the core message. It means: “Refuse the evil” : This refers to temptation, sin, and harmful influences in the world. It’s about resisting things that would lead to pain or destruction. "Choose the good" : This represents living a righteous life, following God's will, and making choices that align with His plan for humanity. What does it mean practically? The verse speaks to a future time when this king (the child born) will be surrounded by people who are trying to harm him. He’ll need to be protected by the comfort of good things – like butter and honey – to resist those negative influences and focus on what is right. In essence, it's a prophecy about a future leader who will be blessed with a life of safety and righteousness through his diet. --- Important Note: This is a complex verse, and there’s been much interpretation over the years. Different theologians and biblical scholars have offered various explanations. But this basic understanding – that the baby's diet will symbolize a future life of protection and righteous living – remains the most widely accepted interpretation. Do you want to delve deeper into any specific aspect of this verse? For example, would you like me to: Explain the historical context of Isaiah 7? Discuss different interpretations of the symbolism used?