Definition: And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Isaiah 8:14. It's a really interesting and symbolic passage about God’s plan for His people in Jerusalem. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse describes God setting up a special system – a “sanctuary” – for Israel, but with a deliberately tricky and challenging design that will both protect them and push them into conflict. It's not just about being safe; it’s designed to test them and lead them towards division. Let's unpack the parts: “He shall be for a sanctuary…” – This means God is going to establish something that provides protection and safety for Israel, like a temple or a special place of refuge. It’s about giving them a safe haven. “…but for a stone of stumbling…” - Think of it as a hard, unyielding foundation. It's not meant to be easy to build on. This "stone" represents a time of intense challenge and difficulty – a period where Israel will face serious problems and setbacks. "...and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel…” - Now, this is where it gets interesting. The “rock” isn’t just about being difficult; it's going to provoke them! It means that this challenge will cause conflict between the different branches (or families) of Israel – the tribes. "...to both the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” - This is the final, crucial part. The “stone” isn’t just a geographical location; it's a symbolic place – Jerusalem itself. It means that this conflict will be felt deeply within the city and its people, causing significant division and trouble. In simpler terms: God is setting up a system to protect Israel, but with a deliberately difficult and challenging design that will lead to division and conflict between them. It’s a promise of turmoil and hardship for the future. What does this mean in the bigger picture? This verse often speaks about times of great upheaval and testing – like the time of Isaiah's prophecy. It suggests that God is working towards a greater outcome, even though it might seem harsh or difficult at the moment. It’s a message of challenge and ultimately, transformation. Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect this verse to other Bible stories? Discuss what "stone" could represent metaphorically?