Definition: The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD [is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: [and] of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 33:11 together. It’s a really poetic and symbolic passage, but we can understand its core message. Here's a simplified explanation: Overall Meaning: This verse speaks about God’s future return to the land of Israel and the restoration of His people after a period of hardship and suffering. It’s a promise of hope and a sign that He will ultimately restore everything to its original glory. Let’s break it down word by word: “Jeremiah 33:11” : This refers to a specific prophecy from the Old Testament book of Jeremiah – a very important message about God's future plan. “The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride…” This is figurative language – it’s comparing different kinds of sounds to represent something wonderful. "The bridegroom" is a reference to Jesus Christ, who is often described as the Messiah. “The bride” refers to God's people, those he has chosen. The “voice” represents these joyful and celebratory sounds. “the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD [is] good; for his mercy endureth…” This is the main point – it’s a call to praise God. The phrase "for the LORD is good" means He is inherently good and worthy of worship. “His mercy endureth” means His goodness doesn't disappear, but continues through time. “[and] of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD.” This suggests a specific action – offering sacrifices (a type of worship) to God. Bringing these sacrifices into the "house of the Lord" means placing them in a place of reverence and importance. “For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.” This is the most significant part – it’s a prophecy about God's future intervention. “Captivity” refers to a period of oppression or hardship. The "first" time is referring to a time in Israel's history when God allowed them to be enslaved and suffer. God will ultimately restore everything back to its original state, bringing the land back to its former glory – like it was before there were problems. “Saith the LORD” means “The Lord says.” In simpler terms: God is going to return to bless his people with a joyful celebration after a long time of hardship and suffering. He’s promising to restore everything, including the land and its people, through a renewed act of worship – offering sacrifices that will bring back the blessings he has taken away. It's a message of hope, restoration, and ultimate triumph for God’s people. Important Note: This verse is complex and open to interpretation. It speaks to a grand, prophetic vision of God’s return and His restoration of his kingdom. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect this verse to other Bible stories or themes? Discuss the symbolism behind the imagery used?