Definition: And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, [which] thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 5:17. It’s a really powerful and disturbing prophecy about God's judgment against Israel. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Message: God is saying that He will deliberately ruin and impoverish the people of Israel (specifically, the land they've been trusted with). He intends to take everything they have – their harvests, their food, their livestock, even their own homes – and leave them starving. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Jeremiah 5:17” : This is the verse itself – it’s a specific prophecy from the Old Testament book of Jeremiah. “And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bounty…” - This means God will take everything that belongs to Israel. It's not just about material wealth; it's about everything they have worked for, their blessings, and their prosperity. “[which] thy sons and thy daughters should eat” : This highlights the devastating impact on families – it’s not just a general destruction, but specifically targeting the future generations of Israel. “They shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds” : This refers to their livestock - cattle, sheep, goats – everything that is valuable to them. It's a brutal threat to their livelihoods. “They shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees” : This speaks to the land itself, specifically the orchards and fields where they grow fruit. It’s a symbolic representation of their prosperity and ability to provide for themselves. “They shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst…” : This is the most shocking part. It means that God will destroy the cities (and the settlements) that Israel has built, especially those that were protected by walls and borders. It’s a devastating consequence of their disobedience and lack of trust in God. “with the sword” : Finally, God intends to use violence – perhaps a military campaign – to bring about this destruction. The Significance & Context: This verse is part of a larger narrative of Israel's rebellion against God. It’s often interpreted as a warning about the consequences of rejecting God and living in sin. It’s a very serious message of judgment, but it also emphasizes God’s justice and his desire to protect His people. Important Note: This verse is difficult to understand because it describes a future event and uses imagery that can be frightening. It's important to remember it’s a prophecy – a prediction of what will happen, not necessarily a guarantee. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Give you some historical context about this verse? Discuss the different interpretations of this prophecy?