Definition: Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, [are] these.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 7:4. It’s a really important and troubling passage in the Old Testament. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Core Idea: This verse is saying that people were making false claims about the Temple – God’s sacred place – to try and trick God. They were saying things like “The temple is ruined,” or “The temple is empty.” Let's unpack it word by word: “Jeremiah 7:4” : This refers to a specific prophecy written by Jeremiah, a prophet for the Israelites during a time of great trouble. “Trust ye not in lying words…” : This is the crucial part. It’s telling people not to rely on false promises or deceptive statements. “Trust” means to believe and rely on something. “…saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, [are] these.” : This is where it gets serious. The people were claiming that all three versions of the Temple – the one dedicated to Yahweh (God), and the one dedicated to other deities – were actually ruined or empty. They were saying they were all the same thing. What was happening? During a period of intense rebellion against God, these people were trying to manipulate him by falsely claiming that his Temple was damaged or worthless. It was a way for them to justify their actions – to make themselves feel better about breaking God’s laws. The Significance: This verse is significant because it highlights the dangers of pride and dishonesty. It's a warning against being proud and making false claims, especially when they threaten the foundation of faith and obedience to God. It shows that people can be very manipulative when they try to deceive others. In short: This verse warns against making false claims about the sacred place of God and encourages people to trust in God’s truth. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss a particular theme from this passage (like faith, obedience, or deception)? Give you some context for when this verse was written?