Definition: But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Judges 16:21. It's a really strange and dramatic story about a powerful Philistine leader. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: A Powerful Leader: The verse tells us that a Philistine leader, named “the man who was called Sela ,” was incredibly strong and feared. He was the leader of a large group of people. Disrespect & Rebellion: He was disrespecting God and challenging his authority. He was leading his people in ways that weren’t right according to the laws of the Israelites (the people God had given to Moses). The Cruel Treatment: The Philistines, feeling threatened by this leader's defiance, decided to treat him very harshly. They took him away, bound him with brass fetters (which are kind of heavy and shiny), and put him in a prison house. What Happened Next? Grinding in the Prison: He was then forced to grind – to work hard – inside this prison house. This is a very harsh punishment – it meant he had to do a lot of labor. In essence, this verse describes a brutal and humiliating experience for a Philistine leader who was punished severely for his rebellious actions. It’s a stark example of how power can lead to cruelty and injustice. Important Note: It’s important to remember that this story is part of a larger narrative about the Israelites facing a powerful enemy. The story highlights the dangers of disobedience and the need to respect God's laws. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this story happened in the Bible? Connect it to a specific biblical event or theme? Give you some context about the time period when this story occurred?