Definition: Thou [art] the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nehemiah 9:7. It's a really important one that highlights a significant part of God's plan for Israel! Here's what it means in simple terms: “Thou [art] the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram…” “Thou” – This is a formal address, meaning "you" – referring to God himself. “the LORD” – This is a title for God, signifying that He is the supreme ruler and authority. It’s a way of calling Him by His proper name. “who didst choose Abram…” – This means God chose Abram, a man who lived in Ur of the Chaldees (a very wealthy and powerful city near present-day Houston, Texas). “…and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees…” “broughtest” - This is a passive verb meaning "brought" or "led." “him forth” – This means God led Abram away from his home city. “out of Ur of the Chaldees” – This tells us where Abraham came from. Ur of the Chaldees was a very important and wealthy city, known for its wealth and power. “…and gavest him the name of Abraham.” “gavest” - This is a past tense verb meaning "gave." “him” – This refers back to Abram, the man God chose. “the name of Abraham” – God gave Abram the name “Abraham”. This name means "father of many" and it’s a very significant part of his identity as God's chosen person. So, putting it all together: This verse is saying that God chose Abraham to be a special leader and a key figure in Israel. He brought him out of a difficult and potentially dangerous place (Ur of the Chaldees) and gave him the name "Abraham" – a powerful and significant name that signifies his role as God's chosen people. Why is this important? This story is crucial because it’s considered one of the foundational stories in Judaism. It shows God’s love, faithfulness, and plan for establishing a nation called Israel. It establishes the idea that God has a special purpose for certain individuals and that God will work through them to bring about His plan. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further with more details? Give you some of the historical context surrounding this story? Talk about its significance in Jewish tradition or Christian theology?