Definition: And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, [every stone] about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Revelation 16:21. It’s a pretty intense passage describing a devastating event. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse describes a massive and terrifying storm of ice coming from heaven – think of it like a huge, icy blizzard. It caused widespread panic and blasphemy (angry words or actions) because people were terrified by the sheer amount of ice. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven…” This isn't just any hail; it’s massive . It’s like a huge, icy stone or flake falling from the sky. "Great" here emphasizes its size and power. “[every stone] about the weight of a talent” This is the really important part! A “talent” was a large amount of wealth – think of it as a lot of money, property, or possessions. The verse says every single stone fell with the same weight of that talent. It's overwhelming and significant. “And men blasphemed God…” This is where the problem starts. The sheer size and intensity of the hail caused people to think about God in a terrible way – they started questioning and disrespecting him. It’s like when you see something so huge it makes you feel small and insignificant. “Because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.” The “plague” refers to this overwhelming negativity and anger caused by the ice. It's not just a little annoyance; it’s a powerful, destructive force. It was so intense that it was extraordinary – it was much worse than anything else happening at the time. In short: The verse describes a dramatic and frightening event where a huge amount of icy stones fell from heaven, causing widespread fear, disrespect for God, and a very serious crisis. It’s a warning about the potential consequences of negativity and rebellion against God. What does this mean to us today? It reminds us that: God is powerful: His power can be overwhelming, even in ways we don't fully understand. We need to respect God: Our actions and thoughts should always be mindful of his presence and authority. Negative emotions are dangerous: Anger, fear, and disrespect can have a significant impact on our relationships with God and others. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific biblical story or theme? Discuss what the message of this passage might be about in a broader context?