Definition: And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It's a pretty dramatic and symbolic passage about the end times. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a city – we’ll call it “the Great City” – that was incredibly wealthy and powerful but is about to be destroyed. It’s expressing intense sorrow and regret. Let's unpack the details: “And they cast dust on their heads…” : This is a symbolic action. Dust represents the loss of everything – wealth, power, reputation, and even life itself. “…and cried, weeping and wailing…” : This shows the deep pain and despair of those who are witnessing this destruction. It’s not just sadness; it's a heartbroken lament. “Saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness!” : This is the core of the message. The “great city” was built on trade and commerce – it was a wealthy, bustling place with lots of ships sailing to it. "Made rich" means it was prosperous through trading goods across vast distances. “By reason of her costliness” means its wealth came from being expensive, requiring a lot of effort and resources to acquire. The phrase "that great city" is emphasizing the importance of this place in biblical history. “For in one hour is she made desolate.” : This is the crucial part. "One hour" refers to a very short period – a single hour. This means that this city will be destroyed almost instantly, completely and utterly. It's not a slow decline; it’s a sudden end. What does this mean for us today? The Bible often uses imagery of destruction to warn us about the future. This verse is telling us: God sees things that are unjust: It suggests God is watching over humanity and recognizes that some things – particularly those built on greed or unfair trade – will eventually crumble. We should be careful with our dealings: It's a call to be mindful of the consequences of our actions, especially when it comes to wealth and power. Don’t let yourself become overly focused on material gain at the expense of ethical behavior. In essence, this verse is a warning about the potential for great things to come to an end. It's a reminder that even the most impressive accomplishments can be reversed if they are based on wrong or excessive practices. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Relate this verse to other Bible stories? Discuss what it might symbolize in a broader context (like the end times)?