Definition: And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Zechariah 12:3. It's a really powerful and somewhat dramatic prediction about the future. Here's a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse warns that in the future, Jerusalem (which is often seen as the center of Jewish history and faith) will become incredibly difficult to live in and will be used as a target for conflict and division across the entire world. Let’s unpack it word by word: “And in that day…” : This sets up a future event – a specific time in the future. “…will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone…” : This is the core of the message. Jerusalem isn't just a city; it represents a whole community, a nation, and a religious center for Jews. It’s being described as something that will cause suffering . A “stone” suggests hardness, difficulty, and pain. “…for all people…” : This means this hardship won’t be limited to just the Jewish people; it’ll affect everyone on earth. “…all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces…” : This is a crucial part. It implies that people will actively and persistently try to make Jerusalem difficult – to cause problems, to disrupt it, to use it as a target. “Cut in pieces” suggests destruction and devastation. “…though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.” : This is the unsettling part. It highlights a huge, global effort to attack Jerusalem. “Gathered together” means many different nations, empires, and groups are working towards a common goal – to defeat or destroy this one place. Overall Meaning & Interpretation: The verse speaks of a time when the world will be intensely focused on destroying Jerusalem. It’s a warning about potential conflict and division that could have devastating consequences for everyone. It suggests a future where the effort to conquer or harm Jerusalem will become so widespread and intense that it becomes almost impossible to stop. Important Note: This is often interpreted as a prophecy of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, which occurred in 586 BCE. However, theologians have debated this interpretation for centuries. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a religious scholar. This explanation is based on common interpretations of biblical texts and should be viewed as one perspective. Different people may interpret the verse differently. Would you like me to: Explain another part of Zechariah 12? Discuss the historical context of this verse? Explore different theological interpretations of it?