Definition: And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this biblical passage together! This verse is from Zechariah 9:6 and it speaks to a really important idea about judgment and restoration. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse isn’t about punishing individuals for being born into a bad situation. It’s about preventing a future problem – specifically, a lot of trouble and destruction – by addressing the root cause of it. Let’s unpack it word-by-word: “And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod…” This refers to the city of Ashdod. It's a place historically significant and located in Israel, known for being a bit troubled. “Bastard” means someone born outside of a legitimate family lineage – essentially, someone who isn’t rightfully part of a family. "...and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines." This is the crucial part. The "Philistses" are the people to the north of Israel (the Israelites). “Pride” here refers to a sense of arrogance, superiority, or excessive self-importance – something that can lead to conflict and hostility. “Cutting off the pride” means removing this characteristic that causes problems. Putting it all together – What does it mean? Zechariah is saying that something bad will happen in Ashdod (the city), and it’s going to be a bad situation . However, he's also promising that he (God) will take action to prevent this bad situation from happening. He’ll eliminate the source of the problem – the arrogance and pride of the Philistines – so that conflict isn't created. The Big Picture - It’s about Restoration & Justice: This verse is often interpreted as a prophecy of a time when there will be a period of great upheaval and suffering in Israel, but ultimately, God will restore peace and justice through his intervention. It speaks to a need for cleansing and renewal – removing the things that cause division and conflict so that everything can return to its proper place. Important Note: It’s a complex verse with layers of meaning, and different interpretations exist. But this core idea – preventing a problem by eliminating the root cause – is what makes it so significant. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss its historical context (where it comes from)? Talk about how it relates to other Bible stories?