Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 26

Verse 1

Ye refers to any Israelites sold to heathen masters, who hence were in danger of being tempted to idolatry, while in this servitude.

idols = non-entities. Heb, 'elilim = clay or terra cotta "gods". Compare 1 Corinthians 8:4 . Occurs only once more in Pentateuch, Leviticus 19:4 .

graven image. Hebrew. pesel , an idol of wood or stone.

standing image. Hebrew. Mazzebah, a sacred pillar. In Genitive always "pillar". Compare Leviticus 26:30 .

image of stone. Hebrew. maskith, a sculptured or painted stone. Compare Leviticus 26:30 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 3

If. Then. Note the four occurrences of "If" and "Then" in this chapter.

Verse 4

Then. See note on "If", Leviticus 26:3 above.

rain. Hebrew rains: i.e. the early and latter rains. Deuteronomy 11:14 ; Deuteronomy 28:12 .Jeremiah 14:22 .Deuteronomy 32:2 .Psalms 72:6 .

increase = produce, sustenance. Heb yebul. See notes on Leviticus 25:7 ; Leviticus 25:36 .

Verse 6

peace, or prosperity.

rid evil beasts. Compare Ezekiel 34:25 , Ezekiel 34:28 .

Verse 7

enemies = foes. First occurrence in Leviticus.

Verse 8

five. See App-10 , this promise enlarged in Deuteronomy 32:30 . Joshua 23:10 . Compare 2 Samuel 23:8 , 2Sa 23:18 . 1 Chronicles 11:11 , 1 Chronicles 11:18 . Isaiah 30:17 .

Verse 9

have respect = turn unto you, as rendered in Ezekiel 46:9 ; the only other place where this form occurs.

Verse 11

tabernacle = habitation. Hebrew. mishkan. App-40 .

My soul = Myself, or I. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 12

walk. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia, App-6 ; or, literally, as in Eden. See Genesis 3:8 . App-4 . Quoted 2 Corinthians 6:16 .

Verse 13

broken broken in pieces. Hebrew. shabar, as in verses: Leviticus 26:19 , Leviticus 26:26 ; not parar, as in verses: Leviticus 26:15 , Leviticus 26:24 .

upright. The yoke makes the wearer stoop. The above structure shows God's fivefold threatening for disobedience. We have the fivefold execution in Isaiah 5:25 ; Isaiah 9:12 , Isaiah 9:17 , Isaiah 9:21 ; Isaiah 10:4 ; and His fivefold lamentation in Amos 4:6-12 .

Verse 15

your soul = you (emphatic). Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

break = violate. Hebrew. parar, break asunder, as in Leviticus 26:46 ; not shabar, as in verses: Leviticus 26:13 , Leviticus 26:19 , Leviticus 26:26 .

Verse 16

burning ague. Probably = fever.

consume the eyes = causing the sight to fail.

heart = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 17

face. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

reign = rule.

Verse 18

sins. Hebrew, plural of 'avon. App-44 .

Verse 19

of. Genitive of cause, the power being the cause of the pride = your great pride. Compare Ezekiel 30:6 . So Ezekiel 24:21 , where the sense is lost in Authorized Version by the rendering "the excellency of your strength".

Verse 20

of the land. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint, read "of the field".

Verse 21

contrary. First occurrence, and only in this chapter (seven times).

Verse 22

wild beasts. These abounded in Palestine. (Deuteronomy 32:24 . 2 Kings 17:25 .Isaiah 13:21 , Isaiah 13:22 .Ezekiel 14:10 , &c.)

Verse 25

And I = I also.

gathered together = withdrawn or escaped to (compare Jeremiah 21:6-9 . Ezekiel 5:12 ; Ezekiel 7:15 ).

Verse 26

broken the staff of your bread. Figure of speech Metalepsis ( App-6 ), bread being put for the support it gives, and staff which it is; and the breaking of the staff put for the cutting off the supply. Compare Isaiah 3:1 .Ezekiel 4:16 ; Ezekiel 5:16 ; Ezekiel 14:13 .Psalms 105:16 .

ten. Supply Ellipsis ( App-6 ) by supplying the word "then" = then ten: i.e. one oven shall be sufficient for ten families. Compare 2 Kings 6:28 , 2 Kings 6:29 .

Verse 30

high places: used for idolatrous worship (Numbers 22:41 ; Numbers 33:52 .Deuteronomy 12:2 .Joshua 13:17 (margin). Thus showing the helplessness of the gods worshipped.

images . Hebrew. hammanim, sun-idols. Compare Leviticus 26:1 . 2 Chronicles 34:4 . This was prophetic.

carcases. Figure of speech Catachresis. App-6 . Another prophecy, See 2 Kings 23:20 . 2 Chronicles 34:5 .

idols = logs of wood. Hebrew. gallulim, trunks, blocks, used in derision for idols. Also derived from galal = dung, or detestable thing. First occurrence; frequently in Ezekiel.

My soul. Hebrew. nephesh . App-13 . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 . This is the converse of verse Leviticus 26:11 .

Verse 31

sanctuaries , or holy places. Some codices, with one printed edition, Samaritan Pentateuch, and Syriac, read the singular "sanctuary".

smell. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

odours. Compare Isaiah 11:3 (margin).

Verse 32

I. Emphatic = I myself.

Verse 33

heathen = nations.

Verse 34

enjoy. Figure of speech Prosopopatheia. App-6 . Compare Leviticus 18:25 .

Verse 35

rest. Figure of speech Prosopopatheia. App-6 . Compare Jeremiah 34:17 . 2 Chronicles 36:21 .

Verse 39

iniquity = perversity. Hebrew " avah , App-44 .

Verse 40

If they shall confess. This is the one abiding condition for national blessing and restoration.

trespass . . . trespassed. Hebrew. maal. App-44 .

Verse 41

walked. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 42

Jacob. This is the only place where the order of the three Patriarchs is inverted.

Verse 43

their soul = they. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 44

when, &c. Compare Deuteronomy 4:31 . 2 Kings 13:23 .Romans 11:1 , Romans 11:2 , Romans 11:28 , Romans 11:29 .

I am the LORD. Compare Psalms 144:15 ; Psalms 33:12 .

Verse 46

children. Hebrew sons.

in mount Sinai: thus concluding with the words with which this section began in Leviticus 25:1 .