Leviticus 26 18

Leviticus 26:18 kjv

And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.

Leviticus 26:18 nkjv

'And after all this, if you do not obey Me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.

Leviticus 26:18 niv

"?'If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over.

Leviticus 26:18 esv

And if in spite of this you will not listen to me, then I will discipline you again sevenfold for your sins,

Leviticus 26:18 nlt

"And if, in spite of all this, you still disobey me, I will punish you seven times over for your sins.

Leviticus 26 verses

Leviticus 26 18 Meaning

Leviticus 26:18 conveys a profound truth about God's covenant relationship with His people: should His previous warnings and initial chastisements for disobedience be ignored, He will intensify His judgment upon them. The "sevenfold more" signifies a greatly increased measure or severity of divine punishment, commensurate with their continued and hardened rebellion against His commands. This escalating consequence aims to bring His people to repentance by demonstrating the serious nature of their persistent sin.

Leviticus 26 18 Context

Leviticus 26 details the solemn terms of the covenant between God and the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. It serves as a comprehensive summary of the blessings that flow from obedience to God's commandments and the curses that inevitably follow disobedience. This chapter outlines escalating levels of divine judgment. Verses 14-17 describe the initial phase of punishments (terror, wasting disease, economic hardship, defeat by enemies). Verse 18 marks the beginning of the second cycle of escalated judgment. It warns that if even these initial afflictions do not lead to repentance, God's hand of discipline will become significantly heavier. This passage reinforces the idea that God actively participates in His covenant, bringing both reward for faithfulness and discipline for rebellion. The historical context is a people newly freed from slavery, about to enter a land where they are to live distinctively as God's holy nation, contrasting sharply with the idolatrous nations around them, who often believed in capricious gods or no moral consequences for their actions.

Leviticus 26 18 Word analysis

• And if: Hebrew wə’im (וְאִם). This conjunction introduces a conditional statement, indicating a clear choice and consequence. It ties directly to the preceding warnings, signaling that what follows is a further action if the prior actions were ignored.
• in spite of this: Refers to the preceding threats and punishments mentioned in Lev 26:14-17. It highlights the continued, unyielding nature of the people's disobedience, implying that God's initial warnings and light discipline have not been effective.
• you will not listen: Hebrew lo’ tishmə’u (לֹא תִשְׁמְעוּ). The verb shāmaʿ (שָׁמַע) means more than just "to hear"; it encompasses "to heed," "to obey," "to pay attention," and "to understand." In this context, it emphasizes the intentional and willful refusal to obey God's voice and commandments, even after experiencing initial consequences. It is a rebellion of the will.
• to me: ʾēlay (אֵלַי). This directly personalizes the rebellion. It is not just about abstract laws, but a direct rejection of the Divine Lawgiver Himself, challenging His authority and sovereignty.
• then I will punish you: Hebrew yāsaphtî līyassēr (יָסַפְתִּי לְיַסֵּר).
  • Yāsaphtî: "I will add" or "I will continue." Implies an increase or intensification of what has already begun.
  • Lîyassēr: From yāsar (יָסַר), meaning "to discipline," "to instruct," "to correct," and by extension, "to punish." This verb often carries the nuance of corrective action, even though severe. God's purpose is not merely destructive but redemptive – to bring them to repentance.
• sevenfold more: Hebrew shevaʿ ‘al (שֶׁבַע עַל). This is a critical phrase. The number seven in Hebrew thought often symbolizes completeness, perfection, or fullness. In contexts of judgment or curses, it denotes a full, severe, or intense measure. It doesn't necessarily mean "seven specific new punishments" but rather that the intensity, duration, or totality of the discipline will be greatly increased—seven times in magnitude or in effect. It is a hyperbolically severe punishment, corresponding to the "completeness" of their prior disregard.
• for your sins: Hebrew ʿal ḥaṭṭō’têkhem (עַל חַטֹּאתֵיכֶם). Ḥaṭṭā’âh (חַטָּאָה) means "sin," "trespass," "offense," or "guilt." It indicates that the punishment is not arbitrary but directly linked to and a just consequence of their specific acts of disobedience and moral failing. The intensified punishment is directly proportionate to the intensified or persistent nature of their sin.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And if in spite of this you will not listen to me": This phrase highlights the critical juncture. "In spite of this" refers to the prior judgments. It reveals the Israelites' stubborn refusal to respond to God's initial warnings and disciplines, signifying a hardened heart and deliberate choice of rebellion over obedience. This persistent insubordination makes further, more severe intervention necessary.
• "then I will punish you sevenfold more for your sins": This is God's unwavering response to that persistent rebellion. "I will punish you" underscores God's active involvement and just judgment. "Sevenfold more" emphasizes the escalation of discipline to an intense and comprehensive degree, ensuring the severity of the consequence matches the gravity of their stubborn sin. The phrase "for your sins" reaffirms the moral basis of the judgment; it is a direct consequence of their unfaithfulness and rebellion against the covenant.

Leviticus 26 18 Bonus section

The concept of "sevenfold" punishment is not limited to physical affliction but also extends to spiritual and relational estrangement from God's presence and blessings. It represents a total or complete reversal of the promised blessings for obedience, covering all aspects of their national and personal life. While the immediate context speaks to Israel, the principle resonates across salvation history, including the New Testament. God's discipline, whether light or heavy, always aims for restoration, though the path to it may be painful due to our stubbornness. This verse acts as a strong polemic against the pagan notion that deities are distant or indifferent to human morality, portraying YHWH as an active, just, and morally engaged sovereign who holds His covenant partners accountable.

Leviticus 26 18 Commentary

Leviticus 26:18 reveals a fundamental aspect of God's relationship with humanity: His patience is profound, but His justice is unyielding. This verse serves as a crucial turning point within the covenant curses, marking an escalation in divine judgment. It demonstrates that God's initial disciplinary measures are meant to be redemptive, drawing His people back to Him. However, if those gentle promptings and early chastisements are met with persistent, defiant unbelief and disobedience—a refusal to "listen" or obey His word—then the consequences will intensify "sevenfold." This intensification signifies not merely an increase in quantity of affliction, but a deeper, more pervasive, and complete form of suffering designed to shatter their stubborn resistance and expose the severity of their unrepentant sin. The ultimate goal, as revealed later in the chapter, remains the repentance and restoration of His people, but only after they have truly felt the bitter fruit of their persistent rebellion. It serves as a stern warning that delaying repentance only leads to graver suffering.