Leviticus 26 23

Leviticus 26:23 kjv

And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me;

Leviticus 26:23 nkjv

'And if by these things you are not reformed by Me, but walk contrary to Me,

Leviticus 26:23 niv

"?'If in spite of these things you do not accept my correction but continue to be hostile toward me,

Leviticus 26:23 esv

"And if by this discipline you are not turned to me but walk contrary to me,

Leviticus 26:23 nlt

"And if you fail to learn the lesson and continue your hostility toward me,

Leviticus 26 verses

Leviticus 26 23 Meaning

Leviticus 26:23 warns that if, despite the corrective measures and lesser judgments ("these things") already inflicted upon them, the people of Israel refuse to be disciplined and reformed by God, but instead continue to respond with a defiant, stubborn, and even contemptuous opposition towards Him, then His disciplinary actions will intensify dramatically. The verse underscores God's persistent patience, but also His unyielding determination to address unrepentant sin through increasingly severe consequences.

Leviticus 26 23 Context

Leviticus chapter 26 is a pivotal chapter, detailing the covenant between God and Israel, specifically outlining the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience. It serves as a stark warning as Israel stands on the verge of entering the Promised Land. This chapter functions as a conditional covenant: faithful adherence brings prosperity in the land, while apostasy leads to progressive calamities, exile, and desolation.

Verse 23 is situated within the extensive "curses" section (Lev 26:14-39), which describes intensifying stages of divine judgment. Preceding verses (26:14-22) detail the first set of punishments for breaking the covenant, including terrors, disease, famine, defeat by enemies, and a general loss of agricultural productivity. Verse 23 acts as a critical pivot point: it indicates that if Israel's heart remains hard despite these initial warnings and disciplines, and they continue their rebellious course, then God will escalate the judgments further, matching their growing "contrariness" with His intensified wrath. The entire chapter emphasizes God's sovereign hand in history, meticulously administering rewards and consequences based on the nation's faithfulness to His covenant.

Leviticus 26 23 Word analysis

• "And if" (וְאִם - ve'im): This conjunctive phrase introduces a further conditional scenario, directly connecting it to the preceding judgments and emphasizing God's patient yet deliberate step-by-step engagement with His people's choices.
• "ye will not be reformed" (לֹא-תִוָּסְרוּ - lo tivvasru):
  • The core Hebrew word is yasar (יסר), meaning to discipline, instruct, chasten, correct, or admonish.
  • Significance: This signifies that God's preceding actions ("these things") were intended as teaching moments, not merely random misfortune or arbitrary punishment. The people's failure is not just passive non-compliance, but an active rejection of God's educational discipline aimed at moral and spiritual amendment.
• "by me" (לִי - li): The preposition "li" indicates direct agency and source. The discipline, and thus the expected reformation, is divinely initiated and comes from God Himself, underscoring His sovereignty and purposefulness in all that befalls them.
• "by these things" (בְּאֵלֶּה - be'elleh): Refers directly to the afflictions already described in the preceding verses of the chapter (e.g., disease, loss of produce, defeat). This shows God's progressive dealing with their sin, starting with lighter forms of discipline before escalating.
• "but will walk contrary unto me" (וַהֲלַכְתֶּם עִמִּי קֶרִי - va'halaktem immi keri): This phrase is critical and multifaceted.
  • "walk" (הלך - halakh): A common biblical metaphor describing one's entire manner of life, conduct, or general course of action. It reflects the overall direction of one's obedience or disobedience.
  • "contrary unto me" (עִמִּי קֶרִי - immi keri):
    • קֶרִי (keri): This noun is unique to Leviticus 26 (occurring 7 times: vv. 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 40, 41) and literally denotes "contrary," "hostile," "stubborn," or "rebellious behavior." Its root (קרה - karah) often relates to "chance" or "meeting." Therefore, a profound meaning of keri in this context implies treating divine judgments as mere bad luck or random occurrences, rather than recognizing them as deliberate, purposeful acts of God intended for correction. It denotes a defiant, unyielding, almost contemptuous attitude towards God’s hand of discipline, treating His warnings as inconsequential or accidental.
    • The combined phrase immi keri translates literally to "with me contrariness" or "with me stubbornly," but conveys a powerful sense of walking against God in direct opposition to His will, especially in response to His attempts at discipline. It describes an active counter-motion to divine intent, reflecting utter spiritual stubbornness.

Words-group Analysis

• "And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things": This group of words emphasizes the redemptive purpose behind God's judgment. The "things" that afflict Israel are not random but instruments of divine instruction, orchestrated "by me" (God) to effect "reformation" in them. It reveals that God's initial intention is not to destroy, but to correct, making the people's subsequent refusal all the more grievous.
• "but will walk contrary unto me": This phrase describes the deep-seated spiritual issue. It portrays a persistent, defiant course of action that actively opposes God's efforts. The "walking contrary" reveals a hardened heart that fails to humble itself under God's discipline and instead chooses a path of increasing antagonism. This stubbornness elevates their guilt, triggering the next, harsher, cycle of judgment because it signifies contempt for the covenant and for the Disciplinarian Himself.

Leviticus 26 23 Bonus section

• The repetition of the term קֶרִי (keri) throughout Leviticus 26 (vv. 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 40, 41) underscores its profound theological significance. It points to a unique spiritual ailment of treating God’s purposeful actions (judgments, discipline) as random or merely coincidental ("by chance"), rather than as intentional divine interventions demanding a response of humility and repentance. This willful blindness or outright contempt provokes God's own "contrariness" (Lev 26:24, 28), where His disciplinary response matches their defiant attitude.
• This pattern of escalating judgments in response to increasing rebellion is a fundamental principle woven throughout the historical narrative and prophetic warnings of the Old Testament, from the book of Judges through the Major and Minor Prophets, ultimately leading to the exile. It illustrates that God's patience is immense, but not endless, and His discipline is always purposeful.
• While stern, this sequence of curses culminates in a promise of restoration (Lev 26:40-45) if the people eventually humble themselves, confess their iniquity, and acknowledge their "walking contrary" to God. This reveals God's ultimate desire is not to annihilate but to bring His people to genuine repentance and renewed covenant relationship.

Leviticus 26 23 Commentary

Leviticus 26:23 marks a crucial inflection point in God’s covenantal dealings. After God has already implemented preliminary stages of corrective judgment ("these things"), this verse addresses Israel’s response to such discipline. If, rather than submitting to God’s hand and allowing themselves to be "reformed" (which is the divine intent of the discipline), they choose to maintain a posture of defiant, stubborn "contrariness," God warns of further, intensified judgment. The unique and powerful Hebrew word keri emphasizes that this "walking contrary" is not merely passive disregard, but an active, persistent opposition that interprets God's deliberate discipline as arbitrary misfortune, thus failing to see His purpose and respond appropriately. It indicates a spiritual hardness that dismisses divine instruction and chides divine providence. God, being holy and just, must then escalate His actions to correspond with the escalating defiance of His people, illustrating the grave principle that stubbornness invites more severe divine interventions, ultimately for their restoration if they finally repent.