Leviticus 26 29

Leviticus 26:29 kjv

And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat.

Leviticus 26:29 nkjv

You shall eat the flesh of your sons, and you shall eat the flesh of your daughters.

Leviticus 26:29 niv

You will eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters.

Leviticus 26:29 esv

You shall eat the flesh of your sons, and you shall eat the flesh of your daughters.

Leviticus 26:29 nlt

Then you will eat the flesh of your own sons and daughters.

Leviticus 26 verses

Leviticus 26 29 Meaning

This verse describes an extreme and horrific consequence of persistent covenant unfaithfulness by the people of Israel: in their utter desperation and starvation resulting from divine judgment, parents would be reduced to eating the flesh of their own children. It represents the apex of the curses pronounced in Leviticus 26, signifying the complete breakdown of society, natural affection, and basic humanity due to God's severe chastisement.

Leviticus 26 29 Context

This verse is located within the covenant curses of Leviticus chapter 26, which outlines the consequences for Israel's obedience (blessings, vv. 3-13) and disobedience (curses, vv. 14-45) to the Lord. Verse 29 represents the crescendo of these curses, signaling the ultimate degradation and desolation that would befall the Israelites if they persisted in rejecting God's statutes and covenants. Historically, extreme famine and cannibalism were known outcomes of prolonged sieges in the ancient Near East, making this threat horrifyingly real and comprehensible to the original audience. This severe judgment underscored God's commitment to His covenant and His holy nature, demonstrating that turning away from Him would lead to a reversal of all natural order and protection. It served as a stark warning, particularly as a polemic against the supposed security offered by pagan deities or reliance on foreign alliances, proving that only the Lord truly governs life, provision, and societal stability.

Leviticus 26 29 Word analysis

• And you shall eat: Hebrew: וַאֲכַלְתֶּם (va'akhaltem). The verb is in the Qal perfect consecutive form, denoting a sure and definite future outcome. It's not a possibility or suggestion, but a terrifying certainty in the progression of escalating curses. The root אָכַל (akal), "to eat," is used here in its most primal, desperate sense, starkly contrasting with God's provision of food and abundance for obedience.

• the flesh: Hebrew: בְּשַׂר (basar). This term refers to "meat" or "body/flesh." Its use here emphasizes the horrific reality of cannibalism, not merely a metaphorical act. It directly implicates the physical body of a child, the object of parental nurture and protection.

• of your sons: Hebrew: בְּנֵיכֶם (b'neykhem). This literally means "your sons" (masculine plural, possessive). Sons were highly valued in ancient society as inheritors and perpetuators of the family line. The idea of consuming them attacks the very foundation of the family unit and legacy. It signifies the ultimate deprivation and the breakdown of paternal instinct.

• and you shall eat: Repetition of the verb for emphasis and certainty. This parallel structure reinforces the severity and encompasses all offspring.

• the flesh of your daughters: Hebrew: בְּנוֹתֵיכֶם (b'noteykhem). This literally means "your daughters" (feminine plural, possessive). Including daughters highlights the complete and indiscriminate nature of the judgment, showing that no member of the family, no matter how tender or protected, would be exempt from this horrific fate brought about by severe famine.

• Words-group analysis: "eat the flesh of your sons, and... eat the flesh of your daughters." This parallelism vividly portrays the ultimate perversion of familial love and natural order. The parents, who are biologically and spiritually meant to nourish and protect their offspring, are driven by desperate hunger to consume them. This demonstrates a complete reversal of divine design and human compassion, highlighting the extreme level of suffering and moral degradation that results when a people definitively abandon God's covenant. It represents the utter collapse of societal structures, human morality, and even natural instinct, brought about by God's escalating judgment against persistent rebellion.

Leviticus 26 29 Bonus section

The concept presented in Lev 26:29, while horrifying, serves multiple layers of theological significance. It showcases God's commitment to justice; the consequences of covenant breach are proportional and devastating, demonstrating that God is not to be trifled with. Furthermore, it highlights the extreme depravity and desperation that result from ultimate abandonment of divine order – societal collapse, famine, and war are all consequences that lead to humanity being pushed to its most primal and unnatural state. This level of horror acts as a profound deterrent, underscoring the preciousness of God's sustaining hand and the terrifying alternative when His blessing is withdrawn. It's a testament to the fact that all life, sustenance, and moral order flow from Him, and deliberate rejection leads to ultimate chaos.

Leviticus 26 29 Commentary

Leviticus 26:29 serves as a terrifying pinnacle in the sequence of divine curses, illustrating the ultimate degradation that befalls a people who reject God's covenant entirely. It is not an arbitrary act of cruelty but a righteous judgment designed to impress upon Israel the absolute gravity of unfaithfulness. The thought of parents eating their own children transcends mere physical suffering; it represents the utter collapse of every natural bond and moral fiber within society. This verse underscores God's holiness and His commitment to His covenant. When His chosen people abandon His statutes, the very fabric of their existence—from fruitful land to family integrity—unravels under His hand. The literal fulfillment of this curse, documented during sieges in Israel's history, testifies to the unwavering truth and severity of God's prophetic warnings when met with obstinate disobedience. It stands as a profound reminder of the dire consequences of neglecting God's righteous requirements and highlights that the most sacred relationships can be desecrated under the weight of divine wrath for severe sin.