Leviticus 26 37

Leviticus 26:37 kjv

And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.

Leviticus 26:37 nkjv

They shall stumble over one another, as it were before a sword, when no one pursues; and you shall have no power to stand before your enemies.

Leviticus 26:37 niv

They will stumble over one another as though fleeing from the sword, even though no one is pursuing them. So you will not be able to stand before your enemies.

Leviticus 26:37 esv

They shall stumble over one another, as if to escape a sword, though none pursues. And you shall have no power to stand before your enemies.

Leviticus 26:37 nlt

Though no one is chasing you, you will stumble over each other as though fleeing from a sword. You will have no power to stand up against your enemies.

Leviticus 26 verses

Leviticus 26 37 Meaning

Leviticus 26:37 describes the severe consequences of disobedience to God’s covenant, specifically a state of debilitating fear and national paralysis. It foretells a chaotic panic among the Israelites, causing them to trip and fall over each other as if struck down by a visible sword, even when no enemy pursues them. This divinely induced terror will strip them of all power and courage, leaving them utterly incapable of resisting or standing firm against their foes. The verse illustrates a profound spiritual and psychological breakdown resulting in military and national impotence.

Leviticus 26 37 Context

Leviticus 26 constitutes a critical covenant section of the Law, outlining the blessings promised for obedience (Lev 26:3-13) and the curses warned for disobedience (Lev 26:14-39). This chapter is structured as a series of intensifying judgments. Verse 37 falls within the deepest levels of these curses, describing the ultimate consequences of sustained rebellion against God. The previous verses (Lev 26:33-36) detail the scattering of the people among the nations, the desolation of their land, and a general "faintness of heart." Verse 37 specifically highlights the internal, psychological warfare God will wage against His disobedient people, making their external defeat a mere consequence of their internal collapse. Historically, such conditions would manifest in invasions, sieges, and eventual exile, where the nation loses its military capacity and cohesion. The "sword" referred to isn't solely a physical weapon of an enemy but primarily the terror infused by God into their hearts, acting as a relentless, invisible pursuer.

Leviticus 26 37 Word analysis

• And they shall fall (וְנָפְלוּ - v'naflu): From the Hebrew verb נָפַל (naphal), meaning "to fall," "to lie prostrate," "to be cast down." This indicates a collapse, a loss of strength, a surrender, or even death. Here, it denotes utter defeat and demoralization, a dramatic and involuntary descent.

• one upon another (אִישׁ עַל-אָחִיו - ish al-achiv): Literally "a man upon his brother." This idiom powerfully depicts utter disarray, chaos, and a complete lack of military order or discipline. It speaks of individuals tripping over their compatriots in a frantic, uncoordinated retreat or panic, emphasizing a complete breakdown of cohesion and mutual support.

• as it were before a sword (כְּמִפְּנֵי חֶרֶב - kimipnei cherev): "As from the presence of a sword." The Hebrew חֶרֶב (cherev) signifies a literal sword or battle. Here, it is used metaphorically. They collapse as if pursued by a sword, implying the perceived presence of an unseen, lethal threat. This "sword" represents the internal terror and God's judgment, which is as real and incapacitating as a physical weapon.

• when none pursueth (וְאֵין רֹדֵף - w'ein rodeph): "And there is no pursuer." This is a crucial phrase, underscoring the irrationality and divine origin of the panic. There is no external military force actively chasing them, yet they behave as if in desperate flight. It points to a psychological warfare where God himself is the invisible cause of their fear and disorientation.

• and ye shall have no power (וְלֹא תִהְיֶה לָכֶם תְּקוּמָה - w'lo tih'yeh lachem tekumah): "And there will not be for you a standing (or rising up)." The Hebrew תְּקוּמָה (tekumah) signifies ability to stand, resilience, or a rising up in resistance. The lack of "tekumah" means complete incapacity to resist, to stand firm, or to recover. It highlights utter impotence and spiritual barrenness in the face of conflict.

• to stand before your enemies (לִפְנֵי אֹיְבֵיכֶם - lifnei oyeveichem): "Before the face of your enemies." This means facing them in battle or confrontation. Without "tekumah," they cannot even maintain a defensive stance, let alone engage in combat. This signifies absolute vulnerability and a complete loss of defensive capability, ultimately leading to their enemies gaining unchallenged victory.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth": This phrase paints a vivid picture of a self-defeating rout caused by supernatural panic. It's a complete inversion of typical warfare, where enemies cause the rout. Here, their own fear, divinely instilled, is the ultimate enemy. It suggests profound internal dissolution where people lose their senses and cooperative ability. This is God bringing psychological torment that renders a military force useless without even being touched.
  • "and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies": This signifies the crushing outcome of the divinely inflicted terror. The absence of strength and courage means they are utterly defenceless. This state reveals that military strength and national stability are ultimately contingent on God's favor and not on physical might alone. Without His enabling power, all human effort to resist external threats will fail.

Leviticus 26 37 Bonus section

This verse reveals God's precision in judgment; He doesn't merely permit defeat, but actively infuses a spirit of fear (a "faintness into their hearts" as per Lev 26:36) that causes a people to be their own undoing. This kind of judgment, impacting the mental and spiritual fortitude, highlights that true strength originates from God. It's not just a lack of military resources but an internal collapse of will and unity. This verse finds echoes throughout history where nations weakened from within by moral decay, corruption, and spiritual apostasy have crumbled against relatively weaker external pressures. It illustrates a key principle: God uses spiritual and psychological means as powerful tools of correction, aiming to humble His people and bring them back to Him, forcing a realization that reliance on anything other than Him leads to self-inflicted chaos and defeat.

Leviticus 26 37 Commentary

Leviticus 26:37 profoundly articulates the psychological dimension of divine judgment for national disobedience. Beyond physical afflictions and military defeat, God threatens to dismantle the very spirit of His people, replacing courage with paralyzing terror. The image of people falling over each other, frantic yet unpursued, demonstrates a terror that is internal, irrational, and far more debilitating than any external threat. It underscores God's sovereign control not just over circumstances but over the human heart and mind. This breakdown in morale leads directly to military incompetence, where a once-mighty nation becomes utterly helpless against its foes, losing all "power to stand." The passage serves as a powerful warning: true national security and individual well-being are found not in military prowess or numerical superiority, but in faithful covenant relationship with the Almighty God. When that relationship is broken through persistent sin, the protective hand of God is removed, and even invisible terrors become their undoing, leaving them vulnerable to both known and unseen adversaries.