Leviticus 26 40

Leviticus 26:40 kjv

If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;

Leviticus 26:40 nkjv

'But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, with their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, and that they also have walked contrary to Me,

Leviticus 26:40 niv

"?'But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors?their unfaithfulness and their hostility toward me,

Leviticus 26:40 esv

"But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers in their treachery that they committed against me, and also in walking contrary to me,

Leviticus 26:40 nlt

"But at last my people will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors for betraying me and being hostile toward me.

Leviticus 26 verses

Leviticus 26 40 Meaning

Leviticus 26:40 presents the conditional path for the Israelites to experience restoration after enduring the severe curses outlined in the chapter. It specifies that even in profound suffering and exile, God provides a way back if they genuinely confess their iniquity—including that of their ancestors—acknowledging their deep betrayal and persistent opposition to His covenant commands. This confession is presented as the vital key to reconciling with the Lord.

Leviticus 26 40 Context

Leviticus chapter 26 is a pivotal section within the book, acting as a solemn covenant ratification. It succinctly presents the blessings promised for obedience to God's commands (verses 3-13) and, conversely, the escalating curses for persistent disobedience (verses 14-39). The intensity of the curses culminates in descriptions of Israel's exile and the desolation of their land, portraying a complete breach of the covenant terms and the dire consequences thereof. Leviticus 26:40 appears amidst these severe judgments, providing a glimmer of hope. Despite the pronouncement of severe national calamity, God outlines a pathway for reconciliation. The verse precedes the ultimate promise of remembrance of His covenant (vv. 42-45), signifying that God's punitive justice is not an end in itself but a means to bring His people to repentance and restore their relationship with Him, even from the depths of their suffering.

Leviticus 26 40 Word analysis

• But if they confess (אַךְ יְבֹשׁוּ 'akh yēvošu):
  • אַךְ ('akh): "But, however." This particle introduces a crucial turning point, signaling a conditional hope or requirement despite previous harsh pronouncements. It implies a significant shift in perspective or potential outcome.
  • יְבֹשׁוּ (yēvošu): This verb, derived from יָדָה (yadah), means to "acknowledge," "give thanks," "praise," or "confess." In this context, it signifies a full, open, and often remorseful admission of guilt, distinct from a casual acknowledgement. It implies casting forth or laying bare their sins before God.
• their iniquity (עֲוֹנָם ʿāvōnām):
  • עֲוֹן ('avon): This Hebrew term denotes perversity, crookedness, guilt, or the punishment resulting from guilt. It refers to a moral deviation, an act or state of turning away from God's standard, highlighting the active perversion of character inherent in sin. It signifies both the trespass and the culpability.
• and the iniquity of their fathers (וַעֲוֹן אֲבֹתָם waʿavon ʾăvotām):
  • This phrase emphasizes a deep, pervasive, and generational pattern of sin, acknowledging a continuity of rebellion that has characterized the nation's history. It is a recognition of corporate responsibility for an inherited spiritual brokenness and a sustained tradition of disobedience, rather than an arbitrary punishment for sins individuals did not commit. It underscores how deeply ingrained disobedience became.
• in their treachery (בְּמַעֲלָם bəmaʿălām):
  • מַעַל (maʿal): Signifies unfaithfulness, trespass, or perfidy, particularly in violating a sacred trust or covenant. This highlights the covenantal dimension of their sin—an act of breaking faith or dealing treacherously with God Himself, the one to whom they were bound by a sacred agreement. It portrays a deep disloyalty.
• which they committed against Me (אֲשֶׁר מָעֲלוּ בִי ʾăšer maʿălu vī):
  • Explicitly states that their treacherous actions were directly against God. Their unfaithfulness and covenant violations were personal offenses against the Lord, highlighting the relational brokenness their sins caused.
• and also in walking contrary to Me (וְאַף כִּי הָלְכוּ עִמִּי בְקֶרִי wəʾap kī hālḵū ʿimmī bəqerī):
  • בְקֶרִי (bəqerī): A crucial and often-repeated term in Leviticus 26 (e.g., vv. 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 41). It describes a defiant, stubborn, or obstinate opposition. It goes beyond passive resistance to denote an active, hardened antagonism toward God's discipline, correction, and righteous demands. It illustrates a stiff-necked refusal to align with God’s will.
  • "Walking contrary to Me" portrays a persistent, defiant lifestyle where their choices and direction were continually set in opposition to God's path, emphasizing their persistent resistance to divine guidance and correction.

Leviticus 26 40 Bonus section

The concept of confessing the "iniquity of their fathers" does not imply that the current generation is inherently guilty of past sins they did not commit. Rather, it signifies recognizing the continuation of sinful patterns, traditions, and collective choices that began with previous generations and were perpetuated, accepted, or even deepened by the present generation. It acknowledges a shared historical narrative of disobedience and its compounding consequences. This collective confession highlights the covenantal solidarity of the nation before God. The pervasive use of bəqerī ("contrary," "stubbornness") in this chapter underscores God's exasperation with His people's willful and obstinate rebellion against His laws and disciplinary efforts. It signifies that their suffering was not accidental but a direct consequence of their determined resistance to divine wisdom and guidance. The presence of this verse within the severe curses reveals God's ultimate desire for reconciliation and restoration, demonstrating that even His judgment has a redemptive purpose, compelling His people toward humility and a renewed relationship.

Leviticus 26 40 Commentary

Leviticus 26:40 articulates a fundamental principle of divine restoration: that God's severe judgments, though formidable, are designed to humble His people and lead them back to Him. This verse pinpoints the essential prerequisite for this restoration: a profound and genuine confession. Such confession must be holistic, embracing not only their individual failures but also the deep-seated "iniquity of their fathers," acknowledging the cumulative weight and generational patterns of corporate unfaithfulness that contributed to their current plight. The "treachery" refers to their profound breach of the covenant, a betrayal of the sacred relationship established at Sinai. The repeated emphasis on their "walking contrary" to God speaks of their ingrained stubbornness and deliberate defiance against His loving correction. This attitude of opposition hardened their hearts against God's attempts to guide them toward obedience and blessing. The verse signifies that even in the midst of their worst punishment, God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant ensures a path back for His people, provided they embrace humility, honestly reckon with their sin, and turn back to Him with true repentance.