Levítico 26
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Levítico 26
NJB (MT versing) Blessings for Obedience Promise of Blessing and Retribution The Two Ways Blessings for Obedience Summary: Conclusion 26:1-13 26:1-2 (1-2) 26:1-2 26:1-2 26:1-2 Blessings 26:3-13 (3-13) 26:3-13 26:3-5 26:3-5 26:6-13 26:6-8 26:9 26:10 26:11-13 Penalties of Disobedience Punishment for Disobedience Curses 26:14-20 26:14-17 (14-17) 26:14-20 26:14-17 26:14-16a 26:16b-17 26:18-20 (18-20) 26:18-20 26:18-20 26:21-22 26:21-22 (21-22) 26:21-22 26:21-22 26:21-22 26:23-26 26:23-26 (23-26) 26:23-26 26:23-26 26:23-26 26:27-33 26:27-35 (27-35) 26:27-33 26:27-35 26:27-39 26:34-39 26:34-39 26:36-39 (36-39) 26:36-39 26:40-45 26:40-45 (40-45) 26:40-45 26:40-45 26:40 26:41-42 26:43 26:44-45 26:46 26:46 26:46 26:46 26:46 Etc. BACKGROUND STUDY Leviticus 26 seems to reflect the structure of Hittite Suzerain treaties of the second millennium B.C. See SPECIAL TOPIC: HITTITE (SUZERAIN) TREATIES. The same type of pattern can be seen in the book of Deuteronomy and Joshua 24. The outline of chapter 26 is as follows: the blessings, Lev. 26:1-13 the cursings, Lev. 26:14-39 the possibility of restitution, Lev. 26:40-46 The "blessing" and "cursing" pattern is also repeated in Deuteronomy 27-28. Remember, the Mosaic Covenant is a conditional covenant (cf. Exod. 19:5-6; 23:22; see SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT). Blessing follows obedience (see SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP). However, disobedience brings judgment. Actions have consequences in time and eternity (i.e., the Two Ways of Wisdom Literature, cf. Deut. 30:15,19; Psalm 1; Gal. 6:7). For an ANE historical perspective on treaty conditions, see D. Brent Sandy, Plowshares and Pruning Hooks, chapter 4, "How Does the Language of Destruction and Blessing Work?" pp. 73-128. Chapter 26 seems to conclude the book of Leviticus, while chapter 27 is a miscellaneous appendix on vows.
Levítico 26:1-13
26:1 "idols" This verse lists four kinds of idolatry. idols (BDB 47, cf. Lev. 19:4) image (BDB 820, cf. Exod. 20:4) sacred pillar (BDB 663, cf. Exod. 23:24; 34:13) figured stones (BDB 67 CONSTRUCT BDB 967, found only here; see PLURAL in Num. 33:52) The very fact that all of these different types of idolatry are mentioned shows that Israel had been affected by her neighbors even at this early stage. This chapter reflects part of the Ten Commandments (cf. Exod. 20:3-6). They must worship YHWH alone! ▣ "I am the Lord your God" This is covenant language, found so often in the Pentateuch. It has the two most common names for Israel's Deity. Lord = YHWH, see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D God = Elohim, see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C In this chapter it is repeated in vv. 1, 2, 13, 44, 45. 26:2 "keep My sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary" This relates to Exod. 20:7-11. Taking God's name in vain involved worship at the sanctuary. The VERB "keep" is IMPERFECT but used in an IMPERATIVE sense. See SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP. 26:3 "if. . ." This section shows the conditional and unconditional elements of every Old Testament covenant. God always comes to man with unconditional promises but man is expected to respond in covenant terms (cf. Deuteronomy 27; 28; Joshua 8; 24). It is interesting that the "if. . .then" section of vv. 1-13 is followed by "if you do not. . ." in vv. 14ff. See SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT. ▣ "statutes. . .commandments" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION. 26:4-13 This is the "blessing" component of the Mosaic Covenant. rain in its season for abundant crops, Lev. 26:4-5,10; Deut. 28:12 security in your land, Lev. 26:5-6 invaders, Lev. 26:7-8 wild beasts health and growth of the people, Lev. 26:9 security with YHWH's presence, Lev. 26:11-13 YHWH will dwell with them, Lev. 26:11a YHWH will not reject them, Lev. 26:11b YHWH will walk among them, Lev. 26:12 YHWH's past acts reveal His character is gracious His power is unstoppable His promises are sure 26:4 "I will give you rains in their seasons" YHWH was always the giver of agricultural blessings but somehow the Israelis began worshiping Ba'al as the source of fertility. See SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE. 26:5 This verse is imagery to express an abundant crop. Before one harvest time is finished another will start. 26:6 "peace" See SPECIAL TOPIC: PEACE (shalom). 26:8 "five" This is not normally a symbolic number. See NIDOTTE, vol. 2, pp. 190-191. 26:9 "I will confirm My covenant with you" The VERB (BDB 877, KB 1086, Hiphil PERFECT with waw) basically means "to arise," "to stand up," but in the Hiphil it takes on the meaning "to establish" or "to ratify" (cf. Gen. 6:18; 9:9,11; 17:19,21; Exod. 6:4; Ezek. 16:62). 26:11 "I will make My dwelling among you. . .I will also walk among you" The greatest promise that God can give is His presence (cf. Exod. 25:8). This was symbolically represented by the Tabernacle and particularly the ark of the covenant. See SPECIAL TOPIC: ARK OF THE COVENANT. The uncial MS B and the LXX have "covenant" instead of "tabernacle with" or "dwelling place." ▣ NASB, NJB "reject" NKJV, NRSV, LXX, Peshitta "abhor" "turn away from" JPSOA, REB "spurn" The MT has the VERB "abhor" or "loathe" (BDB 171, KB 199, Qal IMPERFECT). This word occurs several times in this chapter. YHWH's rejection of His people, Lev. 26:11,30,44 Israel's rejection of Him, Lev. 26:15,43 The Hebrew root can denote (NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 883): consider something or someone as "dung" consider something or someone as "spoiled food"; the same imagery (i.e., different root, BDB 596, KB 628) is found twice in Lev. 26:39 (i.e., "rot") ▣ "My soul" This is nephesh (BDB 659). See full note online at Ezek. 18:4. 26:12 "I will walk among you" This is literally "walk to and fro" (BDB 229, KB 246, Hithpael PERFECT with waw). This idiom is also found in this same form in Gen. 3:8, for God's presence in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve before the fall. The VERB "walk" is also found in the Qal stem several times (Lev. 26:3, 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 40, 41). "walk" as lifestyle obedience, Lev. 26:3 (used of the Patriarch's walk of faith in Gen. 5:22,24; 6:9; 17:1; 24:40; 48:15) "walk" as imagery of YHWH's presence (i.e., Gen. 3:8), Lev. 26:12 (cf. Deut. 23:4) act with hostility toward YHWH, Lev. 26:21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 40, 41 ▣ "and be your God, and you shall be My people" This is covenant terminology (cf. Gen. 17:7; 26:24; Exod. 6:7; Jer. 7:23; 11:4). Israel was YHWH's special people (cf. Exod. 19:5-6; 1 Kgs. 8:51-53). 26:13 "who brought you out of the land of Egypt" This is a regular part of Hittite Suzerain treaties where the historical acts were given of the king who was making the covenant. The exodus was God's great act of grace to the Hebrew people (cf. Gen. 15:12-22). See SPECIAL TOPIC: HITTITE (SUZERAIN) TREATIES. ▣ "made you walk erect" This is an idiom for slaves walking with heads up, as free people. No longer are they bent over under the yoke of slavery.
Levítico 26:14-20
26:14-39 These are the negative consequences related to covenant disobedience (i.e., Lev. 26:14-15). YHWH will give them sudden terror (cf. Ps. 78:33; Isa. 65:23; Jer. 15:8) consumption (only here and Deut. 28:22) fever (only here and Deut. 28:22) (1) affect the eyes (2) cause the soul to pine away their enemies will occupy their land and eat their crops (cf. Deut. 28:22,27) they will be struck down by their enemies YHWH uses the idiom of "punish you seven times more for your sins" (cf. Lev. 26:18,21,24,25; see SPECIAL TOPIC: SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE, #4) YHWH will destroy their pride no rain, Lev. 26:19 (cf. Deut. 28:12,23-24) no crops, Lev. 26:20 YHWH sends a plague, Lev. 26:21 (cf. Deut. 28:61) YHWH will loose the wild beasts, Lev. 26:22 (opposite of Ps. 107:38) kill children kill livestock the land given to them by YHWH will be taken by invaders Israeli cities will be besieged and pestilence will result (NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 915, suggests "bubonic plague" because of 1 Samuel 5-6) YHWH will take away their agricultural blessing Israelis besieged in cities will eat their own children, Lev. 26:29 (cf. Deut. 28:53-57) Israeli idolatry (Lev. 26:1) will be completely destroyed, Lev. 26:30-32 Israelis will be taken into captivity, Lev. 26:33 (cf. Deut. 28:36-37, 63-64) the few who remain YHWH brings weakness to their hearts, Lev. 26:36 they are terrified and skittish they will "rot away" (BDB 596, KB 628, twice) 26:18, 21, 23, 27 "If also after these things" The judgments listed here which would fall upon God's people were meant to be disciplinary, not just punitive (cf. Heb. 12:5ff). He wants them to repent and return (cf. Lev. 26:40-45). 26:19 NASB, NRSV, NJB, REB "sky" NKJV, Peshitta "heavens" This is the Hebrew word "heavens" (BDB 1029). It was viewed as a hard dome over the earth. See SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVEN (OT). It had windows to let out rain or to store it up. A good parallel to this imagery is Deut. 28:23; no rain, no plowing.
Levítico 26:21-22
26:21 "act" (literally in Hebrew: �walk�) This is biblical imagery for lifestyle attitudes and actions (cf. Lev. 26:21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 40, 41).
Levítico 26:23-26
26:23 This verse clearly shows that the purpose of YHWH's judgments is restoration. YHWH desires a people who reflect His character to a pagan world. 26:25-26 In the OT there are three things that YHWH sends as judgment (i.e., 1 Chr. 21:11-12; 2 Chr. 20:9). the sword (i.e., warfare, invasion) pestilence (i.e., disease normally from a siege) famine (no stored foodstuffs, nor growing crops, cf. Ps. 105:16) Often the "wild beasts" are mentioned as returning! 26:26 "staff of bread" In the OT, this Hebrew NOUN (BDB 641), which means a part of a tree from which a staff, rod, or scepter is made, has several meanings. a way of referring to a tribe Moses' shepherd staff or rod, which was a symbol of YHWH's power Aaron's tribal banner pole a metaphor for that which the outstretched arm gives; here it refers to bread rations (cf. Ps. 105:16; Ezek. 4:16; 5:16; 14:13) scepter (cf. Ezek. 19:11) wooden carrier of bread (NIDOTTE, vol. 4, p. 38)
Levítico 26:27-33
26:29 "you will eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters" This refers to siege warfare where cannibalism and disease were rampant (cf. 2 Kgs. 6:28-29; Lam. 2:20). 26:30 "high places" This is the characteristic place of Ba'al worship (cf. Hos. 4:11-14; Jer. 3:6-10). Connected with the uplifted stone, which was the symbol of Ba'al, was also either a live, planted tree or a carved stake which was a symbol of Ashtoreth (cf. Deut. 7:5; 12:3; 16:21). We also learn from this chapter about the incense altars which were connected with the Ba'al altars (cf. 2 Chr. 34:4,7). See SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP IN THE ANE. ▣ "My soul shall abhor you" This chapter must be viewed in anthropomorphic terms. The author is attributing human emotions to Deity. See SPECIAL TOPIC: ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE DEITY. Notice the number of "I's" in this chapter (similar to Ezek. 36:22-36). 26:31 "I will not smell your soothing aromas" This is a metaphor of God receiving their sacrifices. As the smoke from the altar arose it went symbolically before God. See SPECIAL TOPIC: A SOOTHING AROMA. 26:32-33 This is a specific reference to the exile, which would occur if they practiced the same abomination as the Canaanites did (cf. Gen. 15:12-22). We know from history that this is exactly what happened to the northern ten tribes by Assyria in 722 B.C. and to Judah by Babylon in 586 B.C. 26:32 One VERB (BDB 1030, KB 1663) is used in two senses. Hiphil = "be desolate" Qal = "be appalled"
Levítico 26:34-39
26:34-35 Notice the personification of the land of Canaan. It will enjoy the sabbaths promised it in chapter 25. 26:36-37 There are two possible groups: (1) those who remained in the land and (2) those who remain alive in exile. 26:39 There are two very specific reasons why exile and fear will come upon the people of God. because of their iniquity because of their fathers' iniquity This same dichotomy is also represented in Lev. 26:40. Confession will involve personal sin as well as corporate sin.
Levítico 26:40-45
26:40 "If" The Hebrew text does not have the conditional textual marker (but there is, in 26:41), but there is an obvious contrast between Lev. 26:14-39 and 26:40-45. However, the JPSOA starts a new paragraph at verse 39 (Lev. 26:39-42). It assumes the necessary repentance is expected, not conditional. ▣ "confess" This VERB (BDB 392, KB 389, Hithpael PERFECT with waw) has two connotations in this stem. confess sin connected to guilt offering, Lev. 5:5; Num. 5:2 High Priest on the Day of Atonement, Lev. 16:2 leaders confess corporate sin (1) Hezekiah (without using this stem) ‒ 2 Chronicles 29 (2) Daniel ‒ Dan. 9:3,4,20 (3) Ezra ‒ Ezra 10:1 (4) Nehemiah ‒ Neh. 9:2 give thanks ‒ 2 Chr. 30:22 The Hiphil stem is used in Solomon's great prayer for the dedication of the Temple in 1 Kgs. 8:33,35; 2 Chr. 6:24,26; also note Ps. 32:5. Here, this confession of sin is a prerequisite for forgiveness and restoration. The Greek term has a similar usage. See SPECIAL TOPIC: CONFESSION/PROFESSION and SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (OT) and SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (NT). ▣ NASB, NKJV "unfaithfulness" NRSV, REB "treachery" "rebelled against" "infidelities" "trespassed" This is the Hebrew NOUN "unfaithful" or "treacherous act" (BDB 591 I; cf. Josh. 22:22; 1 Chr. 9:1; 2 Chr. 29:19; 23:19; Ezra 9:2,4; 10:6). YHWH's great love and mercy toward Israel magnifies their rebellion against Him! They were a "stiff-necked" people (cf. Exod. 32:9; 33:3,5; 34:9; Deut. 9:6,13; Acts 7:51). 26:41 "if their uncircumcised heart" Circumcision became a symbol for that which is dedicated to God, therefore, in the Old Testament, there is the uncircumcised heart (cf. Deut. 10:16; 30:6; Jer. 4:4), lip (cf. Exod. 6:12,20), and ear (cf. Jer. 6:10). Here, it became a metaphor for humbleness and openness toward God (i.e., 2 Chr. 7:14). 26:42 "I will remember My covenant with Jacob" Here we have an affirmation of God going back to His original covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12 (cf. Lev. 26:45). It was the original covenant whose stipulations guided God's dealing with the people of God. When God speaks His words can be trusted. His promises are unconditional (i.e., His redemption plan for all humans), but they are conditional on every individual and generation responding to them appropriately. See SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO PATRIARCHS. 26:45 "in the sight of the nations" It must be remembered that Israel was to be a kingdom of priests to bring all of the world to God (cf. Exod. 19:4-5). The people of the world knew of God from Israel but the problem was that when Israel sinned, God was revealed only in judgment and not in love and blessing. See SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN.
Levítico 26:46
26:46 The covenant originated with a sovereign God, but it was a conditional covenant!