Leviticus 26:19

19 and I will break 1the pride of your power, and I 2will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze.

Leviticus 26:19 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 26:19

And I will break the pride of your power
Which the Targum of Jonathan and Jarchi interpret of the sanctuary, which they were proud of, trusted in, and boasted of; but was broke or destroyed, first by Nebuchadnezzar, then by the Romans: but it may rather signify their country, the glory of all lands for its fruitfulness, which for their sins should become barren, as follows; or the multitude of their forces, and the strength of their mighty men of war, in which they put their confidence; it may take in everything, civil and ecclesiastical, they prided themselves with, and had their dependence on, thinking themselves safe on account of them, but should be broken to shivers, and be of no service to them: and I will make your heaven as iron;
so that neither dew nor rain shall descend from thence to make the earth fruitful; but, on the contrary, an heat should be reflected, which would parch it, and make it barren: and your earth as brass;
that the seed could not be cast into it, nor anything spring out of it, for the service of man and beast, so that a famine must unavoidably follow.

Leviticus 26:19 In-Context

17 I will set my face against you, and you shall be struck down before your enemies. Those who hate you shall rule over you, and you shall flee when none pursues you.
18 And if in spite of this you will not listen to me, then I will discipline you again sevenfold for your sins,
19 and I will break the pride of your power, and I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze.
20 And your strength shall be spent in vain, for your land shall not yield its increase, and the trees of the land shall not yield their fruit.
21 "Then if you walk contrary to me and will not listen to me, I will continue striking you, sevenfold for your sins.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Ezekiel 30:6; [Jeremiah 13:9]
  • 2. Deuteronomy 28:23
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.