Leviticus 26:1-9

1 The Lord said, "Do not make idols or set up statues, stone pillars, or carved stones to worship. I am the Lord your God. 1
2 Keep the religious festivals and honor the place where I am worshiped. I am the Lord.
3 "If you live according to my laws and obey my commands, 2
4 I will send you rain at the right time, so that the land will produce crops and the trees will bear fruit.
5 Your crops will be so plentiful that you will still be harvesting grain when it is time to pick grapes, and you will still be picking grapes when it is time to plant grain. You will have all that you want to eat, and you can live in safety in your land.
6 "I will give you peace in your land, and you can sleep without being afraid of anyone. I will get rid of the dangerous animals in the land, and there will be no more war there.
7 You will be victorious over your enemies;
8 five of you will be able to defeat a hundred, and a hundred will be able to defeat ten thousand.
9 I will bless you and give you many children; I will keep my part of the covenant that I made with you.

Leviticus 26:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 26

In this chapter, after a repetition of some laws against idolatry, and concerning keeping sabbaths, and reverencing the sanctuary of God, Le 26:1,2; in order to encourage the Israelites to keep the various statutes and commandments in this book, and in the preceding, many promises are made of plenty, and peace, and safety from enemies, and of the presence of God with them, Le 26:3-13; and on the contrary, to such as should despise and break his commandments, the most grievous things are threatened, as diseases of body, destruction by their enemies, barrenness and unfruitfulness of land, the sore judgments of wild beasts, famine, sword, and pestilence, Le 26:14-39; and yet after all, when they should confess their sins, and were humbled for them, the Lord promises to remember the covenant he made with their ancestors, and would deal kindly with them, and not cast them away, and utterly destroy them, Le 26:40-46.

Cross References 2

  • 1. 26.1 aLeviticus 19.4; bExodus 20.4;Deuteronomy 5.8; 16.21, 22; 27.1.
  • 2. 26.3-5Deuteronomy 11.13-15; 28.1-14.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.