Keraia
Leviticus 26

Leviticus 26:35

Punishments for Disobedience · Leviticus 26:14–39
Read Leviticus 26

Translations

Modern
As long as it lies desolate, the land will have the rest it did not receive during the Sabbaths when you lived in it.
Traditional
As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.
Literal
All the days of the desolation it shall rest, for it did not rest in your Sabbaths, when you dwelt in it.
Latin
…in terra hostili, sabbatizabit, et requiescet in sabbatis solitudinis suæ, eo quod non requieverit in sabbatis vestris quando habitabatis in ea.

Original

Hebrew
English
As long as it lies desolate, the land will have the rest it did not receive during the Sabbaths when you lived in it.

Notes

Leviticus 26:14–39

God punishes his people to change their behavior and restore their relationship with him. He acts like a perfectly righteous and loving parent would with a disobedient child. The punishments, meant to stop rebellious behavior, gradually increase. This gives Israel a chance to repent at any time (Leviticus 26:18–28). Even when Israel faced exile from the land in 722 and 586 BC, God was working to restore them (see, for example, Isaiah 40–66; Jeremiah 29:10; Amos 9:11–15).

Leviticus 26:3–39

These blessings and curses are similar to a key part of ancient Near Eastern treaties between a suzerain (a powerful king) and a vassal (a lesser king). In these treaties, the suzerain king promised to protect the vassal king and his land. In return, the vassal swore loyalty to the suzerain.

Blessings and curses followed, with curses usually being longer (compare Leviticus 26:3–13 with 26:14–39; see also Deuteronomy 27:15–28:68). These treaties often called upon gods as witnesses and enforcers. Yet, in God's covenant with Israel, God was one of the treaty parties, with Israel as the other. Since God could not swear by anyone greater, he swore by himself (see Hebrews 6:13; Genesis 22:16).

Parallels

Leviticus 20:1–9 Deuteronomy 28:15–68

People

Sabbath: The seventh day of the week, set apart for rest and worship

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Branch Curse, Cursed Deuteronomy, Book of Earth Elijah History of Israel Jubilee Year Leviticus, Book of Ransom Remnant Reward

Topics

Backsliders: General Scriptures Concerning Blessing: Contingent Upon Obedience Covenant of God with Men: Punishments for Breaking of Disobedience to God: Denunciations Against Judgments: Denounced Against Disobedience Punishment: Design of To Secure Obedience Rebellion Against God: Punishment For Reward: A Motive to Faithfulness Sabbath: Signifying a Period of Rest Sabbath: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Sabbatic Year: Punishment to Follow Violation of the Ordinances Concerning Sin: National, Punishment of Sin: The Israelites The Feast of Sabbatical Year: Jews Threatened for Neglecting War: God Uses, As a Judgment Wicked (People): Punishment of