Blessings for Obedience
Leviticus 26:1-13
Lev.26.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- תעשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- אלילם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ופסל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומצבה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תקימו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- ואבן: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- משכית: ADJ,f,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- תתנו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- בארצכם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,SUF,2,m,pl
- להשתחות: INF,hitpael
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 20:4-5 (verbal): The Decalogue forbids making carved images or worshipping them; language and prohibition closely parallel Leviticus 26:1's ban on idols and worship of images.
- Deuteronomy 5:8-9 (verbal): Deuteronomy restates the Ten Commandments' prohibition against idols in wording and rationale, echoing Leviticus' prohibition and 'for I the LORD your God' justification.
- Deuteronomy 16:22 (structural): Specifically prohibits setting up a 'pillar' (matzevah) or sacred stone in the land—same concrete elements named in Leviticus 26:1.
- Deuteronomy 4:15-19 (thematic): Warns Israel not to make any likeness of God or be led into idolatry because God is formless; develops the theological rationale behind Leviticus' legal ban.
- Isaiah 44:9-20 (thematic): A prophetic polemic against idols and the folly of their makers/worshipers, thematically reinforcing Leviticus' rejection of images as objects of worship.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall not make for yourselves idols, and you shall not erect for yourselves a statue or a pillar; and a figured stone you shall not set in your land to bow down upon it, for I am the LORD your God.
- You shall not make for yourselves idols; a carved image or a pillar you shall not set up for yourselves, and a figured stone you shall not set in your land to bow down upon it—for I am the LORD your God.
Lev.26.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- את: PRT,acc
- שבתתי: NOUN,f,sg,poss,1,sg
- תשמרו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ומקדשי: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- תיראו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Lev.19.30 (verbal): Almost identical wording: “Keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary; I am the LORD,” repeating the same covenantal injunction.
- Exod.20.8-11 (quotation): The Ten‑Commandments formulation of the Sabbath command—“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”—serves as the primary law-setting context for observing the sabbath.
- Exod.31.13 (verbal): Uses similar language—“You are to observe my sabbaths; for it is a sign between me and you…I am the LORD who sanctifies you”—linking sabbath observance to God’s identity and covenant sign.
- Ezek.20.12 (allusion): God says he gave them his sabbaths as a sign so they would know ‘I am the LORD,’ echoing the Leviticus pairing of sabbath/holy place reverence and divine self‑identification.
- Deut.5.12-15 (thematic): Deuteronomy’s reiteration of the Sabbath command (observe the sabbath) recasts motive (deliverance from Egypt) but continues the covenantal demand to keep the day holy.
Alternative generated candidates
- My sabbaths you shall keep, and my sanctuary you shall revere; I am the LORD.
- My sabbaths you shall keep, and my sanctuary you shall revere; I am the LORD.
Lev.26.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אם: CONJ
- בחקתי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תלכו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- מצותי: NOUN,f,pl,abs,1cs
- תשמרו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ועשיתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Lev.18.4 (verbal): Uses nearly identical covenant formula — 'you shall follow my statutes and keep my judgments' — echoing the injunction to obey God's laws.
- Exod.19.5 (verbal): Conditional covenant language ('If you will obey my voice and keep my covenant...') parallels the Levitical 'if you walk in my statutes' structure linking obedience to covenant blessing.
- Deut.11.22-23 (thematic): Speaks of careful observance of God's commandments and walking in his ways, connecting obedience to possession and enjoyment of the land (similar covenant promise-theme).
- Deut.28.1 (structural): Begins the blessings/curses section with an 'if you obey' condition that parallels Leviticus 26's conditional promise based on keeping statutes and commandments.
- Ps.119.4 (thematic): Affirms the centrality of keeping God's precepts ('You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently'), echoing the emphasis on obedience to divine law in Lev 26:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- If you walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments and do them,
- If you walk in my statutes and keep my commandments and do them:
Lev.26.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ונתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- גשמיכם: NOUN,m,pl,suff
- בעתם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff
- ונתנה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- יבולה: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- ועץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השדה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יתן: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- פריו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 11:14 (verbal): Uses the same motif and language of God giving “rain for your land in its season,” directly paralleling the promise of timely rain and resulting yield.
- Deuteronomy 28:12 (verbal): Part of the blessing formula—‘the heavens shall open to give rain to your land in its season’—echoing Leviticus’ connection between God’s rain and agricultural prosperity.
- Joel 2:23 (thematic): Promises the early and latter rains and abundant harvest as God’s restoration to his people; thematically parallels Leviticus’ assurance of seasonal rain and fruitfulness.
- Psalm 65:9–10 (thematic): Describes God visiting and watering the earth so it yields increase and pastures are clothed—a poetic reflection of the same theme of divine provision resulting in fruitful land and trees.
Alternative generated candidates
- then I will give your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its produce, and the tree of the field shall give its fruit.
- then I will give your rains in their season, and the land shall give its yield, and the tree of the field shall give its fruit.
Lev.26.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והשיג: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- דיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- בציר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובציר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישיג: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- זרע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואכלתם: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- לחמכם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- לשבע: PREP+NUM,card,pl
- וישבתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- לבטח: ADV
- בארצכם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,SUF,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 28:8-12 (verbal): Part of the covenant blessing listing agricultural abundance (grain, wine, oil), satisfaction in eating and dwelling securely in the land—echoes Lev 26:5’s promise of harvest, full bread, and safe habitation.
- Deuteronomy 11:14-15 (thematic): God’s promise that he will send rain so the land yields its produce and the people will eat and be satisfied—parallel agricultural prosperity tied to divine favor and security in the land.
- Isaiah 32:18 (allusion): “My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, in sure dwellings...” — an assurance of safe, settled life that echoes Lev 26:5’s promise to dwell securely in the land.
- Ezekiel 34:27 (verbal): “And they shall dwell securely... neither shall the beasts make them afraid” — a promise of safety and secure dwelling that parallels Lev 26:5’s assurance of dwelling ‘b’tach’ (safely) in the land.
Alternative generated candidates
- And your threshing shall overtake the vintage, and the vintage shall overtake the sowing; you shall eat your bread to the full and dwell securely in your land.
- Your threshing shall overtake the vintage, and the vintage shall overtake the sowing; and you shall eat your bread to the full and dwell in safety in your land.
Lev.26.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ונתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- שלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- ושכבתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- מחריד: VERB,piel,part,-,m,sg
- והשבתי: VERB,hiphil,perf,1,m,sg
- חיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מן: PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וחרב: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תעבר: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms
- בארצכם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,SUF,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Ezekiel 34:25-27 (verbal): God promises a 'covenant of peace,' to remove harmful beasts and that 'the sword shall not pass through the land'—language and themes closely echo Leviticus 26:6.
- Micah 4:4 (verbal): Promised domestic security: 'each will sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid,' echoing the same image of peaceful, fearless dwelling.
- Isaiah 2:4 (thematic): Vision of universal peace and the end of weapons—'they shall beat their swords into plowshares'—paralleling Leviticus' promise that the sword will not pass through the land.
- Isaiah 11:6-9 (thematic): Portrays a transformed creation where harmful animals no longer threaten and 'they shall not hurt or destroy,' resonating with the removal of 'evil beasts' and security in Leviticus 26:6.
- 1 Kings 4:25 (thematic): Description of national peace in Solomon's reign—'they dwelt every man under his vine and under his fig tree'—a later historical echo of the covenantal security promised in Leviticus.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will grant peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and no one will make you afraid; I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword shall not pass through your land.
- And I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and no one will make you afraid; I will banish the harmful wild beasts from the land, and the sword shall not pass through your land.
Lev.26.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ורדפתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- איביכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2mp
- ונפלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לפניכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- לחרב: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 28:7 (verbal): In the blessing formula Yahweh causes Israel's enemies to fall or flee before them—language and promise of pursuit and defeat closely parallel Lev 26:7.
- Exodus 23:27-28 (thematic): God promises to send terror before Israel and make their enemies turn their backs; thematically parallels the divine guarantee of victory and enemies falling in Lev 26:7.
- Deuteronomy 32:30 (thematic): Imagery of pursuing and routing enemies ('one chases a thousand') echoes the motif of overwhelming pursuit and defeat found in Lev 26:7.
- Psalm 44:5 (verbal): Speaks of God enabling Israel to push down adversaries and tread those who rise against them—verbal and thematic resonance with the image of enemies falling before Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall pursue your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.
- You shall pursue your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.
Lev.26.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ורדפו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- חמשה: NUM,m,pl
- מאה: NUM,f,sg,abs
- ומאה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- רבבה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ירדפו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ונפלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- איביכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:2,m,pl
- לפניכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- לחרב: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 32:30 (verbal): Similar numerical combat proverb: 'How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight?'—same motif of few routing many as in Lev 26:8.
- Joshua 23:10 (verbal): Uses the same formulaic claim ('One of you puts to flight a thousand') to promise victory to Israel—verbal parallel in the language of overwhelming victory by the few.
- Psalm 91:7 (verbal): Parallel numeric imagery ('A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand') portraying mass casualties of enemies while the faithful are preserved—related motif of disproportionate defeat.
- Judges 7:7 (thematic): Gideon’s 300 defeat the Midianites by divine help—an historical/thematic illustration of the principle that God enables a few to rout many, echoing Lev 26:8.
- 2 Chronicles 14:11–12 (thematic): Asa’s prayer and subsequent victory of a much smaller Judahite force over a vast invading army exemplify the divine granting of victory to the few against many, reflecting Lev 26:8’s promise.
Alternative generated candidates
- Five of you shall pursue a hundred, and a hundred of you shall pursue ten thousand; and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.
- Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand, and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.
Lev.26.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ופניתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- אליכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
- והפריתי: CONJ+VERB,hiph,perf,1,_,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- והרביתי: CONJ+VERB,hiph,perf,1,_,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- והקימתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,?,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בריתי: NOUN,f,sg,suff
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Genesis 17:2,6-7 (verbal): God promises to make Abraham fruitful, multiply his offspring, and establish an enduring covenant—language and concepts (multiply you; establish my covenant) closely parallel Lev 26:9.
- Genesis 9:9-11 (verbal): After the Flood God declares 'I establish my covenant with you' (with Noah and his descendants), echoing Lev 26:9's formula of God establishing his covenant with the people.
- Deuteronomy 7:12-13 (thematic): As a consequence of obedience God promises love, blessing and multiplication of the people and their offspring—themes of fruitfulness and covenantal blessing that mirror Lev 26:9.
- Hosea 2:21-23 (2:22-23 in some numberings) (allusion): God speaks of betrothing/turning to Israel, changing names, and causing fruitfulness—the imagery of God 'turning to' and 'multiplying' Israel parallels the intimate covenantal renewal in Lev 26:9.
- Jeremiah 31:31-34 (thematic): God promises a renewed/established covenant with Israel (a future covenant written on hearts). Though prophetic and renewed, it continues the same covenantal motif expressed in Lev 26:9 of God establishing his covenant with his people.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will turn toward you and make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will establish my covenant with you.
- I will turn toward you and make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will establish my covenant with you.
Lev.26.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואכלתם: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- ישן: ADJ,f,sg,def
- נושן: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- וישן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מפני: PREP
- חדש: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- תוציאו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Lev.26.5 (structural): Immediate covenant context: God promises abundant grain and seed so the people will reap plentifully—this verse continues the same cluster of blessing leading to eating old stores and making way for new.
- Lev.26.9 (structural): Directly precedes 26:10 in the same promise of favor and productive land; both verses frame God’s making the land yield as the reason for surplus consumption and clearing out old produce.
- Deut.28.11-12 (thematic): A Deuteronomic blessing that the LORD will grant abundance (full baskets, satisfied eating, overflowing provision); parallels Leviticus’ image of surplus crops and ease in provisioning.
- Joel 2.24-26 (thematic): Prophetic restoration language—threshing-floors full, vats overflowing, people eating and being satisfied—echoes Lev 26:10’s depiction of abundant harvests and eating both old and new produce.
- Isa.65.21-23 (thematic): Promise of enjoying the fruit of one’s work (planting and eating one’s vineyards) and long-term stability; thematically parallels Leviticus’ assurance of recurring, sufficient provision so old yields can be cleared for new.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall eat old, long-stored produce, and you shall clear out the old because of the new.
- You shall eat the old, long-stored; and you shall clear out the old because of the new.
Lev.26.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ונתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- משכני: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בתוככם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- תגעל: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- נפשי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Lev.26.12 (structural): Immediate parallel within the passage: verse 12 continues the thought—God promises to 'walk among you and be your God,' reinforcing the presence motif of 'placing my dwelling among you.'
- Exod.29.45-46 (verbal): Uses similar language of divine presence—'I will dwell among the people of Israel... and be their God'—echoing the promise to set God's dwelling among the people.
- Ezek.37.27 (allusion): Prophetic fulfillment language: 'My dwelling place shall be with them; and I will be their God and they shall be my people,' explicitly adopting the covenantal presence formula found in Lev 26:11–12.
- 2 Cor.6.16 (quotation): Paul cites the presence motif ('I will live in them and walk among them; I will be their God') to argue that believers are God's temple, directly drawing on Levitical language about God's dwelling among his people.
- John 1.14 (verbal): The Evangelist's statement that the Word 'dwelt among us' (Greek: eskenosen, literally 'pitched his tent') verbally echoes the 'dwelling among you' motif, presenting divine presence in incarnational terms.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will set my dwelling among you, and my soul will not abhor you.
- I will set my dwelling in your midst, and my soul will not abhor you.
Lev.26.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והתהלכתי: VERB,hithpael,perf,1,c,sg
- בתוככם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- והייתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- לאלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואתם: CONJ+PRON,2,pl
- תהיו: VERB,qal,imf,2,pl
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לעם: PREP
Parallels
- Lev.26.11 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same passage: God promises his dwelling among Israel ("I will set my tabernacle among you"), preparing the promise in v.12 that he will walk among them and they shall be his people.
- Exod.29.45-46 (verbal): Very similar wording: God will 'dwell among' Israel and be their God — the same covenant motif of divine presence and relationship.
- Jer.31.33 (quotation): Part of the New Covenant language later summarized as 'I will be their God, and they shall be my people,' echoing the Levitical promise of intimate covenant relationship.
- Ezek.36.28 (verbal): Ezekiel repeats the formula 'you shall be my people, and I will be your God' in the context of restoration, applying the Levitical theme of God's presence to future renewal.
- Rev.21.3 (allusion): Apocalyptic fulfillment language: 'the tabernacle of God is with men... and they shall be his people' — an eschatological echo of the promise that God will dwell among his people.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will walk among you, and I will be God to you, and you shall be my people.
- I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.
Lev.26.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הוצאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- מהית: VERB,qal,inf,_,_,_
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- עבדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואשבר: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- מטת: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- עלכם: PREP+PRON,2,m,pl
- ואולך: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- קוממיות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 20:2 (quotation): Nearly identical formula: 'I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery' — the same grounding of covenant obligations in the Exodus deliverance.
- Deuteronomy 5:6 (quotation): Repetition of the Exodus/Sinai covenant formula ('I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt'), linking divine identity and covenant command in the same language as Lev. 26:13.
- Exodus 6:6 (verbal): God's promise to 'bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians' and to 'deliver you' parallels Leviticus' emphasis that God freed Israel from slavery and broke the yoke upon them.
- Deuteronomy 15:15 (thematic): Reminder of Israel's former slavery ('you were slaves in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you'), echoing the motive for God's care and the covenantal claim in Lev. 26:13.
- Psalm 81:6–7 (Hebrew numbering) (thematic): Psalm 81 celebrates the Exodus deliverance and the removal of burdens ('I removed his shoulder from the burden'), using the same theme of God freeing Israel from oppression that underlies Leviticus 26:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- I am the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, from being slaves to them; I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk upright.
- I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, so that you should not be their slaves; and I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk upright.
You shall not make for yourselves idols, and you shall not set up for yourselves a carved image or a pillar; and a stone with engraved figures you shall not place in your land to bow down upon it—for I am the LORD your God.
My Sabbaths you shall keep, and my sanctuary you shall revere; I am the LORD.
If you walk in my statutes and keep my commandments and do them:
then I will give your rains in their season, and the land shall give its yield, and the tree of the field shall give its fruit.
The threshing shall overtake the vintage, and the vintage shall overtake the sowing; you shall eat your bread till you are satisfied, and you shall dwell securely in your land. And I will grant peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and no one shall make you afraid; I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword shall not pass through your land.
You shall pursue your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.
Five of you shall pursue a hundred, and a hundred of you shall pursue ten thousand; and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.
I will turn toward you and make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will establish my covenant with you.
You shall eat the old, long stored, and you shall bring out the old because of the new.
I will set my dwelling-place in your midst, and my very self shall not spurn you.
I will walk in your midst and will be your God, and you shall be my people.
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt so that you would not be their slaves; I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk upright.