Leviticus 26:16

Authorized King James Version

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I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.

Original Language Analysis

אַף H637
אַף
Strong's: H637
Word #: 1 of 21
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
אֲנִ֞י H589
אֲנִ֞י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 2 of 21
i
אֶֽעֱשֶׂה I also will do H6213
אֶֽעֱשֶׂה I also will do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 3 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
זֹּ֣את H2063
זֹּ֣את
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 4 of 21
this (often used adverb)
לָכֶ֗ם H0
לָכֶ֗ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 5 of 21
וְהִפְקַדְתִּ֨י this unto you I will even appoint H6485
וְהִפְקַדְתִּ֨י this unto you I will even appoint
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 6 of 21
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עֲלֵיכֶ֤ם H5921
עֲלֵיכֶ֤ם
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 7 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בֶּֽהָלָה֙ over you terror H928
בֶּֽהָלָה֙ over you terror
Strong's: H928
Word #: 8 of 21
panic, destruction
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַשַּׁחֶ֣פֶת consumption H7829
הַשַּׁחֶ֣פֶת consumption
Strong's: H7829
Word #: 10 of 21
emaciation
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 11 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַקַּדַּ֔חַת and the burning ague H6920
הַקַּדַּ֔חַת and the burning ague
Strong's: H6920
Word #: 12 of 21
inflammation, i.e., febrile disease
מְכַלּ֥וֹת that shall consume H3615
מְכַלּ֥וֹת that shall consume
Strong's: H3615
Word #: 13 of 21
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
עֵינַ֖יִם the eyes H5869
עֵינַ֖יִם the eyes
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 14 of 21
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וּמְדִיבֹ֣ת and cause sorrow H1727
וּמְדִיבֹ֣ת and cause sorrow
Strong's: H1727
Word #: 15 of 21
to mope, i.e., (figuratively) pine
נָ֑פֶשׁ of heart H5315
נָ֑פֶשׁ of heart
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 16 of 21
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וּזְרַעְתֶּ֤ם and ye shall sow H2232
וּזְרַעְתֶּ֤ם and ye shall sow
Strong's: H2232
Word #: 17 of 21
to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
לָרִיק֙ in vain H7385
לָרִיק֙ in vain
Strong's: H7385
Word #: 18 of 21
emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain
זַרְעֲכֶ֔ם your seed H2233
זַרְעֲכֶ֔ם your seed
Strong's: H2233
Word #: 19 of 21
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
וַֽאֲכָלֻ֖הוּ shall eat H398
וַֽאֲכָלֻ֖הוּ shall eat
Strong's: H398
Word #: 20 of 21
to eat (literally or figuratively)
אֹֽיְבֵיכֶֽם׃ for your enemies H341
אֹֽיְבֵיכֶֽם׃ for your enemies
Strong's: H341
Word #: 21 of 21
hating; an adversary

Analysis & Commentary

I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.

This verse falls within the section on Blessings and Curses. Covenant blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, establishing consequences of Israel's covenant relationship.


What Leviticus portrayed through types and shadows, Christ fulfilled in reality through His incarnation, perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection.

Historical Context

Covenant blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, establishing consequences of Israel's covenant relationship. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Archaeological discoveries at sites like Ugarit reveal Canaanite religious practices Israel's laws explicitly rejected, confirming the Bible's historical reliability and the distinctiveness of Israelite worship.

Questions for Reflection

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