Leviticus 26:16

Authorized King James Version

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.

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

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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