Leviticus 26:19

Authorized King James Version

PDF

And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:

Original Language Analysis

וְשָֽׁבַרְתִּ֖י And I will break H7665
וְשָֽׁבַרְתִּ֖י And I will break
Strong's: H7665
Word #: 1 of 11
to burst (literally or figuratively)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
גְּא֣וֹן the pride H1347
גְּא֣וֹן the pride
Strong's: H1347
Word #: 3 of 11
the same as h1346
עֻזְּכֶ֑ם of your power H5797
עֻזְּכֶ֑ם of your power
Strong's: H5797
Word #: 4 of 11
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
וְנָֽתַתִּ֤י and I will make H5414
וְנָֽתַתִּ֤י and I will make
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 5 of 11
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁמֵיכֶם֙ your heaven H8064
שְׁמֵיכֶם֙ your heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 7 of 11
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
כַּבַּרְזֶ֔ל as iron H1270
כַּבַּרְזֶ֔ל as iron
Strong's: H1270
Word #: 8 of 11
iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
וְאֶֽת H853
וְאֶֽת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אַרְצְכֶ֖ם and your earth H776
אַרְצְכֶ֖ם and your earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 10 of 11
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
כַּנְּחֻשָֽׁה׃ as brass H5154
כַּנְּחֻשָֽׁה׃ as brass
Strong's: H5154
Word #: 11 of 11
copper

Cross References

Deuteronomy 28:23And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.1 Kings 17:1And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.Isaiah 25:11And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.Jeremiah 13:9Thus saith the LORD, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem.Luke 4:25But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;Ezekiel 30:6Thus saith the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord GOD.1 Samuel 4:11And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.Daniel 4:37Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.Zephaniah 3:11In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.

Analysis & Commentary

And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:

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.


Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

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. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources