Leviticus 26:20

Authorized King James Version

And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְתַ֥ם
shall be spent
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
#2
לָרִ֖יק
in vain
emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain
#3
כֹּֽחֲכֶ֑ם
And your strength
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
#4
וְלֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#5
יִתֵּ֖ן
shall not yield
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#6
הָאָ֔רֶץ
for your land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#7
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
יְבוּלָ֔הּ
her increase
produce, i.e., a crop or (figuratively) wealth
#9
וְעֵ֣ץ
neither shall the trees
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
#10
הָאָ֔רֶץ
for your land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#11
לֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#12
יִתֵּ֖ן
shall not yield
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#13
פִּרְיֽוֹ׃
their fruits
fruit (literally or figuratively)

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 literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Leviticus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

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

Study Resources