Leviticus 26:25

Authorized King James Version

And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהֵֽבֵאתִ֨י
And I will bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
עֲלֵיכֶ֜ם
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#3
חֶ֗רֶב
a sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#4
נֹקֶ֙מֶת֙
upon you that shall avenge
to grudge, i.e., avenge or punish
#5
נְקַם
the quarrel
revenge
#6
בְּרִ֔ית
of my covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
#7
וְנֶֽאֱסַפְתֶּ֖ם
and when ye are gathered together
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
#8
אֶל
within
near, with or among; often in general, to
#9
עָֽרֵיכֶ֑ם
your cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#10
וְשִׁלַּ֤חְתִּי
I will send
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#11
דֶ֙בֶר֙
the pestilence
a pestilence
#12
בְּת֣וֹכְכֶ֔ם
among
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#13
וְנִתַּתֶּ֖ם
you and ye shall be delivered
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#14
בְּיַד
into the hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#15
אוֹיֵֽב׃
of the enemy
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 covenant 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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show treaty language and adoption practices from the ancient world, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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