Leviticus 26:43

Authorized King James Version

The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָאָרֶץ֩
The land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#2
תֵּֽעָזֵ֨ב
also shall be left
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
#3
מֵהֶ֜ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#4
יִרְצ֣וּ
of them and shall enjoy
to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt
#5
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
שַׁבְּתֹתֶ֗יהָ
her sabbaths
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
#7
בָּהְשַׁמָּה֙
while she lieth desolate
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
#8
מֵהֶ֔ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#9
וְהֵ֖ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#10
יִרְצ֣וּ
of them and shall enjoy
to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt
#11
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#12
עֲוֹנָ֑ם
of the punishment of their iniquity
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
#13
וּבְיַ֔עַן
because
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
#14
וּבְיַ֔עַן
because
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
#15
בְּמִשְׁפָּטַ֣י
my judgments
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#16
מָאָ֔סוּ
they despised
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
#17
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#18
חֻקֹּתַ֖י
my statutes
a statute
#19
גָּֽעֲלָ֥ה
abhorred
to detest; by implication, to reject
#20
נַפְשָֽׁם׃
and because their soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

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

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 cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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