King James Version

What Does Exodus 15:26 Mean?

Exodus 15:26 in the King James Version says “And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

Exodus 15:26 · KJV


Context

24

And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

25

And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

26

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

27

And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's declaration: 'If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes.' Four conditions: (1) diligent hearing, (2) doing right, (3) obeying commands, (4) keeping statutes. The promise: 'I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians.' Health depends on obedience. The conclusion 'for I am the LORD that healeth thee' (Ani YHWH roph'ekha, אֲנִי יְהוָה רֹפְאֶךָ) reveals God's character as healer.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This covenant condition—obedience brings blessing (including health)—pervades Deuteronomy and Israel's subsequent history. While not mechanistic (Job suffered without sin), the principle holds: righteousness generally brings flourishing.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the connection between obedience and health challenge modern divorcing of spiritual and physical wellbeing?
  2. What does God identifying Himself as 'the LORD who heals you' teach about His character and purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֩1 of 27

And said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אִם2 of 27
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תִּשְׁמַ֜ע3 of 27

If thou wilt diligently

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

תִּשְׁמַ֜ע4 of 27

If thou wilt diligently

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

לְק֣וֹל׀5 of 27

to the voice

H6963

a voice or sound

יְהוָ֖ה6 of 27

for I am the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ7 of 27

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְהַיָּשָׁ֤ר8 of 27

that which is right

H3477

straight (literally or figuratively)

בְּעֵינָיו֙9 of 27

in his sight

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֔ה10 of 27

and wilt do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וְהַֽאֲזַנְתָּ֙11 of 27

and wilt give ear

H238

to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e., (by implication) to listen

לְמִצְוֹתָ֔יו12 of 27

to his commandments

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

וְשָֽׁמַרְתָּ֖13 of 27

and keep

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

כָּל14 of 27
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חֻקָּ֑יו15 of 27

all his statutes

H2706

an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)

כָּֽל16 of 27
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַמַּחֲלָ֞ה17 of 27

none of these diseases

H4245

sickness

אֲשֶׁר18 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אָשִׂ֣ים19 of 27

I will put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

בְמִצְרַ֙יִם֙20 of 27

upon the Egyptians

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לֹֽא21 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אָשִׂ֣ים22 of 27

I will put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

עָלֶ֔יךָ23 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כִּ֛י24 of 27
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֥י25 of 27
H589

i

יְהוָ֖ה26 of 27

for I am the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

רֹֽפְאֶֽךָ׃27 of 27

that healeth

H7495

properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 15:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 15:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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