King James Version

What Does Leviticus 26:17 Mean?

Leviticus 26:17 in the King James Version says “And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; ...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.”

Leviticus 26:17 · KJV

Context

15

And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant:

16

I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. over: Heb. upon

17

And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.

18

And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.

19

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

Read Leviticus 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.

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.


Every sacrifice and ritual in Leviticus points forward to Jesus Christ, who fulfills the entire sacrificial system as both perfect sacrifice and eternal high priest.

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Historical & Cultural 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. Archaeological discoveries at sites like Ugarit reveal Canaanite religious practices Israel's laws explicitly rejected, confirming the Bible's historical reliability and the distinctiveness of Israelite worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?
  2. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?
  3. In what ways does this verse challenge contemporary cultural values or your personal attitudes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְנָֽתַתִּ֤י1 of 13

“And I will set”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִפְנֵ֣י2 of 13

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

בָּכֶ֔ם3 of 13
H0
וְנִגַּפְתֶּ֖ם4 of 13

“against you and ye shall be slain”

H5062

to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)

לִפְנֵ֣י5 of 13

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֹֽיְבֵיכֶ֑ם6 of 13

“your enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

וְרָד֤וּ7 of 13

“you shall reign”

H7287

to tread down, i.e., subjugate; specifically, to crumble off

בָכֶם֙8 of 13
H0
שֹֽׂנְאֵיכֶ֔ם9 of 13

“they that hate”

H8130

to hate (personally)

וְנַסְתֶּ֖ם10 of 13

“over you and ye shall flee”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

וְאֵין11 of 13
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

רֹדֵ֥ף12 of 13

“when none pursueth”

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

אֶתְכֶֽם׃13 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Leviticus 26:17 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 Leviticus 26:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 28:1Leviticus 17:10Deuteronomy 28:25Psalms 53:5Leviticus 26:36-37Jeremiah 19:7

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