King James Version

What Does Leviticus 26:41 Mean?

Leviticus 26:41 in the King James Version says “And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their unci...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:”

Leviticus 26:41 · KJV

Context

39

And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.

40

If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;

41

And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:

42

Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.

43

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.

Read Leviticus 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:

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.


What Leviticus portrayed through types and shadows, Christ fulfilled in reality through His incarnation, perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection.

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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. Ancient texts like the Code of Hammurabi show that law codes were common in the ancient Near East, but biblical law uniquely grounded ethics in God's character rather than merely social convention.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?
  2. How does this verse point to Christ, and how does that deepen your faith and gratitude?
  3. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
אַף1 of 18
H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

אֲנִ֗י2 of 18
H589

i

אֵלֵ֤ךְ3 of 18
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עִמָּם֙4 of 18
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בְּקֶ֔רִי5 of 18

“contrary”

H7147

hostile encounter

וְהֵֽבֵאתִ֣י6 of 18

“unto them and have brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֹתָ֔ם7 of 18
H853

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

בְּאֶ֖רֶץ8 of 18

“them into the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֑ם9 of 18

“of their enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

אוֹ10 of 18

“if then”

H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

אָ֣ז11 of 18
H227

at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore

יִכָּנַ֗ע12 of 18

“be humbled”

H3665

properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish

לְבָבָם֙13 of 18

“hearts”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

הֶֽעָרֵ֔ל14 of 18

“their uncircumcised”

H6189

properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)

וְאָ֖ז15 of 18
H227

at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore

יִרְצ֥וּ16 of 18

“and they then accept”

H7521

to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt

אֶת17 of 18
H853

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

עֲוֹנָֽם׃18 of 18

“of the punishment of their iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

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 26:41 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 26:41 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 44:72 Chronicles 32:26Jeremiah 9:25-26Acts 7:51Jeremiah 4:41 Kings 21:29

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