King James Version

What Does Leviticus 26:43 Mean?

Leviticus 26:43 in the King James Version says “The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Leviticus 26:43 · KJV

Context

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.

44

And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the LORD their God.

45

But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I am the LORD.

Read Leviticus 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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.


The access to God's presence that Leviticus carefully regulated is now freely available through Christ's blood, tearing the veil and opening the way to God.

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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. The tabernacle's design parallels ancient Near Eastern temple architecture, yet its portable nature and absence of divine images distinguished it from pagan temples.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding the purpose behind God's laws help you obey Him from the heart rather than mere duty?
  2. How does this verse help you understand both God's justice and His mercy in salvation?
  3. What does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְהָאָרֶץ֩1 of 20

“The land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

תֵּֽעָזֵ֨ב2 of 20

“also shall be left”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

מֵהֶ֜ם3 of 20
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

יִרְצ֣וּ4 of 20

“of them and shall enjoy”

H7521

to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt

אֶת5 of 20
H853

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

שַׁבְּתֹתֶ֗יהָ6 of 20

“her sabbaths”

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

בָּהְשַׁמָּה֙7 of 20

“while she lieth desolate”

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

מֵהֶ֔ם8 of 20
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וְהֵ֖ם9 of 20
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

יִרְצ֣וּ10 of 20

“of them and shall enjoy”

H7521

to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt

אֶת11 of 20
H853

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

עֲוֹנָ֑ם12 of 20

“of the punishment of their iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וּבְיַ֔עַן13 of 20

“because”

H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

וּבְיַ֔עַן14 of 20

“because”

H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

בְּמִשְׁפָּטַ֣י15 of 20

“my judgments”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

מָאָ֔סוּ16 of 20

“they despised”

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

וְאֶת17 of 20
H853

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

חֻקֹּתַ֖י18 of 20

“my statutes”

H2708

a statute

גָּֽעֲלָ֥ה19 of 20

“abhorred”

H1602

to detest; by implication, to reject

נַפְשָֽׁם׃20 of 20

“and because their soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

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 26:43 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 26:43 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 8:7Leviticus 26:15Isaiah 26:16Leviticus 26:41Zechariah 11:82 Kings 17:7-17

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