King James Version

What Does Leviticus 26:6 Mean?

Leviticus 26:6 in the King James Version says “And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. rid: Heb. cause to cease

Leviticus 26:6 · KJV


Context

4

Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

5

And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.

6

And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. rid: Heb. cause to cease

7

And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.

8

And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.

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.


Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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. How does this verse help you understand both God's justice and His mercy in salvation?
  2. How can you use this verse to worship God more fully, obey Him more faithfully, or love others more sacrificially?
  3. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְנָֽתַתִּ֤י1 of 15

And I will give

H5414

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

שָׁלוֹם֙2 of 15

peace

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

בְּאַרְצְכֶֽם׃3 of 15

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּשְׁכַבְתֶּ֖ם4 of 15

and ye shall lie down

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

וְאֵ֣ין5 of 15
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מַֽחֲרִ֑יד6 of 15

and none shall make you afraid

H2729

to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)

וְהִשְׁבַּתִּ֞י7 of 15

and I will rid

H7673

to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)

חַיָּ֤ה8 of 15

beasts

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

רָעָה֙9 of 15

evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

מִן10 of 15
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

בְּאַרְצְכֶֽם׃11 of 15

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְחֶ֖רֶב12 of 15

neither shall the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

לֹֽא13 of 15
H3808

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

תַעֲבֹ֥ר14 of 15

go

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בְּאַרְצְכֶֽם׃15 of 15

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


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 26:6 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 26:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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