Leviticus 26:18

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 26:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And if ye will not yet for these things hearken unto me, then I will chastise you seven times more for your sins.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And if ye will not yet for these things hearken unto me, then I will chastise you seven times more for your sins.
Leviticus 26:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 26

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And if ye will not yet for these things hearken unto me, then I will chastise you seven times more for your sins.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, etc.] If such corrections by diseases of body, and by giving them up into the hands of their enemies, should be ineffectual to reform them, and bring them to obedience to the statutes and commandments of God, but should continue in their disobedience to him, and rebellion against him: then I will punish you seven times more for your sins; that is, abundantly more, with sorer punishments, and these more frequently repeated.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more--that is, with far more severe and protracted calamities.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“As “the book of the covenant” Exodus 20:22-33 concludes with promises and warnings Exodus 23:20-33, so does this collection of laws contained in the Book of Leviticus. But the former passage relates to the conquest of the land of promise, this one to the subsequent history of the nation. The longer similar passage in Deuteronomy Deut. 27–30 is marked by broader and deeper promises and denunciations having immediate reference not only to outward consequences, but to the spiritual death incurred by transgressing the divine will. Leviticus 26:4 Rain in due season - The periodical rains, on which the fertility of the holy land so much depends, are here spoken of. There are two wet seasons,…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“26:18 seven times over: I.e., many times (see also 26:21, 24, 28; Gen 4:15).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“seven times: Lev 26:21, Lev 26:24, Lev 26:28; Sa1 2:5; Psa 119:164; Pro 24:16; Dan 3:19 Leviticus 26:19”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“First stage of the aggravated judgments. - If they did not hearken אלּה עד, "up to these" (the punishments named in Lev 26:16, Lev 26:17), that is to say, if they persisted in their disobedience even when the judgments reached to this height, God would add a sevenfold chastisement on account of their sins, would punish them seven times more severely, and break down their strong pride by fearful drought. Seven, as the number of perfection in the works of God, denotes the strengthening of the chastisement, even to the height of its full measure (cf. Pro 24:16). עז גּאון, lit., the eminence or pride of strength, includes everything upon which a nation rests its might; then the pride and…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification