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Leviticus 26:22

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 26:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And I will send the beast of the field among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your ways shall become desolate.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And I will send the beast of the field among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your ways shall become desolate.
Leviticus 26:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 26

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19And I will break the pride of your power: and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass;
20and your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield its increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruit.
21And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me, I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.
22And I will send the beast of the field among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your ways shall become desolate.
23And if by these things ye will not be reformed unto me, but will walk contrary unto me;
24then will I also walk contrary unto you; and I will smite you, even I, seven times for your sins.
25And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall execute the vengeance of the covenant; and ye shall be gathered together within your cities: and I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.
← Leviticus 26:21Leviticus 26:23 →
← Full Chapter 26 Leviticus Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I will also send wild beasts among you, etc.] Either in a literal sense, as lions, bears, wolves, etc. and so is the reverse of what is promised to them on their doing well, (<032606>Leviticus 26:6); or figuratively, mighty monarchs and cruel oppressors, such as were the kings of Assyria and Babylon, (<245017>Jeremiah 50:17); which shall rob you of your children; as the bears, in a literal sense, destroyed the children of them in the times of Elisha, (<120224>2 Kings 2:24); and destroy your cattle; the tame beasts, who often become a prey to the wild ones, as both those of the flock, and of the herd, sheep and oxen, do to lions, wolves, etc. and make you few in number; or diminish them,…”
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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
“I will also send wild beasts among you--This was one of the four judgments threatened (Eze 14:21; see also Kg2 2:4). your highways shall be desolate--Trade and commerce will be destroyed--freedom and safety will be gone--neither stranger nor native will be found on the roads (Isa 33:8). This is an exact picture of the present state of the Holy Land, which has long lain in a state of desolation, brought on by the sins of the ancient Jews.”
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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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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“wild: Lev 26:6; Deu 32:24; Kg2 17:25; Jer 15:3; Eze 5:17, Eze 14:15, Eze 14:21 rob you: Kg2 2:24 your high: Jdg 5:6; Ch2 15:5; Isa 24:6, Isa 33:8; Lam 1:4; Eze 14:15, Eze 33:28; Mic 3:12; Zac 7:14 Leviticus 26:23”
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Related study paths

Read Leviticus 26 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification