Ch. Leviticus 26:1-46. A Concluding Exhortation, embodying Promises and Warnings (H, except 1, 2, 46 Rp[73])

[73] A Reviser, who, probably after that collection had been combined with the Priestly Code, introduced further elements from that Code.

This ch., closing as it does the collection called the ‘Law of Holiness’ (17–26), bears all the characteristics of H, and is evidently the work of the compiler of that document. Accordingly it views the land and agriculture as fundamentally connected with religious observances (cp. chs. 19, 23, 25). Its one command (apart from Leviticus 26:1-2, see below) is to let the land lie fallow in the seventh year (Leviticus 26:34). It begins and ends with characteristic expressions of the ‘Law of Holiness,’ ‘If ye walk in my statutes’ (Leviticus 26:3), ‘I am the Lord’ (Leviticus 26:45). For an examination of the remarkable amount of coincidences in language between this ch. and Ezekiel see Intr. to Pent. (p. 240), and for discussion of the dates of the two see App. III, pp. 177 ff. in this volume.

The ch. may be analysed as follows:

(1) Leviticus 26:1-2, idolatry forbidden, and the sabbath to be observed;

(2) Leviticus 26:3-45, concluding exhortation; (3) Leviticus 26:46, conclusion.

When we compare this ch. with the similar exhortations and warnings in Exodus 23:20 ff.; Deuteronomy 28, it will seem probable that such was the recognised method of concluding a collection of laws prepared for promulgation.

1. a pillar] maẓẓçbâh, an upright stone, frequently mentioned in connexion with local worship. See for illustrations of those discovered at Gezer, Driver’s Schweich Lectures, p. 63.

any figured stone] i.e. with some idolatrous representation carved on it.

1, 2. These two vv. contain only repetitions of the precepts already given (Leviticus 19:3-4; Leviticus 19:30); in fact, the direction to observe the sabbath appears here for the third time. The redactor of H attached great importance to these vv., and accordingly closed his legislation with them. Their position, however, at the commencement of this ch. is unsuitable and may be owing to accident. Still their importance, as corresponding to the first four Commandments, may account for their insertion.

3–13. The blessing that shall follow upon obedience. (Cp. Deuteronomy 28:1-11.)

5. Such shall be the abundant yield of cereals and wine that the ingathering will be continuous from the commencement of harvest till the time arrives for sowing the next crop. Cp. Amos 9:13.

6. none shall make you afraid] a familiar expression in the prophetical books (Isaiah 17:2; Micah 4:4; Nahum 2:11), found also in Job (Leviticus 11:19, etc.).

9. will establish] rather, will carry out. The Heb. expression means, to fulfil the promises of an older covenant. Cp. Genesis 26:3, ‘I will establish [to Isaac] the oath which I sware unto Abraham’; Deuteronomy 9:5, to ‘establish the word which the Lord sware unto thy fathers.’ So Jeremiah 34:18 of the inhabitants of Jerusalem who did not carry out the words of the covenant which they had made.

10. because of the new] better as mg. from before the new. The meaning is that the yield shall be so great that what has been gathered in an earlier year must be carried out of the storehouses or barns to make way for the fresh produce.

12. I will walk among you] Cp. Genesis 3:8.

13. the bars] with which the yoke was fastened to the animal’s neck.

14–39. The penalties that shall ensue, if Israel prove disobedient (Cp. Deuteronomy 28:15 ff.)

They are arranged in five groups, viz. (a) Leviticus 26:16-18, (b) Leviticus 26:19-20, (c) Leviticus 26:21; Leviticus 26:32, (d) Leviticus 26:23-26, (e) Leviticus 26:27-39, overthrow and exile of the nation.

16. terror] i.e. terrible things, viz. those that follow.

the soul] your life.

17. ye shall flee when none pursueth you] Cp. Leviticus 26:36; Proverbs 28:1; also Psalm 53:5.

19. the pride of your power] the pride with which ye rely upon your prosperity and the fruitfulness of your land. The expression is found elsewhere only in Ezekiel, where in Ezekiel 7:24 LXX., Ezekiel 24:21, Ezekiel 33:28 it refers to the fall of the nation and the destruction of Jerusalem; in Ezekiel 30:6; Ezekiel 30:18, the phrase is applied to Egypt.

21. plagues] See on Leviticus 13:2.

22. the beast of the field] savage animals. Cp. 2 Kings 17:25.

23. be reformed unto] rather, be disciplined by. See mg.

25. execute the vengeance of the covenant] exact retribution from you for disregarding My covenant with you.

ye shall be gathered together within your cities] for shelter. Cp. Jeremiah 4:5; Jeremiah 35:11.

26. your staff of bread] the bread which sustains life. For the expression see Psalm 105:16; Ezekiel 4:16; Ezekiel 5:16; Ezekiel 14:13, and cp. Isaiah 3:1. The rest of the v. means that the amount available for baking, and therefore the frequency with which the oven is used, will be so limited that one oven will be sufficient to serve ten families. Moreover, instead of the bread being brought home from the oven in such an abundant quantity that there is no need of weighing it, as there is obviously enough for all comers, it will then be needful to weigh it with the utmost precision, that the scanty supply may be measured out carefully to each, lest any should get more than their share.

29. Cp. Deuteronomy 28:53; Jeremiah 19:9, and, for the fulfilment of the prophet’s words, Lamentations 4:10.

30. high places] places on which the Israelites anciently practised their worship, and often carried on idolatrous rites in connexion with it. They at first used hills or mountains, and afterwards mounds or platforms. Such idolatrous high places were destroyed by Josiah (2 Kings 23:5-20), but the worship of Jehovah on them (1 Kings 22:43; 2 Kings 15:35) continued till the Exile.

sun-images] rather, sun-pillars, probably emblems of a Phoenician deity, Baal-Ḥammân, ‘Lord of the sun’s heat.’ See Skinner (C.B.) on Isaiah 17:8.

idols] The Heb. word is a favourite one with Ezekiel (Ezekiel 6:5, etc.). It is a term of contempt, probably meaning blocks, shapeless things.

31. I will not smell, etc.] Cp. Isaiah 1:11 ff.; Amos 5:21 f.

32. shall be astonished] Cp. Jeremiah 18:16; Jeremiah 19:8.

33. will draw out the sword] For this expression, as implying the hot pursuit of fugitives, see Ezekiel 5:2; Ezekiel 5:12; Ezekiel 12:14.

34. Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths] The verb râẓâh has for its general meaning in Ḳal. ‘to accept,’ ‘to be satisfied with,’ and so ‘to enjoy,’ the land being regarded as having been long deprived of its rights, which are now restored. Accordingly the Hiph. (as the causative voice), occurring only in 34 b, may perhaps mean ‘cause [God] to accept’ her sabbaths, and so virtually ‘pay back’ those which had been disregarded and were due to God. The same verb is rendered ‘accept’ in Leviticus 26:41; Leviticus 26:43. See on Leviticus 26:41.

36. the sound of driven leaf] Cp. Leviticus 26:17; Proverbs 28:1.

39. in the iniquities of their fathers] in the guilt to which their fathers have contributed.

with them] meaning either, as they have done, or, as holding fast by their fathers’ iniquities.

40–45. Repentance shall bring restoration

41. accept of] acknowledge that the punishment was deserved and has had its remedial effect.

43, 44. These vv. have rather the air of a later insertion.

46. the statutes and judgements and laws] This wording shews that the v. forms the conclusion not merely of this ch. but of the whole ‘Law of Holiness’ (Leviticus 26:17-26).