Leviticus 26:25-26
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This verse reveals a chilling progression: first, a sword (war) comes to enforce the covenant, and then, when people flee into cities for safety, pestilence appears. This isn't just a sequence of disasters, but a divine strategy to ensure that even the places of supposed refuge become deadly traps, demonstrating that there's no escaping God's justice when a covenant is broken.
And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall execute vengeance for the covenant. And if you gather within your cities, I will send pestilence among you, and you shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. When I break your supply of bread, ten women shall bake your bread in a single oven and shall dole out your bread again by weight, and you shall eat and not be satisfied.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a lengthy covenant treaty where God outlines the blessings for obedience and the severe curses for disobedience. Having detailed the consequences of breaking the covenant, including widespread destruction and famine, God now describes the military and public health crises that will afflict Israel. If the people flee from invading armies and gather in their cities for safety, God declares that even these fortified places will not protect them, as He will send pestilence to decimate them, ultimately handing the survivors over to their enemies.
What happens when God's promises of blessing are met with disobedience? Leviticus 26 outlines a stark reality where faithfulness is met with severe judgment.
The Lord establishes a covenant with His people, laying out blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. In Leviticus 26:25, the "sword" is not just a random act of violence; it's described as avenging the "quarrel of my covenant." This highlights that the consequences are directly tied to breaking the sacred agreement made with God. When people turn away from the Lord and disregard His commands, they aren't just facing misfortune; they are facing divine judgment specifically for betraying the covenant relationship.
When disaster strikes, it often comes in waves. God's judgment in Leviticus 26 shows a terrifying progression, leaving nowhere to hide.
Leviticus 26:25 doesn't present a single, isolated disaster. It shows a compounding effect: first the sword (war and invasion), and then, when people flee into cities for safety, pestilence follows. This illustrates that God's judgment can be comprehensive, attacking His people even in their perceived places of security. The ultimate outcome is being 'delivered into the hand of the enemy.' This signifies a complete loss of control and sovereignty, with enemies able to inflict their will because the people are weakened and vulnerable, unable to defend themselves.
Understand the original words
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beriyth · Hebrew Noun
A solemn, binding agreement between God and His people, often involving conditional promises of blessing for obedience and curses for disobedience. It is the framework through which God enters into relationship with humanity.
naqam · Hebrew Noun
The righteous retributive justice of God. It is the exercise of God's authority to set things right, judge evil, and vindicate His holiness and His covenant commitments.
deber · Hebrew Noun
A fatal epidemic or widespread disease. In biblical contexts, it is often seen as a manifestation of divine judgment upon a sinful nation.
lechem · Hebrew Noun
The foundational source of physical sustenance provided by God, often used symbolically to represent life, spiritual nourishment, and divine provision. Its lack represents divine judgment.
This passage echoes Leviticus 26 by detailing the consequences of disobedience, specifically describing being struck down before enemies and fleeing without pursuit, which aligns with the 'sword' and 'hand of the enemy' mentioned in Leviticus.
Jeremiah 4:5-7Jeremiah's prophecy describes an enemy invasion causing people to flee to fortified cities, mirroring the scenario in Leviticus where people gather in cities for safety only to face pestilence and enemy capture.
Ezekiel 5:12This verse prophesies a 'third part' of the people dying by pestilence and another 'third part' by the sword, directly correlating with the instruments of judgment (sword and pestilence) and the fate of being delivered into the enemy's hand mentioned in Leviticus.
Psalm 107:34-40This psalm describes God turning a fruitful land into a barren wasteland and delivering people into the hands of enemies due to their wickedness, reflecting the consequences of breaking God's covenant outlined in Leviticus.
calvinLeviticus 26:14-45: "But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;"
I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain; for your enemies shall eat it.
Etiam ego faciam hoc vobis: constituam super vos terrorem, tabem, et febrem, consumentia oculos, et dolore afficientia animam, seretisque frustra semen vestrum: nam co…
pooleLeviticus 26:25: "And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy."
The quarrel of my covenant, i.e. my quarrel with you for your breach of your faith and covenant made with me. Into the hand of the enemy; because those few that shall be left of the pestilence will be unable to defend you in your cities or strong holds.
This verse reveals a chilling progression: first, a sword (war) comes to enforce the covenant, and then, when people flee into cities for safety, pestilence appears. This isn't just a sequence of disasters, but a divine strategy to ensure that even the places of supposed refuge become deadly traps, demonstrating that there's no escaping God's justice when a covenant is broken.
This passage is part of a lengthy covenant treaty where God outlines the blessings for obedience and the severe curses for disobedience. Having detailed the consequences of breaking the covenant, including widespread destruction and famine, God now describes the military and public health crises that will afflict Israel. If the people flee from invading armies and gather in their cities for safety, God declares that even these fortified places will not protect them, as He will send pestilence to decimate them, ultimately handing the survivors over to their enemies.
This passage is part of a lengthy covenant treaty where God outlines the blessings for obedience and the severe curses for disobedience. Having detailed the consequences of breaking the covenant, including widespread destruction and famine, God now describes the military and public health crises that will afflict Israel. If the people flee from invading armies and gather in their cities for safety, God declares that even these fortified places will not protect them, as He will send pestilence to decimate them, ultimately handing the survivors over to their enemies.
"And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall execute vengeance for the covenant. And if you gather within your cities, I will send pestilence among you, and you shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. When I break your supply of br…" — This verse reveals a chilling progression: first, a sword (war) comes to enforce the covenant, and then, when people flee into cities for safety, pestilence appears. This isn't just a sequence of d…
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Last reviewed October 2026
