Leviticus 26:39
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse reveals a profound concept: the survivors will suffer not only for their own wrongdoings but also for the unaddressed sins of their ancestors. It highlights that consequences can ripple through generations, impacting those who didn't personally commit the original transgressions.
And those of you who are left shall rot away in your enemies’ lands because of their iniquity, and also because of the iniquities of their fathers they shall rot away like them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is the culmination of a long and dire warning from God about the consequences of disobedience. After detailing a series of escalating punishments—from disease and famine to military defeat and exile—this passage describes the final, lingering suffering of those who survive. They will not only waste away in their enemies' lands due to their own persistent sin, but also because of the inherited guilt and ongoing consequences of their ancestors' transgressions, a cycle of sorrow that continues even after the initial calamities.
What does it mean to 'rot away' in a foreign land? This isn't just about physical death, but a deeper, lingering consequence of sin.
The verse paints a grim picture of those who survive the initial calamities. The Hebrew word often translated as 'rot away' or 'pine away' suggests a gradual, wasting decay. This isn't a quick end, but a slow dissolution of life and hope.
A Lingering Consequence
The verse doesn't just blame the individuals; it points to a heavier burden: the sins of their fathers. How does this work?
This verse introduces a profound and challenging concept: the ripple effect of sin across generations. It's not just about individual failings, but how the iniquities of ancestors can impact their descendants.
Ask a follow-up
The Weight of Ancestry
Understand the original words
ʿāwōn · Hebrew Noun
Moral failure, perversity, or guilt resulting from sin. It refers to the twisting or distortion of one's character away from God's standard, carrying both the act of sin and the resulting liability for punishment.
This passage describes a similar fate of lingering suffering and regret for the survivors of a fallen nation, directly paralleling the 'pining away' described in Leviticus 26:39.
Jeremiah 17:21-23This passage highlights the consequence of violating the Sabbath, which is a specific instance of disobedience that could lead to national calamity and the eventual desolation and captivity described in Leviticus 26.
Matthew 23:35-36Jesus speaks of the consequence of rejecting God's messengers, leading to the full measure of guilt being poured out on that generation, echoing the idea of ancestral iniquity contributing to present suffering.
Romans 2:5This verse speaks of the hardening of one's heart leading to treasuring up wrath for the day of judgment, which connects to the idea in Leviticus 26:39 that continued iniquity, even inherited, leads to prolonged suffering and judgment.
Deuteronomy 28:64-66This passage vividly describes the scattering of Israel among the nations and the resulting fear and despair, which is a direct expansion of the fate described in Leviticus 26:39 for those left in their enemies' lands.
ellicottLeviticus 26:39: "And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them."
(39) And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity. —Better, But those that remain of you shall pine away because of their iniquity, that is, those who will survive the terrible doom described under the five warnings, will pine away with grief, reflecting upon their sins which have brought upon th…
gillLeviticus 26:39: "And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them."
And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands,.... Such as were not taken off by any public calamity, as the sword or pestilence should gradually diminish and melt away like wax before the fire, and die in and for their iniquities in an enemy's country, see Ezekiel 24:23 , a…
This verse reveals a profound concept: the survivors will suffer not only for their own wrongdoings but also for the unaddressed sins of their ancestors. It highlights that consequences can ripple through generations, impacting those who didn't personally commit the original transgressions.
This verse is the culmination of a long and dire warning from God about the consequences of disobedience. After detailing a series of escalating punishments—from disease and famine to military defeat and exile—this passage describes the final, lingering suffering of those who survive. They will not only waste away in their enemies' lands due to their own persistent sin, but also because of the inherited guilt and ongoing consequences of their ancestors' transgressions, a cycle of sorrow that continues even after the initial calamities.
This verse is the culmination of a long and dire warning from God about the consequences of disobedience. After detailing a series of escalating punishments—from disease and famine to military defeat and exile—this passage describes the final, lingering suffering of those who survive. They will not only waste away in their enemies' lands due to their own persistent sin, but also because of the inherited guilt and ongoing consequences of their ancestors' transgressions, a cycle of sorrow that continues even after the initial calamities.
"And those of you who are left shall rot away in your enemies’ lands because of their iniquity, and also because of the iniquities of their fathers they shall rot away like them." — This verse reveals a profound concept: the survivors will suffer not only for their own wrongdoings but also for the unaddressed sins of their ancestors. It highlights that consequences can ripple th…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
