Leviticus 26:42
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What's striking here is the order in which God lists the patriarchs. Instead of the usual Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, He flips it to Jacob, Isaac, Abraham. This subtle reversal emphasizes that even when His people are at their lowest, God's faithfulness is rooted in His earlier promises to all of them, demonstrating a deep, layered commitment.
then I will remember my covenant with Jacob, and I will remember my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage appears at the very end of Leviticus 26, following a lengthy and severe list of curses for disobedience. After detailing the devastating consequences of breaking the covenant, including exile and the land lying desolate, God declares that if the people will confess their sins and humble their hearts in exile, He will "remember" His covenant. This remembrance is not a passive recall but an active fulfillment of His promises, beginning with the patriarchs and culminating in a return to the land.
When God 'remembers' His covenant, it's not like us forgetting and then recalling. It signifies His active commitment to fulfill His promises.
The word 'remember' in relation to God's covenant isn't about a change in His divine mind. Instead, it's an active, volitional act of carrying out what He promised. This echoes His faithfulness, even when His people have strayed.
Why list Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with the covenant repeated for each? It points to distinct, layered promises foundational to God's people.
The repetition of 'my covenant' before each patriarch – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – isn't accidental. Ancient interpreters noted this emphasis, suggesting God was highlighting unique facets of His covenant established with each one:
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This layered emphasis shows the depth and specificity of God's commitments, extending through generations.
The final element God remembers is 'the land.' What does this signify beyond a geographical location?
When God remembers 'the land' in this context, it transcends mere territory. It represents:
This remembrance signifies not just a return to a place, but a restoration of relationship and divine favor.
Understand the original words
berit · Hebrew Noun
Refers to a relationship of mutual commitment and obligation established by God with humanity or specific individuals. It is based on God's faithfulness and grace rather than human merit, often involving promises, stipulations, and signs.
This passage explicitly details God's covenant with Abraham, laying the foundation for the subsequent covenants with Isaac and Jacob that are remembered in Leviticus 26:42.
Exodus 2:24Here, God 'remembers' His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, leading Him to hear the cries of the enslaved Israelites in Egypt, demonstrating the principle of God acting upon His covenant promises during times of distress.
Psalm 105:8-11This psalm directly echoes Leviticus 26:42, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham and His promise to give the land of Canaan to his descendants, showing this theme is a recurring motif in Israel's history.
Jeremiah 31:31-34This prophecy speaks of a 'new covenant' that God will make, contrasting with the conditional covenant in Leviticus but fundamentally rooted in remembering His people's sins and granting forgiveness, showing continuity in God's relational faithfulness.
Luke 1:68-75Zechariah's prophecy praises God for remembering His holy covenant and His oath to Abraham, directly linking the messianic redemption through Jesus to the fulfillment of these ancient patriarchal covenants.
ellicottLeviticus 26:42: "Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land."
(42) Then will I remember. —That is, perform the covenant God made. The expression “remember” frequently denotes “to be mindful,” “to perform,” especially when used with regard to God; as, for instance, “I have remembered my covenant,” &c. ( Exodus 6:5-6 ); “He remembered for them his covenant” ( Psalm 106:45 ). My cove…
gillLeviticus 26:42: "Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land."
Then i will also remember my covenant with Jacob,.... Would fulfil and make good all that he had promised in covenant with Jacob, and his posterity: the account begins with him, and rises upwards to Abraham, whereas it usually begins with Abraham, and descends to Jacob; no sufficient reason is given for this alteration,…
What's striking here is the order in which God lists the patriarchs. Instead of the usual Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, He flips it to Jacob, Isaac, Abraham. This subtle reversal emphasizes that even when His people are at their lowest, God's faithfulness is rooted in His earlier promises to all of them, demonstrating a deep, layered commitment.
This passage appears at the very end of Leviticus 26, following a lengthy and severe list of curses for disobedience. After detailing the devastating consequences of breaking the covenant, including exile and the land lying desolate, God declares that if the people will confess their sins and humble their hearts in exile, He will "remember" His covenant. This remembrance is not a passive recall but an active fulfillment of His promises, beginning with the patriarchs and culminating in a return to the land.
This passage appears at the very end of Leviticus 26, following a lengthy and severe list of curses for disobedience. After detailing the devastating consequences of breaking the covenant, including exile and the land lying desolate, God declares that if the people will confess their sins and humble their hearts in exile, He will "remember" His covenant. This remembrance is not a passive recall but an active fulfillment of His promises, beginning with the patriarchs and culminating in a return to the land.
"then I will remember my covenant with Jacob, and I will remember my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land." — What's striking here is the order in which God lists the patriarchs. Instead of the usual Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, He flips it to Jacob, Isaac, Abraham. This subtle reversal emphasizes that even when H…
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Last reviewed October 2026
