collapse all  

Text -- Leviticus 26:40 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
26:40 However, when they confess their iniquity and their ancestors’ iniquity which they committed by trespassing against me, by which they also walked in hostility against me
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Sabbatic Year | Reward | Repentant Ones | Repentance | Prayer | LEVITICUS, 2 | LEVITICUS, 1 | LAW IN THE OLD TESTAMENT | Heathen | God | FEVER | EZEKIEL, 2 | Disobedience to God | Covenant | Children | CRIME; CRIMES | CONTRARY | Blessing | Backsliders | ALPHA AND OMEGA | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable , Guzik

collapse all
Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Lev 26:40 - -- That is, with their prevarication with me and defection from me to idolatry, which by way of eminency he calls their trespass: and that also they have...

That is, with their prevarication with me and defection from me to idolatry, which by way of eminency he calls their trespass: and that also they have walked contrary to me, Lev 26:41, and that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies - That is, that they are not come into these calamities by chance, nor by the misfortune of war, but by my just judgment upon them. And, if then their uncircumcised, that is, impure, carnal, profane, and impenitent hearts be humbled, that is, subdued, purged, reformed: if to this confession they add sincere humiliation and reformation, I will do what follows.

JFB: Lev 26:40-45 - -- This passage holds out the gracious promise of divine forgiveness and favor on their repentance, and their happy restoration to their land, in memory ...

This passage holds out the gracious promise of divine forgiveness and favor on their repentance, and their happy restoration to their land, in memory of the covenant made with their fathers (Rom. 2:1-29).

Calvin: Lev 26:40 - -- 40.If they shall confess their iniquity. Although Moses has been discoursing of very severe and cruel punishments, still he declares that even in the...

40.If they shall confess their iniquity. Although Moses has been discoursing of very severe and cruel punishments, still he declares that even in the midst of this awful severity God is to be appeased if only the people should repent, notwithstanding that they may have stripped themselves of all hope of pardon by their long-continued sins. For he does not address sinners in general, but those who by their obstinacy and brutal impetuosity have come nearer and nearer to the vengeance of God; and even these he encourages to a good hope, if only they be converted from their hearts. Let us be assured, then, that God’s mercy is offered to the worst of men, who have been plunged by their guilt in the depths of despair, as though it reached even to hell itself. Whence, too, it follows, that all punishments are like spurs to rouse the inert and hesitating to repentance, whilst the sorer plagues are intended to break their hard hearts. Yet at the same time it must be observed that this favor is vouchsafed by special privilege to the Church of God; for Moses soon afterwards expressly assigns its cause, i e. , that God will remember His covenant. Whence it is plain that God, out of regard to His gratuitous adoption, will be gracious to the unworthy whom He has elected; and whence also it comes to pass, that, provided we do not close the gate of hope against ourselves, God will still voluntarily come forward to reconcile us to Himself, if only we lay hold of the covenant from which we have fallen by our own guilt, like ship-wrecked sailors seizing a plank to carry them safe into port. But it will be well for us earnestly to examine the fruits of repentance which Moses here enumerates. In the first place stands confession, not such as is exacted under the Papacy, that wretched men should unburden themselves in the ear of a priest ( sacrifici,) as if secretly disgorging their sins, but whereby they acknowledge themselves to be guilty before God. This confession stands contrasted both with the noisy complaints, and the subterfuges and evasions of the wicked. A memorable instance of it occurs in the case of David, who, when overwhelmed by the reproof of the Prophet Nathan, ingenuously confesses that he has sinned against God. (2Sa 12:13.) By the word “fathers” He magnifies the greatness of their sins, because for a long space of time they had not ceased to add sin to sin, as if the fathers had conspired with their children, and the children with their own descendants; and, since God is a just avenger even to the third and fourth generation, it is not without reason that posterity is commanded humbly to pray that God would pardon the guilt contracted long ago. Hence also it is plainly seen how little the imitation of their fathers will avail to extenuate the faults of the children, since we perceive that it renders them less excusable, so far is God from admitting this silly plea. It is further added, that their confession should correspond with the greatness of their transgressions, and that it should not be trifling and perfunctory; for although hypocrites, when convicted, do not deny that they have sinned, still in confessing they extenuate their guilt, as if they were only guilty of venial offenses. God, therefore, would have the circumstances of their sins taken into account, and this also He prescribes with respect to their obstinacy, lest they should pretend that their punishments were not deservedly redoubled, because they had walked 233 at adventures with God.

Finally, in order to prove the reality of their conversion, all dissembling is excluded by the humbling of their hearts; for it is as if God would reject their prayers, until in sincere and heart-felt humility they should seek for pardon. This humiliation is contrasted with security as well as with contumacy and pride; and it is also compared with circumcision, where the heart is called uncircumcised before it is subdued and reduced to obedience. For, whereas circumcision was a mark of distinction between the people of God and heathen nations, it must needs have been also a sign of regeneration. 234 But since the Jews neglected the truth, and foolishly and improperly gloried only in the outward symbol, Moses, by reproving the uncircumcision of their hearts, refutes that empty boast. Thus, as Paul testifies, unless the Law be obeyed, literal circumcision is useless, and is made into uncircumcision. (Rom 2:25.) So Moses accuses the Israelites of unfaithfulness, because they profess to be God’s holy people, whilst they cherish filthiness and uncleanness in their heart. The Prophets also often reproach them with being uncircumcised in heart, or in ears; and in this Stephen followed them. (Jer 6:10; Eze 44:7; Act 7:51.)

Others elicit a very different meaning from the words 235 which we have translated, “let them atone ( propitient) for their iniquity.” The noun used is עון , gnevon, which means both iniquity and punishment; and the verb רצה , ratzah, which is to expiate, or to esteem grateful, or to appease. Some, therefore, explain it, they shall bear their punishment patiently, or esteem it pleasant; but it appears to me that Moses connects with repentance the desire of appeasing God, without which men are never really dissatisfied with themselves, or renounce their sins; and his allusion is to the sacrifices and legal ablutions, whereby they reconciled themselves to God. The sum is, that when they shall seriously endeavor to return to God’s favor, He will be propitiated towards them on account of His covenant.

TSK: Lev 26:40 - -- confess : Num 5:7; Deu 4:29-31, Deu 30:1-3; Jos 7:19; 1Ki 8:33-36, 1Ki 8:47; Neh 9:2-5; Job 33:27, Job 33:28; Psa 32:5; Pro 28:13; Jer 31:18-20; Eze 3...

collapse all
Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Lev 26:3-45 - -- As "the book of the covenant"Exo. 20:22\endash 23:33 concludes with promises and warnings Exo 23:20-33, so does this collection of laws contained in...

As "the book of the covenant"Exo. 20:22\endash 23:33 concludes with promises and warnings Exo 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\endash 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.

Lev 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, called in Scripture the former and the latter rain Deu 11:14; Jer 5:24; Joe 2:23; Hos 6:3; Jam 5:7. The former or Autumn rain falls in heavy showers in November and December. In March the latter or Spring rain comes on, which is precarious in quantity and duration, and rarely lasts more than two days.

Lev 26:5

Compare the margin reference; Joe 2:19; Job 11:18.

Lev 26:8

Five of you shall chase - A proverbial mode of expression for superiority in warlike prowess Deu 32:30; Isa 30:17.

Lev 26:9

Establish my covenant - All material blessings were to be regarded in the light of seals of the "everlasting covenant."Compare Gen 17:4-8; Neh 9:23.

Lev 26:10

Bring forth the old because of the new - Rather, clear away the old before the new; that is, in order to make room for the latter. Compare the margin reference.

Lev 26:16

The first warning for disobedience is disease. "Terror"(literally trembling) is rendered trouble in Psa 78:33; Isa 65:23. It seems here to denote that terrible affliction, an anxious temperament, the mental state ever at war with Faith and Hope. This might well be placed at the head of the visitations on a backslider who had broken the covenant with his God. Compare Deu 32:25; Jer 15:8; Pro 28:1; Job 24:17; Psa 23:4.

Consumption, and the burning ague - Compare the margin reference. The first of the words in the original comes from a root signifying to waste away; the latter (better, fever), from one signifying to kindle a fire. Consumption is common in Egypt and some parts of Asia Minor, but it is more rare in Syria. Fevers of different kinds are the commonest of all diseases in Syria and all the neighboring countries. The opposite promise to the threat is given in Exo 15:26; Exo 23:25.

Lev 26:18

For all this - i. e. for all the afflictions in Lev 26:16-17.

Seven times - The sabbatical number is here proverbially used to remind the people of the covenant. Compare Gen 4:15, Gen 4:24; Psa 119:164; Pro 24:16; Luk 17:4.

Lev 26:19, Lev 26:20

The second warning is utter sterility of the soil. Compare Deu 11:17; Deu 28:18; Eze 33:28; Eze 36:34-35.

Lev 26:21, Lev 26:22

The third warning is the multiplication of destructive animals, etc. Compare Deu 32:24; Eze 5:17; Eze 14:15; Jdg 5:6-7; Isa 33:8.

Lev 26:23-26

The fourth warning. Yahweh now places Himself as it were in a hostile position toward His people who "will not be reformed"(rather, brought unto God: Jer 2:30). He will avenge the outraged cause of His covenant, by the sword, pestilence, famine, and captivity.

Lev 26:26

Omit "and.""To break the staff of bread,"was a proverbial expression for cutting off the supply of bread, the staff of life (Psa 105:16; Eze 4:16; Eze 5:16; Eze 14:13; compare Isa 3:1). The supply was to be so reduced that one oven would suffice for baking the bread maple by ten women for ten families, and when made it was to be dealt out in sparing rations by weight. See 2Ki 6:25; Jer 14:18; Lam 4:9; Eze 5:12; Hos 4:10; Mic 6:14; Hag 1:6.

Lev 26:27-33

The fifth warning. For Lev 26:29 see 2Ki 6:28-29; Jer 19:8-9; Lam 2:20; Lam 4:10; Eze 5:10, for Lev 26:30 see 2Ch 34:3; Eze 6:4; Jer 14:19, for Lev 26:31 see 2Ki 25:9; Psa 74:6-7 : for Lev 26:32-33 see Deu 28:37; Psa 44:11; Jer 9:16; Jer 18:16; Ezek. 5:1-17; Jer 4:7; Eze 9:6; Eze 12:15; Zec 7:14.

Lev 26:30

High places - There is no doubt that the word here denotes elevated spots dedicated to false worship (see Deu 12:2), and especially, it would seem, to that of Baal Num 22:41; Jos 13:17. Such spots were, however, employed and approved for the worship of Yahweh, not only before the building of the temple, but afterward (Jdg 6:25-26; Jdg 13:16-23; 1Sa 7:10; 1Sa 16:5; 1Ki 3:2; 1Ki 18:30; 2Ki 12:3; 1Ch 21:26, etc.). The three altars built by Abraham at Shechem, between Bethel and Ai, and at Mamre, appear to have been on heights, and so was the temple.

The high places in the holy land may thus have been divided into those dedicated to the worship of Yahweh, and those which had been dedicated to idols. And it would seem as if there was a constant struggle going on. The high places polluted by idol worship were of course to be wholly condemned. They were probably resorted to only to gratify a degraded superstition. See Lev 19:31; Lev 20:2-5. The others might have been innocently used for prayer and religious teaching. But the temptation appears to have been too great for the temper of the people. They offered sacrifice and burnt incense on them; and hence, thorough reformers of the national religion, such as Hezekiah and Josiah, removed the high places altogether 2Ki 18:4; 2Ki 23:5.

Your images - The original word is rendered in the margin of our Bible sun images (2Ch 14:5; Isa 17:8; Eze 6:4, etc.). Phoenician inscriptions prove that the word was commonly applied to images of Baal and Astarte, the god of the sun and the goddess of the moon. This exactly explains 2Ch 34:4 following.

Idols - The Hebrew word here literally means things which could be rolled about, such as a block of wood or a lump of dirt. It was no doubt a name given in derision. Compare Isa 40:20; Isa 44:19; 2Ki 1:2.

Lev 26:31

Sanctuaries - The holy places in the tabernacle and the temple (Psa 68:35. Compare Psa 74:7).

I will not smell the savor ... - See Lev 1:9.

Lev 26:35

More literally: All the days of its desolation shall it rest that time which it rested not in your Sabbaths while ye dwelt upon it. That is, the periods of rest of which the land had been deprived would be made up to it. Compare 2Ch 36:20-21.

Lev 26:38

The land of your enemies shall eat you up - Compare Num 13:32; Eze 36:13.

Lev 26:39

Iniquity - The meaning here is, in the punishment of their iniquity, and, in the next clause, in the punishment of the iniquity (as in Lev 26:41, Lev 26:43) of their fathers. In the next verse the same Hebrew word is properly represented by "iniquity."Our translators have in several places put one of the English words in the text and the other in the margin (Gen 4:13; Gen 19:15; 2Ki 7:9; Psa 69:27, etc.). The language of Scripture does not make that trenchant division between sin and punishment which we are accustomed to do. Sin is its own punishment, having in itself, from its very commencement, the germ of death. "Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death"Jam 1:15; Rom 2:5; Rom 5:12.

Lev 26:40

trespass - The Hebrew word signifies an injury inflicted on the rights of a person, as distinguished from a sin or iniquity regarded as an outrage of the divine law. Every wrong act is of course both a sin and a trespass against God. In this place Yahweh takes the breach of the covenant as a personal trespass.

Lev 26:41

Uncircumcised hearts - The outward sign of the covenant might be preserved, but the answering grace in the heart would be wanting (Act 7:51; Rom 2:28-29; Jer 6:10; Jer 9:26; compare Col 2:11).

Accept of the punishment of their iniquity - literally, enjoy their iniquity. The word here and in Lev 26:43 rendered "accept"in this phrase, is the same as is rendered "enjoy"in the expression "the land shall enjoy her sabbaths"Lev 26:34. The antithesis in Lev 26:43 is this: The land shall enjoy her sabbaths - and they shall enjoy the punishment of their iniquity. The meaning is, that the land being desolate shall have the blessing of rest, and they having repented shall have the blessing of chastisement. The feelings of a devout captive Israelite are beautifully expressed in Tobit 13:1-18.

Poole: Lev 26:40 - -- If they shall confess Heb. And they shall confess , where our translation and many others understand the particle if , which is also wanting and un...

If they shall confess Heb. And they shall confess , where our translation and many others understand the particle if , which is also wanting and understood, Exo 4:23 Mal 1:2 3:8 . So here, And if they shall confess , &c.

But there seems no necessity of any such supplement, but these and the following words may be taken as they lie in their plain and proper signification, to this purpose, Lev 26:40 , And through the heaviness and extraordinariness of their affliction, their consciences will force them to confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they have trespassed against me , i.e. with their prevarication with me and defection from me to idolatry, which by way of eminency he calls their trespass;

and that also they have walked contrary to me Lev 26:41 , and that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies ; i.e. that they are not come into these calamities by chance, nor by the misfortune of war, but by my just judgment upon them. All which confession is no more than Pharaoh made in his distresses, and than hypocrites in their affliction use to make. And therefore he adds, if then their uncircumcised , i.e. impure, carnal, profane, and impenitent hearts be humbled , i.e. subdued, purged, reformed; if to this confession they add sincere humiliation and reformation, I will do what follows.

Gill: Lev 26:40 - -- If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers,.... The Targum of Jonathan adds,"in the time of their distress;''which might ...

If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers,.... The Targum of Jonathan adds,"in the time of their distress;''which might serve to bring their sins to remembrance, and them to a confession of them, not only of their own sins, but of their fathers' also; acknowledging thereby that they had been guilty of sinning against God for a long course of years past; and that God had been long suffering towards them, and bore much with them before he brought his judgments on them, which were just, and what they righteously deserved; and such a confession Daniel made, Dan 9:4; and the words may as well be rendered absolute as conditional, or better, and as a prediction of what would be done by them when in captivity and distress, "and they shall confess their iniquity" c; with shame and sorrow, with repentance for it, and abhorrence of it; or otherwise, if the confession was only verbal and hypocritical, it would not be acceptable:

with their trespass which they trespassed against me; along with their own iniquities, and those of their fathers, they should confess, their trespass against the Lord would be acknowledged by them; which seems to design some particular and grievous sin committed by them, by which perhaps is meant their idolatry, a capital sin, directly against God, and what those people were prone unto:

and that also they have walked contrary unto me; to his mind and will, to his laws, commands, statutes, and ordinances, disregarding him and them, as if enemies to him; or "by chance"; See Gill on Lev 26:21.

expand all
Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Lev 26:40 Heb “with me.”

expand all
Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Lev 26:1-46 - --1 Of idolatry.2 Religiousness.3 A blessing to them that keep the commandments.14 A curse to those that break them.40 God promises to remember them tha...

MHCC: Lev 26:40-46 - --Among the Israelites, persons were not always prosperous or afflicted according to their obedience or disobedience. But national prosperity was the ef...

Matthew Henry: Lev 26:40-46 - -- Here the chapter concludes with gracious promises of the return of God's favour to them upon their repentance, that they might not (unless it were t...

Keil-Delitzsch: Lev 26:40-43 - -- In this state of pining away under their enemies, they would confess to themselves their own and their fathers' sins, i.e., would make the discovery...

Constable: Lev 17:1--27:34 - --II. The private worship of the Israelites chs. 17--27 The second major division of Leviticus deals with how the ...

Constable: Lev 26:1-46 - --G. PROMISES AND WARNINGS ch. 26 "In the ancient Near East it was customary for legal treaties to conclud...

Constable: Lev 26:34-46 - --4. The objective of God's judgments in relation to the land and the nation of Israel 26:34-46 In this section God explained that His discipline for di...

Guzik: Lev 26:1-46 - --Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses A. Blessings and curses for Israel. 1. (1-13) Blessings for obedience. You shall not make idols for yourselves...

expand all
Introduction / Outline

JFB: Leviticus (Book Introduction) LEVITICUS. So called from its treating of the laws relating to the ritual, the services, and sacrifices of the Jewish religion, the superintendence of...

JFB: Leviticus (Outline) BURNT OFFERINGS OF THE HERD. (Lev. 1:1-17) THE MEAT OFFERINGS. (Lev. 2:1-16) THE PEACE OFFERING OF THE HERD. (Lev. 3:1-17) SIN OFFERING OF IGNORANCE....

TSK: Leviticus (Book Introduction) Leviticus is a most interesting and important book; a book containing a code of sacrificial, ceremonial, civil, and judicial laws, which, for the puri...

TSK: Leviticus 26 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Lev 26:1, Of idolatry; Lev 26:2, Religiousness; Lev 26:3, A blessing to them that keep the commandments; Lev 26:14, A curse to those that...

Poole: Leviticus (Book Introduction) THIRD BOOK OF MOSES CALLED LEVITICUS THE ARGUMENT This Book, containing the actions of about one month’ s space, acquainteth us with the Lev...

Poole: Leviticus 26 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 26 God commands them to shun idolatry, Lev 26:1 , keep his sabbaths, and reverence his sanctuary, Lev 26:2 , and walk in his statutes, Lev ...

MHCC: Leviticus (Book Introduction) God ordained divers kinds of oblations and sacrifices, to assure his people of the forgiveness of their offences, if they offered them in true faith a...

MHCC: Leviticus 26 (Chapter Introduction) (Lev 26:1-13) Promises upon keeping the precepts. (v. 14-39) Threatenings against disobedience. (Lev 26:40-46) God promises to remember those that r...

Matthew Henry: Leviticus (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Third Book of Moses, Called Leviticus There is nothing historical in all this book of Leviticus exc...

Matthew Henry: Leviticus 26 (Chapter Introduction) This chapter is a solemn conclusion of the main body of the levitical law. The precepts that follow in this and the following book either relate to...

Constable: Leviticus (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The Hebrews derived the title of this book from the first word in i...

Constable: Leviticus (Outline) Outline "At first sight the book of Leviticus might appear to be a haphazard, even repetitious arrangement of en...

Constable: Leviticus Leviticus Bibliography Aharoni, Yohanan, and Michael Avi-Yonah. The Macmillan Bible Atlas. Revised ed. New York...

Haydock: Leviticus (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION. The Book is called Leviticus : because it treats of the offices, ministries, rites and ceremonies of the Priests and Levites. The H...

Gill: Leviticus (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS This book is commonly called by the Jews Vajikra, from the first word with which it begins, and sometimes תורת כהנ...

Gill: Leviticus 26 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 26 In this chapter, after a repetition of some laws against idolatry, and concerning keeping sabbaths, and reverencing th...

Advanced Commentary (Dictionaries, Hymns, Arts, Sermon Illustration, Question and Answers, etc)


created in 0.07 seconds
powered by
bible.org - YLSA