Leviticus 26:28 - then I will walk contrary to you in wrath. I will also chastise you seven times for your sins.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Leviticus 26:28" mean?
Leviticus 26:28 is a stark warning within a larger section (Leviticus 26:14-39) outlining the consequences of disobedience to God's covenant. Let's break down the meaning of this specific verse:
"Then I will walk contrary to you in wrath..." This is the core of the verse. "Walking contrary" implies opposition, a direct reversal of God's expected relationship with His people. Instead of leading and blessing them, God will become their adversary. The addition of "in wrath" clarifies the motive behind this opposition: God's anger and righteous indignation due to their persistent disobedience. It emphasizes that God is not acting arbitrarily, but responding to their deliberate violations of His covenant.
"I will also chastise you seven times for your sins..." "Chastise" means to punish, discipline, or correct. God's intention is not simply to inflict pain but to bring His people to repentance and back to Him. The phrase "seven times" is significant. It doesn't necessarily mean exactly seven individual punishments. Instead, "seven" often symbolizes completeness or fullness. In this context, it suggests that God's chastisement will be complete and thorough—fitting and proportional to the accumulated weight of their sins. It also implies an escalation of punishment compared to the previous warnings in the chapter. God is not just gently nudging them; He is delivering a forceful corrective action to get their attention.
In Summary:
Leviticus 26:28 describes a severe consequence for sustained disobedience to God's covenant. It signifies that God, in His righteous anger, will turn against His people, acting as their adversary and inflicting complete and fitting punishment to bring them back to Himself.
Key Points to Consider:
Covenant Context: This verse is part of a larger covenant agreement. God's blessings are conditional upon obedience. Disobedience brings curses.
Purpose of Punishment: While the verse speaks of wrath and chastisement, the ultimate goal is restorative. God desires repentance and a return to a right relationship with Him.
Progressive Escalation: The punishments described in Leviticus 26 escalate with continued disobedience, indicating the increasing seriousness of their actions.
Symbolic Language: The number "seven" is often symbolic, suggesting completeness and fullness, rather than a literal number.
Relevance Today: While the specific covenant was with ancient Israel, the underlying principles of obedience, consequences, and God's desire for a right relationship remain relevant for believers today. The verse serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the importance of living in accordance with God's will.
It is essential to interpret this verse in the context of the entire chapter and the broader narrative of the Old Testament. God's justice and love are both evident in this passage. He is a God who keeps His promises, both the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience, with the ultimate goal of restoring His people to Himself.
Leviticus 26:28 - then I will walk contrary to you in wrath. I will also chastise you seven times for your sins.
What does "Leviticus 26:28" mean?
Leviticus 26:28 is a stark warning within a larger section (Leviticus 26:14-39) outlining the consequences of disobedience to God's covenant. Let's break down the meaning of this specific verse:
"Then I will walk contrary to you in wrath..." This is the core of the verse. "Walking contrary" implies opposition, a direct reversal of God's expected relationship with His people. Instead of leading and blessing them, God will become their adversary. The addition of "in wrath" clarifies the motive behind this opposition: God's anger and righteous indignation due to their persistent disobedience. It emphasizes that God is not acting arbitrarily, but responding to their deliberate violations of His covenant.
"I will also chastise you seven times for your sins..." "Chastise" means to punish, discipline, or correct. God's intention is not simply to inflict pain but to bring His people to repentance and back to Him. The phrase "seven times" is significant. It doesn't necessarily mean exactly seven individual punishments. Instead, "seven" often symbolizes completeness or fullness. In this context, it suggests that God's chastisement will be complete and thorough—fitting and proportional to the accumulated weight of their sins. It also implies an escalation of punishment compared to the previous warnings in the chapter. God is not just gently nudging them; He is delivering a forceful corrective action to get their attention.
In Summary:
Leviticus 26:28 describes a severe consequence for sustained disobedience to God's covenant. It signifies that God, in His righteous anger, will turn against His people, acting as their adversary and inflicting complete and fitting punishment to bring them back to Himself.
Key Points to Consider:
Covenant Context: This verse is part of a larger covenant agreement. God's blessings are conditional upon obedience. Disobedience brings curses.
Purpose of Punishment: While the verse speaks of wrath and chastisement, the ultimate goal is restorative. God desires repentance and a return to a right relationship with Him.
Progressive Escalation: The punishments described in Leviticus 26 escalate with continued disobedience, indicating the increasing seriousness of their actions.
Symbolic Language: The number "seven" is often symbolic, suggesting completeness and fullness, rather than a literal number.
Relevance Today: While the specific covenant was with ancient Israel, the underlying principles of obedience, consequences, and God's desire for a right relationship remain relevant for believers today. The verse serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the importance of living in accordance with God's will.
It is essential to interpret this verse in the context of the entire chapter and the broader narrative of the Old Testament. God's justice and love are both evident in this passage. He is a God who keeps His promises, both the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience, with the ultimate goal of restoring His people to Himself.