Leviticus 26:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

Complete Jewish Bible:

but I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.

Berean Standard Bible:

I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people.

American Standard Version:

And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And I will walk^{H1980} among^{H8432} you, and will be^{H1961} your God^{H430}, and ye shall be^{H1961} my people^{H5971}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Leviticus 26:12

Leviticus 26:12 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus known as the Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-26), which outlines various laws and rituals to ensure the spiritual purity and moral integrity of the Israelite community. This verse is situated within a series of blessings and curses (Leviticus 26:3-45) that God promises will follow from the people's obedience or disobedience to His commandments.

**Themes:**
1. **Divine Presence:** The promise of God walking among His people emphasizes His immanence and the special relationship He has with Israel. It signifies the mutual commitment between God and the Israelites.

2. **Covenant Relationship:** The verse reflects the covenantal nature of God's interaction with Israel. God's commitment to be their God and their commitment to be His people is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, highlighting the conditional nature of the covenant based on adherence to the law.

3. **Blessings for Obedience:** Leviticus 26:12 is part of a list of blessings that God will bestow upon the Israelites if they follow His statutes. These blessings include peace, security, and divine favor.

**Historical Context:**
- **Exodus and Sinai:** The book of Leviticus is traditionally ascribed to Moses and is set in the context of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, with Leviticus 26 coming after the establishment of the Tabernacle as the center of worship.

- **Covenant Renewal:** The Holiness Code, including the blessings and curses, serves as a form of covenant renewal, reminding the people of their obligations and the consequences of their actions as they prepare to enter Canaan.

- **Priestly Authorship:** Scholars often attribute the priestly source (P) to the composition of Leviticus, reflecting the concerns of the priestly class in ancient Israel, particularly regarding ritual purity and the proper worship of God.

- **Post-Exilic Editing:** Some scholars suggest that parts of Leviticus, including the Holiness Code, may have been edited or compiled during the post-exilic period (after the Babylonian Exile in the 6th century BCE), to reinforce communal identity and religious practice among the returned exiles.

In summary, Leviticus 26:12 is a key verse in the Holiness Code that underscores the themes of divine presence, covenant relationship, and the blessings that accompany obedience to God's laws. It is set against the backdrop of the Israelites' formative journey and serves to reinforce the importance of maintaining a holy community in accordance with God's commandments.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1980
   There are 468 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָלַךְ
   Transliteration: hâlak
   Pronunciation: haw-lak'
   Description: akin to יָלַךְ; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively); (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl.
   
2. Strong's Number: H8432
   There are 390 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תָּוֶךְ
   Transliteration: tâvek
   Pronunciation: taw'-vek
   Description: from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre; among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in).
   
3. Strong's Number: H1961
   There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָיָה
   Transliteration: hâyâh
   Pronunciation: haw-yaw
   Description: a primitive root (compare הָוָא); to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary); beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use.
   
4. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5971
   There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַם
   Transliteration: ʻam
   Pronunciation: am
   Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.