Leviticus 23:29

KJV

For whatsoever soul [it be] that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.

KJV (with Strong's)

For whatsoever soul {H5315} it be that shall not be afflicted {H6031} in that same {H6106} day {H3117}, he shall be cut off {H3772} from among his people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Anyone who does not deny himself on that day is to be cut off from his people;

Berean Standard Bible

If anyone does not humble himself on this day, he must be cut off from his people.

American Standard Version

For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day; he shall be cut off from his people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 23:29 underscores the solemnity and absolute necessity of observing the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) for every Israelite. It mandates that any individual who fails to "afflict" their soul on this most sacred day of national repentance and purification will face the severe consequence of being "cut off from among his people." This command highlights God's unwavering demand for holiness, genuine contrition, and full participation in the divinely ordained means of atonement within the covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 23 meticulously details the Lord's appointed feasts (mo'adim), outlining the annual cycle of sacred times and assemblies for Israel. These include the Sabbath, Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Weeks (Pentecost), Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. Verses 26-32 specifically describe the regulations for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), which is presented as the most solemn day of the year. Leviticus 23:29 is a direct, emphatic command within this section, immediately following the declaration of the day's holiness and preceding further instructions regarding work prohibitions and the ultimate consequence for non-observance. It serves as a stark warning, reinforcing the gravity of this annual corporate and individual purification.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Day of Atonement was the singular day in the Israelite calendar when the high priest entered the Most Holy Place to make atonement for the sins of the entire nation, as extensively detailed in [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement Rituals"). The command to "afflict one's soul" (KJV) on this day was a crucial and non-negotiable aspect of its observance. This affliction primarily involved a complete fast from food and drink, but it also encompassed a broader posture of humility, self-denial, introspection, and sincere repentance before God. It was a visible and internal demonstration of contrition for sins committed throughout the year, acknowledging one's unworthiness and absolute dependence on God's mercy for cleansing. The consequence of being "cut off from among his people" was a severe covenant penalty, signifying excommunication from the community, loss of its social and spiritual blessings, and often implying divine judgment, potentially even premature death, for defiant disobedience to God's sacred commands.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **afflicted (Hebrew, _'anah'_):** This verb (עָנָה) carries a rich semantic range, including "to humble oneself," "to be bowed down," "to suffer," or "to fast." In the context of the Day of Atonement, it specifically denotes a spiritual discipline involving self-denial, most notably fasting, as an outward expression of inner contrition and humility before God. It signifies a profound acknowledgment of one's sinfulness and a posture of dependence on divine grace for forgiveness and purification.
* **cut off (Hebrew, _karat'_):** The verb (כָּרַת) is a powerful and frequently used term in the Pentateuch, signifying a severe penalty. It implies a complete severing or excision from the covenant community. This could manifest as excommunication from social and religious life, forfeiture of covenant blessings, and, critically, divine judgment that could include premature physical death. It underscores the gravity of violating fundamental covenant stipulations and the absolute necessity of participating in the prescribed means of atonement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For whatsoever soul [it be]":** This opening phrase emphasizes the individual responsibility of every single Israelite. The requirement for affliction and the consequence for non-compliance applied universally, regardless of status or position within the community. No one was exempt from the personal obligation to observe this sacred day.
* **"that shall not be afflicted in that same day":** This clause specifies the core requirement for the Day of Atonement: the spiritual discipline of "afflicting the soul." As discussed, this primarily involved fasting and a posture of deep humility and repentance. Failure to engage in this act of self-abasement and contrition meant a defiant disregard for God's command and the solemnity of the day dedicated to national and individual purification.
* **"he shall be cut off from among his people":** This is the severe and non-negotiable consequence for disobedience. Being "cut off" meant being expelled from the covenant community of Israel, losing all the spiritual, social, and protective benefits of being part of God's chosen people. It was a divine judgment that severed the individual's relationship with the community and, by extension, with God Himself, highlighting the extreme seriousness of neglecting the prescribed means of atonement.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 23:29 employs several literary devices to emphasize its gravity. The most prominent is **Legal Stipulation**, as the verse presents a direct, non-negotiable command with a clear, severe consequence, characteristic of covenant law. The phrase "he shall be cut off from among his people" functions as a **Sanction** or **Penalty Clause**, directly linking disobedience to a specific and dire outcome. The use of "whatsoever soul" demonstrates **Universality**, underscoring that this command applied to every individual within the covenant, leaving no room for exception. Furthermore, the stark contrast between the required "affliction" and the resulting "cutting off" creates a powerful **Dichotomy**, highlighting the absolute necessity of obedience for continued inclusion in God's people. The severity of the consequence also serves as a form of **Emphasis**, ensuring the reader fully grasps the critical importance of the Day of Atonement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 23:29 profoundly illustrates several core theological truths. It underscores the absolute holiness of God and the seriousness of sin, demonstrating that willful disregard for His commands, especially those pertaining to atonement, incurs severe divine judgment. The requirement to "afflict the soul" speaks to the timeless necessity of genuine repentance, humility, and self-denial as prerequisites for approaching a holy God and receiving His forgiveness. This verse also highlights the corporate nature of the covenant, where individual obedience (or disobedience) had implications for one's standing within the community of God's people. Ultimately, it points to humanity's inherent need for atonement and the divinely appointed means by which reconciliation with God could be achieved.

* [Leviticus 16:29](/leviticus/16-29 "Leviticus 16:29 - Command to Afflict Souls on Yom Kippur")
* [Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30 "Numbers 15:30-31 - Punishment for High-Handed Sin")
* [Psalm 35:13](/psalm/35-13 "Psalm 35:13 - Afflicting the Soul in Prayer and Fasting")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament, including the specific rituals of the Day of Atonement, find their ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the underlying principles of Leviticus 23:29 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring seriousness of sin in God's eyes and the non-negotiable call for humility and repentance in our relationship with Him. We are called to regularly examine our hearts, acknowledge our shortcomings, and confess our sins, not as a means to earn salvation, but as an expression of our dependence on God's grace and the atoning work of Christ. The concept of "afflicting the soul" encourages a posture of spiritual discipline, self-denial, and earnest seeking of God, recognizing that our spiritual vitality is rooted in His mercy, not our own merit. It challenges us to guard against spiritual apathy and to continually value the profound gift of atonement provided through Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Leviticus 23:29 deepen our understanding of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin?**
* **In what ways can we "afflict our souls" today, recognizing our dependence on God's grace and Christ's atonement?**
* **What does being "cut off" from God's people signify in a New Covenant context, and how can we guard against spiritual apathy or willful disobedience?**

### FAQ
**What does "afflict your souls" mean in a modern context for Christians?**

Answer: For Christians, "afflicting the soul" does not refer to the specific Old Testament ritual of fasting for atonement, as Christ has provided the perfect and final atonement. However, the underlying principles of humility, self-denial, repentance, and earnest seeking of God remain vital. In a modern context, it can mean engaging in spiritual disciplines like fasting (for spiritual focus, not atonement), prayer, self-examination, confession of sin, and actively humbling oneself before God. It's about acknowledging our ongoing need for God's grace, resisting the desires of the flesh, and prioritizing our spiritual growth and dependence on Him above worldly comforts or self-sufficiency.

**Was "cut off from among his people" always literal death?**

Answer: The phrase "cut off from among his people" (Hebrew: _karat_) did not always imply immediate physical death, though it could certainly lead to it through divine judgment (e.g., [Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30 "Numbers 15:30-31 - Punishment for High-Handed Sin")). More broadly, it signified a severe form of excommunication and divine judgment. It meant being removed from the covenant community, losing the social, religious, and protective benefits of being part of Israel. This could include social ostracism, exclusion from worship, and the forfeiture of one's inheritance or place within the tribal structure. Fundamentally, it was a severing of the individual's relationship with God's chosen people and, by extension, with the covenant blessings and presence of God Himself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 23:29, with its stern warning against neglecting the Day of Atonement, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect atonement found in Jesus Christ. The "affliction of soul" and the severe consequence of being "cut off" highlight humanity's profound need for a mediator and a final sacrifice for sin. The Old Testament Day of Atonement rituals, including the suffering of the sacrificial animals and the high priest's solemn duties, were but shadows pointing to the reality of Christ. Jesus, as our perfect High Priest, entered the true heavenly sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own precious blood, securing an eternal redemption for us ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ, Our High Priest and Perfect Sacrifice")). His suffering on the cross was the ultimate "affliction" that bore the full weight of humanity's sin, satisfying God's righteous demands. Through His once-for-all sacrifice ([Hebrews 10:1-18](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-18 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")), those who believe are no longer "cut off" from God's presence but are reconciled to Him ([Romans 5:10-11](/romans/5-10 "Romans 5:10-11 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Death")) and eternally grafted into His spiritual people. The warning of being "cut off" now finds its spiritual parallel in the necessity of abiding in Christ; those who do not remain in Him risk being "thrown away as a branch and withers" ([John 15:6](/john/15-6 "John 15:6 - Remaining in Christ")), emphasizing the ongoing need for faith and obedience in the New Covenant.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 17:14

And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

Numbers 5:2

Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that hath an issue, and whosoever is defiled by the dead:

Leviticus 23:32

It [shall be] unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth [day] of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.

Jeremiah 31:9

They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim [is] my firstborn.

Leviticus 23:27

Also on the tenth [day] of this seventh month [there shall be] a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Ezekiel 7:16

¶ But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.

Isaiah 22:12

And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: