Leviticus 26:14

KJV

¶ But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;

KJV (with Strong's)

But if ye will not hearken {H8085} unto me, and will not do {H6213} all these commandments {H4687};

Complete Jewish Bible

"'But if you will not listen to me and obey all these mitzvot,

Berean Standard Bible

If, however, you fail to obey Me and to carry out all these commandments,

American Standard Version

But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 26:14 marks a critical juncture in God's covenant with Israel, transitioning from a detailed enumeration of blessings for obedience to the stark consequences of disobedience. This verse serves as the foundational premise for the ensuing catalogue of curses, underscoring the conditional nature of the Mosaic Covenant and highlighting God's expectation of wholehearted adherence to His commandments as a prerequisite for continued favor and flourishing in the Promised Land. It establishes the gravity of Israel's choice: to walk in alignment with divine instruction or to incur severe judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 26:14 initiates a lengthy and somber section (extending through [Leviticus 26:39](/leviticus/26-39 "Leviticus 26:14-39 - The Curses for Disobedience")) that details the curses and punishments Israel would face for covenant unfaithfulness. This follows directly from the preceding verses ([Leviticus 26:3-13](/leviticus/26-3 "Leviticus 26:3-13 - The Blessings for Obedience")), which meticulously outline the abundant blessings promised for obedience, including rain, bountiful harvests, peace, security, and God's abiding presence. The immediate juxtaposition of blessings and curses in [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses") emphasizes the binary choice presented to Israel: life and prosperity through obedience, or destruction and exile through rebellion. This structure is characteristic of covenant documents in the ancient Near East, where the terms of a suzerain-vassal treaty would typically conclude with a section of blessings for loyalty and curses for disloyalty.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This declaration is given to the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai, shortly after their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage. They are on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey, but its possession and their continued flourishing within it are contingent upon their fidelity to the covenant established with Yahweh. The Mosaic Covenant, unlike the Abrahamic Covenant, was conditional, requiring Israel's active participation and obedience. The concept of a suzerain (God) laying out terms for His vassal (Israel) was a familiar framework in the ancient Near East, where powerful kings would establish treaties with lesser nations. These treaties often included elaborate lists of blessings and curses, serving as both incentive for loyalty and deterrents against rebellion. Thus, when God declares, "But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments," He is speaking in a culturally intelligible manner, asserting His divine authority and the binding nature of the agreement, reinforcing that their future well-being as a nation was inextricably linked to their obedience to His revealed will. The warnings here foreshadow the historical cycles of apostasy and judgment that would later plague Israel, culminating in the Babylonian exile, as detailed in books like [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "2 Kings - History of Israel and Judah") and [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "Jeremiah - Prophecies of Judgment and Restoration").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hearken (Hebrew, _shama'_):** This verb means far more than merely to hear with the ears; it signifies attentive listening that leads to understanding, internalizing, and, most importantly, obedient action. In the context of a covenant, to "hearken" to God implies a deep engagement with His words, accepting His authority, and submitting one's will to His. It is a comprehensive act of reception and response, indicating a heart posture of submission and a commitment to follow through.
* **Commandments (Hebrew, _mitzvot'_):** This term refers to God's divine instructions, precepts, and decrees. The plural form "all these commandments" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's law. It was not a pick-and-choose system; Israel was expected to obey the entirety of God's revealed will, encompassing moral, civil, and ceremonial laws. This highlights the holistic demand of the covenant, where partial obedience was considered disobedience in the eyes of the Lawgiver.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But if ye will not hearken unto me":** This opening clause introduces a stark conditional statement, signaling a shift from the promises of blessing to the warnings of curse. The "if" clause presents a choice, highlighting Israel's agency and responsibility. "Not hearken unto me" implies a willful refusal to listen attentively, to understand, and to obey God's voice and His covenant stipulations. It speaks to a rebellion of the heart that manifests in a disregard for divine authority.
* **"and will not do all these commandments":** This second clause amplifies the first, moving from the internal disposition of not hearkening to the external manifestation of disobedience. It emphasizes the active failure to perform the requirements of the covenant. The phrase "all these commandments" underscores the comprehensive nature of the expected obedience, meaning that selective adherence or partial compliance would not suffice. It highlights that God's covenant demands complete and consistent obedience to His entire body of laws.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 26:14 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Conditional Covenant Structure**, which is the overarching framework of [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses") itself, explicitly laying out blessings contingent on obedience and curses contingent on disobedience. This verse serves as the pivot point for this structure, shifting from the positive to the negative consequences. There is also a strong element of **Contrast**, as this verse directly opposes the tone and content of the preceding verses (26:3-13), which detail prosperity and peace. The "But if" acts as a dramatic rhetorical device, signaling this abrupt shift. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of the negative "will not hearken" and "will not do" emphasizes the gravity of the potential rebellion and sets a somber tone for the impending warnings. The language is direct and unambiguous, reflecting the absolute nature of God's demands and the certain consequences of defiance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 26:14 underscores the fundamental biblical principle that God's relationship with humanity, particularly under the Old Covenant, was predicated on a reciprocal agreement where divine blessing was contingent upon human obedience. It reveals God's holiness and justice, demonstrating that His covenant is not a mere suggestion but a solemn, binding agreement with profound consequences for fidelity or infidelity. While the New Covenant operates on grace through faith, the principle that God desires and delights in the obedience of His people as an expression of their love and trust remains a timeless truth. Disobedience always carries consequences, even if not the same covenantal curses.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If you love me, you will keep my commandments.")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The wages of sin is death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 26:14 serves as a powerful reminder that our relationship with God is not passive but calls for active engagement and obedience. While believers in Christ are no longer under the Mosaic Law as a means of salvation, this verse highlights the enduring truth that God values obedience and that our choices have spiritual consequences. It prompts us to examine our hearts: are we truly "hearkening" to God's voice as revealed in His Word and through His Spirit, or are we selectively listening, or worse, willfully disregarding His instructions? True faith is demonstrated by a desire to "do all His commandments," not out of fear of punishment, but out of love and gratitude for His grace. This verse challenges us to consider areas of our lives where we might be resisting God's will and to repent, seeking to align our actions with His perfect and holy standards.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "not hearkening" to God's voice, perhaps through distraction, doubt, or deliberate disregard?**
* **How does my daily life demonstrate a commitment to "do all these commandments," recognizing that God's desire for obedience extends beyond mere outward actions to the intentions of the heart?**
* **What are the spiritual or natural consequences I have experienced in my own life when I have chosen a path of disobedience, and how can I learn from these experiences?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean that Christians are still under the Law and subject to these curses?**

Answer: No, Christians are not under the Mosaic Law as a means of salvation or justification. The Apostle Paul clearly teaches that believers are "not under law but under grace" ([Romans 6:14](/romans/6-14 "Romans 6:14 - Not under law, but under grace")). The Mosaic Law, with its system of blessings and curses, was a covenant specifically given to ancient Israel for their national life and relationship with God. While the moral principles embedded in the Law remain relevant and are often reiterated in the New Testament (e.g., the Ten Commandments as expressions of God's character), Christians are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by perfect adherence to the Law ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by grace through faith")). However, obedience for believers is an expression of love and gratitude for salvation received, not a condition for earning it ([John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If you love me, you will keep my commandments")). Disobedience can still hinder fellowship with God and lead to natural consequences, but it does not revoke one's salvation in Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 26:14, with its stark warning of consequences for disobedience, powerfully sets the stage for understanding the profound necessity and glory of Christ's redemptive work. Under the Old Covenant, Israel's access to God's blessings and their very existence in the Promised Land were conditional upon their perfect obedience—a standard they consistently failed to meet, as evidenced throughout their history and culminating in exile. This verse highlights humanity's inherent inability to "hearken" and "do all these commandments" perfectly, underscoring the universal problem of sin and rebellion against a holy God. Jesus Christ, however, perfectly fulfilled every requirement of the Law, living a life of flawless obedience where humanity continually failed ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus fulfills the Law")). He became the ultimate obedient Son, "obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Through His atoning sacrifice, He bore the curses of the Law that humanity deserved for its disobedience, becoming a curse for us ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law")). In Christ, the conditional covenant of law is superseded by the unconditional covenant of grace, where righteousness is imputed to us by faith, not earned by works ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness through Faith")). Our obedience now flows not from a desperate attempt to earn favor or avoid curses, but from a heart transformed by the Spirit, empowered to live in grateful response to the One who perfectly hearkened and did all that was commanded, securing eternal blessings for all who believe ([Hebrews 10:16-18](/hebrews/10-16 "Hebrews 10:16-18 - The New Covenant of Grace")).

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

Deuteronomy 28:15

¶ But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

Deuteronomy 28:68

And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy [you].

Leviticus 26:18

And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.

Jeremiah 17:27

But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.

Lamentations 2:17

The LORD hath done [that] which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused [thine] enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.

Hebrews 12:25

See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven:

Malachi 2:2

If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay [it] to heart.