Leviticus 26:19

KJV

And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will break {H7665} the pride {H1347} of your power {H5797}; and I will make {H5414} your heaven {H8064} as iron {H1270}, and your earth {H776} as brass {H5154}:

Complete Jewish Bible

I will break the pride you have in your own power. I will make your sky like iron, your soil like bronze -

Berean Standard Bible

I will break down your stubborn pride and make your sky like iron and your land like bronze,

American Standard Version

And I will break the pride of your power: and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 26:19 delivers a potent warning within the Mosaic covenant, outlining severe consequences for Israel's disobedience and self-exalting pride. It proclaims God's decisive intention to dismantle their perceived strength and inflict a catastrophic drought, vividly depicted by a sky that withholds rain and a land rendered utterly barren. This divine judgment serves as a stark testament to God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His unwavering commitment to uphold the terms of His covenant, ultimately aiming to humble His people and restore them to a state of dependent reliance upon Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 26 stands as the climactic chapter of the Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-25) and indeed, the entire legal section of Leviticus, serving as a solemn covenant ratification. It meticulously details the blessings promised for covenant obedience (beginning in [Leviticus 26:3](/leviticus/26-3 "Leviticus 26:3 - Blessings for Obedience")) and, conversely, the escalating series of curses for persistent disobedience and rebellion (commencing in [Leviticus 26:14](/leviticus/26-14 "Leviticus 26:14 - Curses for Disobedience")). Verse 19 is situated within the initial stages of these curses, following warnings of terror, disease, and military defeat (cf. [Leviticus 26:16-18](/leviticus/26-16-18 "Leviticus 26:16-18 - Early Curses")). The progression of judgments, from internal distress to external devastation, is designed not merely as retributive punishment but as a corrective, pedagogical process intended to prompt Israel's repentance and compel their return to their covenant relationship with Yahweh.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The covenant articulated in Leviticus was formally established at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Covenant at Sinai"), where God graciously initiated a unique relationship with the newly formed nation of Israel, promising to be their God if they would faithfully obey His voice and keep His covenant (cf. [Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5-6 "Exodus 19:5-6 - Israel, a Priestly Kingdom")). In the broader ancient Near Eastern context, a nation's prosperity, particularly its agricultural abundance, was universally understood as a direct indicator of divine favor. Conversely, devastating phenomena such as drought and famine were unequivocal signs of divine displeasure and judgment. Israel, a predominantly agrarian society, was profoundly dependent on the timely seasonal rains for the success of their harvests. The vivid imagery of "heaven as iron, and your earth as brass" would have immediately conjured a catastrophic scenario, directly contrasting the promised blessings of abundant rain and fruitful land (cf. [Leviticus 26:4-5](/leviticus/26-4-5 "Leviticus 26:4-5 - Blessings of Rain and Harvest")). This verse powerfully underscores God's absolute sovereignty over the natural elements and His willingness to employ them as instruments of His covenantal discipline.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Leviticus and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it emphasizes **Covenant Faithfulness and Consequences**, illustrating that God's covenant with Israel was conditional, with blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Secondly, it highlights **God's Sovereignty over Creation**, demonstrating His ultimate control over natural phenomena like rain and agricultural productivity, which He uses to enforce His will. Thirdly, it addresses the pervasive danger of **Pride and Self-Reliance**, particularly as it manifests in a nation forgetting its divine benefactor. The "pride of your power" directly challenges Israel's temptation to rely on its own strength or perceived achievements rather than on God. Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **Divine Discipline as Redemptive**, implying that even in judgment, God's ultimate aim is to humble His people and draw them back to a right relationship with Him, fostering a renewed dependence on His grace, as seen in the broader context of [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pride (Hebrew, _gâʼôwn'_ - H1347):** This term, derived from a root meaning "to be high" or "exalted," can denote majesty, glory, or excellence. However, when applied to human beings, especially in the context of defiance against God, it carries a strong negative connotation of arrogance, haughtiness, or self-exaltation. Here, it refers to Israel's defiant self-sufficiency, their reliance on their own perceived strength, achievements, or military might, rather than on the Lord God. It is the human spirit's elevation of itself above its Creator.
* **Iron (Hebrew, _barzel'_ - H1270):** Originating perhaps from a root meaning "to cut," iron is universally recognized for its extreme hardness, impermeability, and unyielding nature. When applied to "heaven" in this verse, it creates a vivid and terrifying metaphor for a sky that is completely sealed off, utterly incapable of releasing life-giving rain. This imagery powerfully conveys a severe, unremitting, and inescapable drought, a direct reversal of the promised blessings of agricultural abundance.
* **Brass (Hebrew, _nᵉchûwshâh'_ - H5154):** This word refers to copper or, as commonly translated here, brass, both metals known for their hardness, durability, and often associated with heat due to their use in furnaces. When applied to "earth," it paints a stark picture of ground that is parched, baked hard by the sun, cracked, and utterly unproductive. This metaphor emphasizes the complete desolation of the land, rendering it incapable of sustaining life or producing crops, directly complementing the imagery of the iron sky.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will break the pride of your power":** This clause declares God's direct, sovereign intervention to dismantle Israel's arrogance and self-reliance. The "pride of your power" refers to any perceived strength—whether military, economic, national, or even spiritual—that leads them to forget God and His covenant, fostering a sense of self-sufficiency. God asserts His ultimate authority to humble them, demonstrating unequivocally that their true strength and security lie not in themselves but solely in their obedient and dependent relationship with Him. This "breaking" is a divine act of judgment, designed to strip away their false sense of security and bring them to a place of utter dependence on their Creator.
* **"and I will make your heaven as iron":** This is a profoundly evocative metaphor describing a complete and unyielding cessation of rain. The sky, which is normally the source of life-giving water for an agrarian society, will become as hard and impenetrable as iron. This signifies a severe, prolonged, and devastating drought, directly impacting the agricultural economy and reversing the covenant blessing of timely rains and abundant harvests. It underscores God's absolute control over the natural elements and His willingness to use them as instruments of His covenantal discipline against a disobedient people.
* **"and your earth as brass":** Complementing the previous clause, this metaphor vividly describes the devastating effect of the prolonged drought on the land itself. The earth, normally fertile and productive, will become hard, barren, and unproductive, like brass. It will be baked by the sun, unable to yield crops, leading inevitably to widespread famine and desolation. This imagery emphasizes the totality and comprehensiveness of the judgment, affecting both the source of water (heaven) and the recipient (earth), resulting in widespread suffering and serving as an unmistakable sign of God's profound displeasure and righteous judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 26:19 employs powerful **Metaphor** to convey the severity and totality of God's impending judgment. The phrases "heaven as iron" and "earth as brass" are not literal descriptions but imaginative, vivid comparisons that evoke immediate and terrifying images of an impenetrable sky and a barren, unyielding ground. Iron and brass, known for their hardness, impermeability, and unyielding nature, effectively symbolize the complete cessation of rain and the resulting infertility of the land. This use of metaphor intensifies the warning, making the dire consequences of disobedience tangible and profoundly impactful for an agrarian society. Furthermore, there is an element of **Hyperbole** in the extreme nature of these metaphors, emphasizing the utter and comprehensive devastation that would result from divine judgment. The entire verse also functions as a form of **Parallelism**, specifically **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second and third clauses ("heaven as iron" and "earth as brass") build upon and reinforce the first ("break the pride of your power") by describing the concrete, devastating effects of that breaking, thereby describing the comprehensive nature of the drought, affecting both the source of water and the land that receives it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His sovereign right to discipline His people. It underscores the consistent biblical theme that pride and self-reliance, particularly when they lead to disobedience and a rejection of God's commands, inevitably invite divine opposition and judgment. God's judgment, as depicted here, is not arbitrary or vindictive but a just and righteous response to covenant unfaithfulness, meticulously designed to humble the proud and restore a right relationship. The physical consequences of drought and barrenness serve as a potent symbol of a deeper spiritual reality: a profound lack of fruitfulness, spiritual dryness, and a diminished capacity for life that inevitably result from turning away from the life-giving source, God Himself. Ultimately, God's underlying purpose in such severe discipline is profoundly redemptive, aiming to bring His people to genuine repentance and a renewed, humble dependence on His grace and provision.

* [Deuteronomy 28:23](/deuteronomy/28-23 "Deuteronomy 28:23 - Heaven as Bronze, Earth as Iron")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Resists the Proud")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 26:19, though deeply rooted in the Old Covenant and its specific historical context, offers timeless and profound principles for believers today. It serves as a potent warning against spiritual pride and self-sufficiency, profoundly reminding us that true strength, flourishing, and spiritual vitality come only from humble, unwavering dependence on God. When we, as individuals or communities, lean on our own understanding, abilities, resources, or even spiritual achievements, rather than diligently seeking God's will and relying entirely on His grace, we risk experiencing a spiritual "drought." This spiritual barrenness can manifest as a lack of fruitfulness in our lives, a pervasive sense of dryness in our relationship with God, and a diminished capacity to walk effectively in His divine purposes. God, in His infinite wisdom and profound love, may indeed allow circumstances that "break the pride of our power" to graciously draw us back to Him, to remind us that He alone is the inexhaustible source of all true life, blessing, and spiritual sustenance. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of profound humility, constant repentance, and unwavering faith, recognizing that our ultimate prosperity, both spiritual and physical, is found in faithful obedience and intimate communion with our Creator and Redeemer.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be subtly relying on my own "power," intellect, or resources, rather than humbly and completely depending on God?**
* **How might spiritual pride manifest itself in my thoughts, words, or actions, and what potential consequences could it have for my relationship with God and my spiritual fruitfulness?**
* **Considering the vivid imagery of "heaven as iron" and "earth as brass," what might spiritual barrenness or dryness look like in my own life, and what steps can I take to seek God's refreshing and restoration?**

### FAQ
**Is this verse still relevant for Christians today, given the New Covenant and Christ's fulfillment of the Law?**

Answer: While the specific physical curses of the Old Covenant, such as literal drought and famine, are not directly applied to New Covenant believers in the same retributive way, the underlying spiritual principles of Leviticus 26:19 remain profoundly relevant. This verse powerfully highlights God's unchanging character as one who opposes pride and lovingly disciplines His children for their ultimate good. Under the New Covenant, God's discipline is primarily for our sanctification, intended to draw us closer to Him, refine our character, and conform us more fully to the image of Christ (cf. [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline for His Children")). Spiritual pride still remains a significant hindrance to our relationship with God and can indeed lead to a lack of spiritual fruitfulness, much like a spiritual "drought" in our souls.

**What does 'heaven as iron, and your earth as brass' mean metaphorically for us today as New Covenant believers?**

Answer: Metaphorically, "heaven as iron" can represent a profound sense of spiritual dryness or unresponsiveness, where our prayers feel unheard, or we perceive God's presence as distant and unresponsive to our pleas. It signifies a lack of spiritual refreshing, divine insight, or a perceived closure of the heavens to our needs. "Earth as brass" can symbolize spiritual barrenness in our lives—a pervasive lack of fruitfulness, joy, peace, or effectiveness in our Christian walk, despite our sincere efforts. It suggests that our spiritual endeavors or ministries may be unproductive because we are disconnected from the life-giving source, often due to unconfessed sin, persistent pride, or ongoing disobedience. Just as physical rain is absolutely essential for crops to grow and flourish, the indwelling and empowering work of the Holy Spirit is indispensable for spiritual fruit to be produced in our lives (cf. [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 26:19, with its stark warning of divine judgment for Israel's pride and disobedience, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus. Humanity's greatest "pride of power" is its inherent rebellion against God, its relentless pursuit of autonomy, and its futile attempt to establish its own righteousness apart from Him. Jesus, however, perfectly embodied the antithesis of this pride; He "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" (cf. [Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")). He, the sinless Son of God, became the sacrificial Lamb who bore the full weight of the covenant curses, enduring the ultimate spiritual barrenness and agonizing separation from God on the cross when He cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (cf. [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - The Cry of Dereliction")). Through His atoning sacrifice and victorious resurrection, Jesus decisively broke the power of sin and death, which were the true sources of humanity's spiritual pride and barrenness. Because of His perfect obedience and substitutionary sacrifice, the "heaven" is no longer "iron" for those who believe in Him; instead, rivers of living water—the Holy Spirit—now flow abundantly from within them (cf. [John 7:38-39](/john/7-38-39 "John 7:38-39 - Rivers of Living Water")). Through vital union with Christ, our "earth" (our lives) is miraculously transformed from barren brass into fertile ground, enabling us to bear much spiritual fruit as we abide intimately in Him (cf. [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ and Bearing Fruit")). Thus, the judgment threatened in Leviticus 26:19 was fully absorbed and perfectly satisfied by Christ, offering spiritual abundance, true humility, and eternal life to all who trust in Him.

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 28:23

And thy heaven that [is] over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee [shall be] iron.

1 Kings 17:1

¶ And Elijah the Tishbite, [who was] of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, [As] the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

Luke 4:25

But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;

Ezekiel 30:6

Thus saith the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord GOD.

Isaiah 25:11

And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth [his hands] to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.

Daniel 4:37

Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works [are] truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

1 Samuel 4:11

And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.