Leviticus 26:2

KJV

Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I [am] the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye shall keep {H8104} my sabbaths {H7676}, and reverence {H3372} my sanctuary {H4720}: I am the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'Keep my Shabbats, and revere my sanctuary; I am ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

You must keep My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary. I am the LORD.

American Standard Version

Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 26:2 encapsulates two foundational commands integral to Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh: the diligent observance of His Sabbaths and the profound reverence for His sanctuary. This verse serves as a concise preamble to the detailed exposition of blessings for covenant faithfulness and curses for disobedience found in the remainder of the chapter, firmly grounding all subsequent divine mandates in the supreme authority and unique identity of God Himself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 26:2 is strategically positioned at the outset of a pivotal chapter, often termed the "Blessings and Curses" section, which outlines the profound consequences of Israel's obedience or disobedience to the Mosaic Covenant. It immediately follows the concluding warnings of chapter 25 regarding the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, and specifically follows the prohibition against idolatry and the making of carved images in [Leviticus 26:1](/leviticus/26-1 "Leviticus 26:1 - Prohibition of Idolatry"). This sequence establishes a clear theological progression: true worship of the one God, marked by honoring His sacred times and places, is the antithesis of idolatry and the prerequisite for receiving divine favor. The commands in [Leviticus 26:2](/leviticus/26-2 "Leviticus 26:2 - Keeping Sabbaths and Reverencing the Sanctuary") thus serve as foundational principles that set the stage for the conditional promises and warnings that dominate the rest of [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Leviticus's composition, Israel was a newly formed nation, recently delivered from Egyptian bondage and encamped at Mount Sinai. God was establishing His covenant with them, transforming them into a holy nation set apart for His purposes. The commands to keep the Sabbaths and reverence the sanctuary were not abstract theological concepts but practical, daily, and annual expressions of their unique identity and devotion. The Sabbath, rooted in creation and formalized at Sinai ([Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Fourth Commandment")), served to distinguish Israel from surrounding pagan cultures that lacked a concept of a divinely mandated day of rest and worship. The sanctuary, initially the Tabernacle, was the tangible symbol of God's presence dwelling among His people ([Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - Command to Build the Tabernacle")), a radical concept in a world where deities were typically confined to specific geographic locations or temples. Reverence for this mobile dwelling place underscored God's immanence and His expectation of holiness from those who approached Him. These commands reinforced Israel's distinctiveness and their direct, exclusive relationship with Yahweh, the covenant-making God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sabbaths (Hebrew, _shabbat'_):** Derived from the verb "to cease" or "to rest," _shabbat_ refers primarily to the weekly Sabbath day, a divinely ordained cessation from labor for rest and worship, commemorating God's rest on the seventh day of creation ([Genesis 2:2-3](/genesis/2-2 "Genesis 2:2-3 - God Rests on the Seventh Day")). However, in the plural ("my sabbaths"), it also encompasses other sacred times of rest and cessation, such as the Sabbatical year ([Leviticus 25:4](/leviticus/25-4 "Leviticus 25:4 - The Sabbatical Year")) and the Year of Jubilee ([Leviticus 25:10](/leviticus/25-10 "Leviticus 25:10 - The Year of Jubilee")), as well as various feast days. The command to "keep" (שָׁמַר, _shamar_) implies not just passive observance but active guarding, preserving, and obeying these sacred times.
* **Sanctuary (Hebrew, _miqdash'_):** This term, meaning "holy place" or "consecrated place," refers specifically to the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), which served as the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. It was the central locus of Israelite worship, where atonement was made and God's glory was manifested. The command to "reverence" (יָרֵא, _yare'_) signifies a profound sense of awe, respect, and even fear (in the sense of holy dread) for God's holiness and His dwelling place. This reverence was to be expressed through adherence to the prescribed rituals, maintaining ceremonial purity, and approaching the sanctuary with the solemnity due to the presence of the Almighty.
* **I [am] the LORD (Hebrew, _ani Yahweh'_):** This is a powerful and frequently repeated divine self-attestation throughout the Pentateuch, particularly in Leviticus. _Yahweh_ (rendered "the LORD" in English translations) is God's covenant name, revealing His personal, unchanging, and self-existent nature ([Exodus 3:14-15](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14-15 - God Reveals His Name to Moses")). The declaration "I am the LORD" serves as the ultimate ground and authority for all divine commands. It is not merely a statement of identity but a declaration of sovereign right and covenant faithfulness, reminding Israel that their obedience is rooted in who God is and His unwavering commitment to His promises and demands.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye shall keep my sabbaths,"**: This clause issues a direct command to the Israelite people to actively guard, observe, and obey the sacred times designated by God. This includes the weekly Sabbath, which served as a sign of the covenant between God and Israel ([Exodus 31:13](/exodus/31-13 "Exodus 31:13 - The Sabbath as a Sign")), as well as the various annual feasts and sabbatical years, all of which were designed to foster remembrance of God's creative and redemptive acts, and to provide rest and renewal.
* **"and reverence my sanctuary:"**: This second command emphasizes the proper attitude and conduct required concerning God's dwelling place. The Tabernacle, and later the Temple, was the physical manifestation of God's presence among His people, a place of profound holiness. To "reverence" it meant to approach it with awe, respect, and careful adherence to the ceremonial laws, recognizing the absolute purity and majesty of the God who resided there. This command underscored the sanctity of sacred space and the need for a holy people to interact with a holy God.
* **"I [am] the LORD."**: This concluding declaration is the theological bedrock for the preceding commands. It is God's self-identification as Yahweh, the covenant-making, sovereign, and faithful God of Israel. This phrase serves as the ultimate authority for the commands given, implying that obedience is not merely arbitrary but flows from the very nature and identity of the One who commands. It grounds the requirements of Sabbath observance and sanctuary reverence in God's unchanging character and His exclusive claim over His people.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 26:2 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with authority and clarity. The verse exhibits **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where "keep my sabbaths" and "reverence my sanctuary" present two distinct but complementary aspects of Israel's covenant obligations. Both commands relate to the sanctification of time and space, emphasizing the holistic nature of devotion to God. This pairing highlights the comprehensive scope of God's sovereignty over all aspects of life. The most prominent device, however, is the **Divine Self-Attestation** found in the concluding phrase, "I [am] the LORD." This formula, frequently used throughout Leviticus, functions as an emphatic declaration of God's absolute authority and His covenant identity (Yahweh). It serves as the ultimate warrant for the preceding commands, imbuing them with divine weight and underscoring that obedience is not optional but a direct response to the nature of the One who commands. Furthermore, the verse can be seen to employ a form of **Merism**, where the mention of "sabbaths" (representing sacred time) and "sanctuary" (representing sacred space) collectively signifies the entirety of Israel's life consecrated to God. This suggests that every dimension of their existence—their time, their worship, their community—was to be lived in conscious awareness of God's holy presence and sovereign rule.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 26:2 powerfully articulates core theological principles: the absolute sovereignty of God over all creation, the necessity of human obedience as a response to divine authority, and the fundamental importance of holiness in both time and space. The commands to keep the Sabbaths and reverence the sanctuary are not arbitrary rules but expressions of God's desire for a people set apart, reflecting His own holiness. They underscore that true worship involves both dedicated time for rest and communion with God, and a profound respect for the places where His presence is uniquely manifested. This verse establishes that the covenant relationship is predicated on acknowledging God's identity as Yahweh, the source of all life and law, and responding with reverent submission in every sphere of existence.

* [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Fourth Commandment, Sabbath Observance")
* [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Command to Build the Tabernacle")
* [Leviticus 19:30](/leviticus/19-30 "Leviticus 19:30 - Reverence for the Sanctuary and Sabbaths")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 26:2, though rooted in the Old Covenant, offers timeless principles for believers today. The call to "keep my sabbaths" transcends a legalistic adherence to a specific day; it invites us to intentionally set aside time for rest, worship, and spiritual renewal, acknowledging God's sovereignty over our schedules and resources. In a world driven by constant activity and productivity, this command reminds us of the divine rhythm of work and rest, essential for our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, and for cultivating a deeper relationship with our Creator. Similarly, "reverence my sanctuary" extends beyond a physical building. While we are called to respect places of corporate worship, the New Testament reveals that believers themselves are the temple of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our Bodies as Temples of the Holy Spirit")), and the church, corporately, is God's dwelling place ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - The Church as God's Dwelling")). This calls us to live lives of personal holiness, recognizing that God's presence indwells us, and to treat the body of Christ with profound respect and love. Our obedience, then, flows from the profound truth that "I am the LORD"—He is the unchanging, authoritative, and loving God who deserves our complete devotion in every aspect of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I intentionally set aside time for spiritual rest and renewal in my weekly rhythm, reflecting God's sovereignty over my time?**
* **In what ways do I demonstrate reverence for God's presence, both in corporate worship settings and in my personal life as a "temple of the Holy Spirit"?**
* **How does understanding God's self-declaration, "I am the LORD," deepen my motivation for obedience and worship?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the phrase "I am the LORD" at the end of the verse?**

Answer: The phrase "I am the LORD" (Hebrew: _Ani Yahweh_) is a crucial divine self-attestation that appears frequently throughout Leviticus and other books of the Pentateuch. Its significance is multifaceted:
* **Declaration of Identity:** It identifies the speaker as Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, whose name was revealed to Moses at the burning bush ([Exodus 3:14-15](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14-15 - God Reveals His Name")). This name signifies His self-existence, faithfulness, and active presence.
* **Assertion of Authority:** It serves as the ultimate ground and authority for all the commands that precede it. The commands are not arbitrary but issue from the sovereign will and unchanging character of God Himself.
* **Covenant Reminder:** It constantly reminds Israel of their unique covenant relationship with God, emphasizing that their obedience is a response to His gracious choice and powerful deliverance (e.g., [Exodus 6:2-8](/exodus/6-2 "Exodus 6:2-8 - God's Covenant with Israel")).
* **Call to Holiness:** In Leviticus, it often accompanies commands related to holiness, reinforcing that Israel's sanctification is rooted in God's own holiness (e.g., [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")).
In Leviticus 26:2, it firmly establishes that the commands to keep the Sabbaths and reverence the sanctuary are non-negotiable divine mandates from the supreme, covenant-keeping God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 26:2 finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment, as Jesus embodies and transcends the very principles of Sabbath and Sanctuary. Jesus declared Himself to be the "Lord of the Sabbath" ([Mark 2:27-28](/mark/2-27 "Mark 2:27-28 - Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath")), demonstrating that the Sabbath's ultimate purpose was to bring rest and life, which He perfectly provides. He is the true and ultimate rest for His people, inviting all who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). The Old Testament sanctuary, a temporary dwelling place for God's presence, was a shadow pointing to the reality found in Christ. Jesus boldly proclaimed, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," speaking of the temple of His body ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")). He is the ultimate "sanctuary," the perfect place where God and humanity meet, and through His sacrifice, He opened the way for direct access to God's presence ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God Through Christ")). Furthermore, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers become living temples of God ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), and the church, corporately, is built into a holy temple in the Lord, a dwelling place for God by the Spirit ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - The Church as God's Dwelling")). Thus, in Christ, the commands to keep God's Sabbaths and reverence His sanctuary are fulfilled not merely by external observance, but by entering into His rest and becoming His dwelling place, living lives consecrated to the "I Am" who is fully revealed in Him. The ultimate promise of God dwelling with His people, anticipated in the sanctuary, finds its glorious culmination in the New Heavens and New Earth where God's tabernacle is with humanity ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling Among Humanity")).

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

Leviticus 19:30

¶ Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I [am] the LORD.