Leviticus 26:22

KJV

I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your [high] ways shall be desolate.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will also send {H7971} wild {H7704} beasts {H2416} among you, which shall rob you of your children {H7921}, and destroy {H3772} your cattle {H929}, and make you few in number {H4591}; and your high ways {H1870} shall be desolate {H8074}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will send wild animals among you; they will rob you of your children, destroy your livestock and reduce your numbers, until your roads are deserted.

Berean Standard Bible

I will send wild animals against you to rob you of your children, destroy your livestock, and reduce your numbers, until your roads lie desolate.

American Standard Version

And I will send the beast of the field among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your ways shall become desolate.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 26:22 presents a stark warning within the covenant curses, detailing God's judgment upon Israel for disobedience. It describes the divine act of sending wild beasts to devastate the land, resulting in the loss of children and livestock, a drastic reduction in population, and the desolation of travel routes. This verse underscores the severe, tangible consequences of covenant unfaithfulness, illustrating how God would withdraw His protective hand, allowing the natural world to become an instrument of His righteous judgment, leading to societal decay and fear.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 26 forms the climactic conclusion to the legal and ritual instructions given to Israel, serving as a powerful exhortation to covenant obedience. It is structured as a series of blessings for faithfulness ([Leviticus 26:3-13](/leviticus/26-3 "Leviticus 26:3-13 - Blessings for Obedience")) followed by a much longer and more detailed list of curses for disobedience ([Leviticus 26:14-39](/leviticus/26-14 "Leviticus 26:14-39 - Curses for Disobedience")). Verse 22 specifically falls within the escalating series of judgments, following initial warnings of famine and defeat in battle, and preceding the ultimate threat of exile and the destruction of the land. It represents a specific "level" of divine discipline, where God allows the natural order to turn against His people, demonstrating His sovereignty over creation and His commitment to upholding the terms of His covenant with Israel, first established at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Covenant at Sinai"). This progression of curses is designed to call the people to repentance, with each stage intensifying if they remain unrepentant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, life was precarious, and the threat of wild animals was a constant reality. Predators such as lions, bears, wolves, and jackals posed significant dangers to both human life and livestock, especially in areas bordering wilderness or during times of societal instability. A thriving population and safe travel routes were signs of divine favor and societal stability. Conversely, a reduction in population due to attacks, the destruction of cattle (the primary source of wealth and sustenance), and desolate roads (rendering trade and communication impossible) signaled a complete breakdown of order and security. This specific curse in [Leviticus 26:22](/leviticus/26-22 "Leviticus 26:22 - The Curse of Wild Beasts") would have been particularly terrifying because it struck at the very heart of their existence: their children, their livelihood, and their ability to move freely and safely within their own land. It implies a scenario where God's protective presence, which normally kept such threats at bay, would be withdrawn, allowing the untamed forces of nature to become instruments of His judgment, mirroring the spiritual wilderness created by their rebellion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Send (Hebrew, שָׁלַח, _shalach'_):** This verb signifies intentional dispatch or commission. When God "sends" the wild beasts, it emphasizes His active agency and sovereign control over creation. These are not random occurrences but divinely orchestrated judgments, demonstrating that even the forces of nature are subservient to His will and can be employed as instruments of His covenant enforcement. It underscores that the calamities are not mere misfortune but direct consequences of specific actions.
* **Wild Beasts (Hebrew, חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה, _chayyat hassadeh'_):** Literally "beast of the field," this phrase denotes untamed, predatory animals that inhabit the wilderness, as opposed to domesticated animals. In the context of ancient Israel, these would include lions, bears, wolves, and other dangerous creatures. The presence of such animals in populated or agricultural areas signifies a breakdown of the natural order and a loss of human dominion, often indicating a decline in population that allows the wilderness to encroach. Their being "sent" by God means they are empowered to inflict specific, devastating harm.
* **Desolate (Hebrew, שָׁמֵם, _shamem'_):** This word conveys a profound sense of emptiness, ruin, and abandonment. When applied to "ways" (roads or paths), it means they are empty of travelers, unsafe, and neglected, reflecting a society crippled by fear, depopulation, and economic collapse. The desolation is not merely physical but speaks to a deep spiritual and social decay, where the vibrancy of community life has ceased, and fear reigns supreme.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will also send wild beasts among you,"**: This opening clause establishes divine initiative. God Himself declares His intention to dispatch these creatures, making it clear that this is a direct act of judgment, not an accident of nature. The "wild beasts" are His agents, demonstrating His sovereign power over all creation, even the most untamed elements.
* **"which shall rob you of your children,"**: This is a deeply poignant and terrifying consequence. The loss of children, the future generation, represents the most severe blow to a family and a community. It signifies a demographic collapse and the destruction of hope, striking at the very heart of Israel's covenant promise of multiplication and blessing. This highlights the severity of God's displeasure.
* **"and destroy your cattle,"**: Cattle were the primary source of wealth, food, and labor in ancient Israel. Their destruction by wild beasts would lead to economic ruin, famine, and widespread poverty. This consequence directly attacks the material well-being and sustenance of the people, ensuring hardship and a drastic decline in their quality of life.
* **"and make you few in number;"**: This phrase summarizes the cumulative effect of the previous two clauses. The loss of children and the destruction of livelihood would inevitably lead to a significant reduction in the population. This contrasts sharply with God's blessing of fruitfulness and multiplication, indicating a reversal of covenant promises due to persistent disobedience.
* **"and your [high] ways shall be desolate."**: The "ways" refer to roads, paths, and trade routes. Their desolation implies that they are empty, unsafe, and unused. This paints a picture of societal breakdown, where fear prevents travel, commerce ceases, and communities become isolated. It signifies a loss of security, order, and the vibrant communal life that characterized a blessed nation.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 26:22 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. The most prominent is **Cause and Effect**, where the entire chapter establishes a clear link between Israel's disobedience (the cause) and the specified curses (the effects). Within this verse, the "sending" of wild beasts is the direct cause of the subsequent calamities: the robbing of children, destruction of cattle, reduction in numbers, and desolate ways. **Symbolism** is also at play, as "wild beasts" symbolize the untamed chaos that results when divine protection is withdrawn, representing a reversal of humanity's dominion over creation. The "desolate ways" symbolize not just physical emptiness but also societal decay, fear, and the breakdown of communal life. Furthermore, there is an element of **Escalation** within the chapter's curses, and this verse contributes to that by introducing a new, terrifying dimension of judgment after famine and defeat. The cumulative list of consequences ("rob you... destroy... make you few... ways shall be desolate") uses a form of **Anaphora** with the repeated "and," building a sense of overwhelming and interconnected disaster.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 26:22 powerfully articulates God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His unwavering commitment to His covenant. It reveals that God is not a passive observer but an active participant in human history, capable of using even the natural world as an instrument of His justice. The verse underscores the profound seriousness of disobedience, demonstrating that turning away from God's commands has tangible, devastating consequences that affect every aspect of life – from personal safety and family well-being to economic stability and societal order. It serves as a stark reminder that true security and prosperity are contingent upon faithfulness to the Lord, and that His protective hand can be withdrawn when His people persist in rebellion, leading to a reversal of blessings and an experience of the wilderness, both literally and figuratively.

* [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "Deuteronomy 28:26 - Curse of Scavengers")
* [Ezekiel 14:15](/ezekiel/14-15 "Ezekiel 14:15 - God's Four Severe Judgments")
* [Isaiah 33:8](/isaiah/33-8 "Isaiah 33:8 - Desolate Highways")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 26:22, though rooted in an ancient covenant, resonates with timeless spiritual truths for believers today. It calls us to a profound reflection on the nature of God's holiness, His justice, and the serious implications of our choices. While we live under the new covenant in Christ, the principle remains that persistent disobedience can lead to a withdrawal of God's blessings and an experience of hardship, not as a punitive curse in the Old Testament sense, but as divine discipline designed to bring us to repentance and deeper reliance on Him. This verse challenges us to examine areas where we might be drifting from God's commands, whether in our personal lives, families, or communities. It reminds us that true security is found not in human strength or material possessions, but in faithful obedience to the One who holds all things in His hand. It encourages us to cultivate a posture of humility, seeking God's will diligently and trusting in His protective care, knowing that His desire is always for our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly or overtly disobeying God's commands, and what might be the spiritual or practical consequences of such disobedience?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's sovereignty, particularly over seemingly "natural" occurrences or difficulties in my life?**
* **What does "desolate ways" look like in a modern context, and how might a lack of spiritual vitality or communal faithfulness contribute to such desolation?**
* **How can I actively cultivate a deeper sense of dependence on God's protection and provision, rather than relying on my own strength or worldly securities?**

### FAQ

**Does God still "send wild beasts" as judgment today?**

Answer: While God is sovereign over all creation and can use any means to achieve His purposes, the specific "curses" of the Old Covenant, including the literal sending of wild beasts as described in [Leviticus 26:22](/leviticus/26-22 "Leviticus 26:22 - The Curse of Wild Beasts"), were primarily tied to Israel's national covenant with God. For New Testament believers, the nature of God's discipline has shifted. We are under the New Covenant, where Christ has borne the curse of sin ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). However, the underlying principle of consequences for disobedience remains. God may allow natural difficulties, spiritual struggles, or relational breakdowns to occur as a form of loving discipline, intended to call His children to repentance and deeper faith ([Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline")). The "wild beasts" today might manifest as unchecked chaos in our lives, fear, or a sense of spiritual desolation when we drift from God's protective presence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 26:22, with its grim depiction of divine judgment through wild beasts and desolation, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The curses outlined in the Old Covenant, including the withdrawal of God's protective hand, were a consequence of humanity's inability to perfectly uphold the Law, leading to a state of spiritual "desolation" and vulnerability to the "wild beasts" of sin, death, and the devil. Jesus, as the perfect Lamb of God, entered into this cursed reality, not to be consumed by it, but to conquer it. He became the curse for us, bearing the full weight of God's righteous judgment on the cross, thereby redeeming us from the Law's demands and its dire consequences ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Through His atoning sacrifice, believers are brought into a new covenant, where the "desolate ways" of sin are transformed into paths of righteousness and peace, and the "wild beasts" of spiritual enemies are disarmed and defeated ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). In Christ, we find true protection, not through our perfect obedience to a legal code, but through His perfect obedience on our behalf and His ongoing intercession for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")). He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, guarding them from spiritual predators and leading them to abundant life, ensuring that those who are in Him will never be "robbed of their children" or "made few in number" in the spiritual sense, but will flourish and multiply in faith and grace ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Abundant Life") and [John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - Eternal Security")).

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

Ezekiel 14:15

If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass through because of the beasts:

Deuteronomy 32:24

[They shall be] burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.

Judges 5:6

¶ In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways.

2 Kings 17:25

And [so] it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, [that] they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew [some] of them.

Leviticus 26:6

And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make [you] afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.

Lamentations 1:4

The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she [is] in bitterness.

Isaiah 33:8

The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.