Leviticus 26:24

KJV

Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then will I also walk {H1980} contrary {H7147} unto you, and will punish {H5221} you yet {H1571} seven times {H7651} for your sins {H2403}.

Complete Jewish Bible

then I too will go against you; and I, yes I, will strike you seven times over for your sins.

Berean Standard Bible

then I will act with hostility toward you, and I will strike you sevenfold for your sins.

American Standard Version

then will I also walk contrary unto you; and I will smite you, even I, seven times for your sins.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 26:24 stands as a solemn declaration within God's covenant with Israel, articulating the severe and escalating consequences of persistent disobedience. It reveals God's unwavering commitment to His covenant terms, indicating that if His people continued in their stubborn rebellion, He would intensify His corrective discipline, mirroring their unyielding hearts with a comprehensive and thorough judgment for their sins. This verse underscores the divine principle that actions have consequences, particularly within a sacred covenant relationship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 26:24 is situated within the latter part of [Leviticus chapter 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience"), a pivotal section detailing the blessings for covenant obedience and the curses for disobedience. This chapter serves as a climactic summary of the Mosaic covenant, presenting a stark choice before Israel. The specific warning in verse 24 is part of a series of escalating judgments, where God progressively intensifies His discipline if the people remain unrepentant. The phrase "seven times" appears repeatedly (e.g., [Leviticus 26:18](/leviticus/26-18 "Leviticus 26:18 - First Warning of Sevenfold Punishment"), [Leviticus 26:21](/leviticus/26-21 "Leviticus 26:21 - Escalation of Punishment"), [Leviticus 26:28](/leviticus/26-28 "Leviticus 26:28 - Ultimate Sevenfold Punishment")), signaling a complete and thorough measure of divine discipline, proportional to their continued stubbornness and rebellion against God's commands.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The covenant between God and Israel, as outlined in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - Laws for a Holy People") and [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "Deuteronomy - Moses' Farewell Speeches"), functioned much like ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaties. In such treaties, a powerful king (suzerain) would establish terms with a lesser king or nation (vassal), including stipulations for loyalty, promises of protection for obedience, and severe curses for rebellion. God, as the divine Suzerain, established His covenant with Israel, His chosen people, at Mount Sinai. The "curses" in [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - The Covenant Blessings and Curses") were not arbitrary acts of vengeance but legally binding consequences, understood within this covenant framework. The concept of "seven times" often connoted completeness or perfection in ancient cultures, suggesting that God's punishment would be exhaustive and fully commensurate with their persistent sin, designed to bring about repentance rather than annihilation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Contrary (Hebrew, קֶרִי - _qeri'_):** This significant term denotes stubbornness, hostility, or opposition. When God declares, "Then will I also walk contrary unto you," it signifies that He will meet Israel's defiant, rebellious attitude with a resolute and opposing divine action. It's a powerful theological concept of divine mirroring: God's response is a direct, proportionate consequence of their unyielding hearts and persistent refusal to obey. It implies a divine resistance to their resistance, an active opposition to their opposition.
* **Seven times (Hebrew, שֶׁבַע - _sheva'_):** While literally meaning "seven," in this context and throughout Leviticus 26, it functions as an idiom for completeness, intensity, or perfection. It does not necessarily imply a literal multiplication of punishment by seven but rather signifies that God's judgment will be thorough, exhaustive, and fully commensurate with the severity and persistence of their sins. It conveys the idea of a full measure of discipline, leaving no doubt about the seriousness of their rebellion and God's resolve to bring them to repentance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then will I also walk contrary unto you,"**: This clause emphasizes God's active and personal involvement in the consequences of Israel's disobedience. The phrase "walk contrary" (וְהָלַכְתִּי עִמָּכֶם בְּקֶרִי - _v'halakhti immakhem b'qeri_) directly mirrors Israel's own "qeri" or stubbornness. If they persist in their defiant opposition to God's will, God Himself will respond in kind, not out of caprice, but as a just and holy judge upholding the terms of His covenant. This is a divine declaration of resolute opposition to their rebellion.
* **"and will punish you yet seven times for your sins."**: This segment clarifies the nature and intensity of God's "contrary walk." It is a punitive action, a comprehensive and severe discipline for their accumulated "sins." The "seven times" underscores that this punishment will be exhaustive and complete, reflecting the full measure of their unfaithfulness. It signifies that God's judgment will be thorough, designed to break their stubborn resistance and lead them to a place of repentance, rather than merely a light chastisement.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 26:24 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "walk contrary unto you," where God is described as performing a human action, "walking," to express His active opposition. This makes the divine response relatable and impactful. The chapter also uses **Lexical Cohesion** through the repeated phrase "seven times," which creates a thematic emphasis on the escalating and complete nature of God's judgment. This repetition serves to underscore the seriousness of persistent disobedience and the thoroughness of divine discipline. Furthermore, the verse demonstrates a profound **Mirroring** or **Reciprocity**, where God's actions directly reflect Israel's disposition. If Israel walks in "qeri" (stubbornness), God will walk "b'qeri" (contrary) to them, illustrating a divine principle of just consequence where the punishment fits the crime, specifically in terms of the heart attitude behind the transgression.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 26:24 profoundly illustrates God's unyielding justice and holiness, emphasizing that persistent disobedience within a covenant relationship will inevitably invite divine discipline. It reveals that God is not passive in the face of rebellion but actively upholds the terms of His covenant. While the immediate context is one of judgment, the underlying theological principle is God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even the promises of discipline, which ultimately aim to bring His people to repentance and restoration. This verse underscores the gravity of sin and the necessity of responding to God's warnings with humility and obedience, reminding us that God's discipline is a sign of His love, intended to correct and purify, not merely to destroy.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Proverbs 13:15](/proverbs/13-15 "Proverbs 13:15 - The Way of Transgressors is Hard")
* [Hebrews 12:6](/hebrews/12-6 "Hebrews 12:6 - God Disciplines Those He Loves")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 26:24, though rooted in the ancient covenant with Israel, offers timeless principles for believers today. It serves as a stark reminder that God's character as just and holy remains unchanged, and that persistent, unrepentant sin, even among those in covenant with Him, invites divine discipline. This discipline is not arbitrary but purposeful, a loving Father's hand guiding His children back to the path of righteousness. It compels us to seriously examine our own lives, asking if there are areas where we are walking "contrary" to God's revealed will, stubbornly resisting His Spirit. When we face difficulties or consequences in life, this verse prompts us to consider if they are a gracious call from God to repent, to humble ourselves, and to return to Him with renewed devotion, trusting that His ultimate desire is always our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "walking contrary" to God's will, stubbornly resisting His guidance?**
* **How do I typically respond to difficult circumstances or consequences – with self-pity, anger, or a humble search for God's redemptive purpose?**
* **Do I truly believe that God's discipline is a sign of His love, intended for my good and spiritual growth?**
* **What specific steps can I take today to align my heart and actions more fully with God's commands?**

### FAQ

**Is the "seven times" punishment in Leviticus 26:24 a literal multiplication of suffering?**

Answer: No, the phrase "seven times" (Hebrew: _sheva_) in Leviticus 26:24, and throughout [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - The Covenant Blessings and Curses"), is best understood as an idiom for completeness, intensity, or perfection, rather than a literal multiplication. It signifies that God's judgment would be thorough, exhaustive, and fully commensurate with the severity and persistence of Israel's sins. It underscores the comprehensive nature of the divine discipline, designed to break their stubborn resistance and bring them to repentance, leaving no doubt about the seriousness of their rebellion.

**Does God still "walk contrary" to people or nations today in the same way He did with ancient Israel?**

Answer: While the specific covenant context of ancient Israel differs from the New Covenant, the underlying principles of God's justice and the consequences of sin remain. God is immutable ([Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God Does Not Change")). For nations, persistent unrighteousness can lead to societal decay and divine judgment, though the forms may vary. For individuals, particularly believers, God's discipline is primarily restorative, as seen in [Hebrews 12:6-11](/hebrews/12-6 "Hebrews 12:6-11 - God Disciplines Those He Loves"). He does not "punish" believers for sins already atoned for by Christ, but He does lovingly correct and chasten those He loves to bring them to maturity and conformity to Christ's image. His "contrary walk" for believers is a form of loving discipline, aiming to turn us from our stubbornness and back to Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 26:24, with its stark warning of God's "contrary walk" and "seven times" punishment for sin, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The full measure of divine judgment, the comprehensive and exhaustive punishment for humanity's stubborn rebellion against God, was perfectly absorbed by Christ on the cross. He became the object of God's "contrary walk" so that we might never experience it. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us") declares that "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." The "seven times" punishment, representing the complete penalty for sin, was poured out upon Christ, who bore the curse of the law on our behalf ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Through His atoning sacrifice, those who are in Christ are no longer under condemnation ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")), but are reconciled to God, experiencing His gracious walk with them, rather than His walk contrary to them. The ultimate aim of the covenant curses was to lead to repentance and restoration, a purpose fully realized in the new covenant established by Christ's blood, where forgiveness and fellowship are freely offered.

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

2 Samuel 22:27

With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.

Psalms 18:26

With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.

Isaiah 63:10

But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, [and] he fought against them.

Job 9:4

[He is] wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened [himself] against him, and hath prospered?