Leviticus 26:36

KJV

And upon them that are left [alive] of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And upon them that are left {H7604} alive of you I will send {H935} a faintness {H4816} into their hearts {H3824} in the lands {H776} of their enemies {H341}; and the sound {H6963} of a shaken {H5086} leaf {H5929} shall chase {H7291} them; and they shall flee {H5127}, as fleeing {H4499} from a sword {H2719}; and they shall fall {H5307} when none pursueth {H7291}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As for those of you who are left, I will fill their hearts with anxiety in the lands of their enemies. The sound of a driven leaf will frighten them, so that they will flee as one flees from the sword and fall when no one is pursuing.

Berean Standard Bible

As for those of you who survive, I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies, so that even the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight. And they will flee as one flees the sword, and fall when no one pursues them.

American Standard Version

And as for them that are left of you, I will send a faintness into their heart in the lands of their enemies: and the sound of a driven leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as one fleeth from the sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 26:36, a stark warning within the covenant curses, describes the profound psychological and spiritual degradation that would befall disobedient Israel in exile. It depicts a divinely sent "faintness" or terror into their hearts, leading to such extreme paranoia that even the rustle of a leaf would trigger irrational panic, causing them to flee as if from a sword and fall without any pursuer. This verse vividly illustrates the internal torment and loss of courage that results from breaking covenant with God, far beyond mere physical hardship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the "blessings and curses" section of [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses"), a pivotal chapter outlining the consequences of Israel's faithfulness or unfaithfulness to the Mosaic Covenant. [Verses 3-13](/leviticus/26-3 "Leviticus 26:3-13 - Blessings for Obedience") detail the abundant blessings for obedience, including peace, prosperity, and God's presence. In stark contrast, [verses 14-45](/leviticus/26-14 "Leviticus 26:14-45 - Curses for Disobedience") enumerate a series of escalating curses for disobedience, beginning with famine and defeat in battle, progressing to pestilence, wild beasts, and ultimately, exile and national desolation. Leviticus 26:36 falls within the latter, more severe stages of these curses, specifically focusing on the internal, psychological torment that would accompany their punishment, emphasizing that the terror would come from within as a direct consequence of God's judgment, rather than solely from external enemies.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Mosaic Covenant, established at Mount Sinai, formed the foundational relationship between Yahweh and the nation of Israel. This covenant was conditional, promising divine favor for obedience and severe judgment for rebellion. For an ancient Near Eastern people, security and prosperity were inextricably linked to their deity's favor. To be "in the lands of their enemies" was the ultimate disgrace and vulnerability, signifying the loss of divine protection and the breaking of the covenant relationship. The fear described in Leviticus 26:36 speaks to a deep-seated cultural understanding of shame and the psychological impact of divine abandonment. The warnings here were not abstract but foreshadowed the historical exiles, particularly the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities, where Israel indeed experienced profound loss, displacement, and vulnerability, as prophesied in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The "faintness of heart" and irrational fear describe a people stripped of their spiritual fortitude, a consequence of having forsaken the One who was their true strength and shield.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Faintness (Hebrew, _morah'_):** The Hebrew word מוֹרָה (_morah_) denotes dread, terror, or fear. It implies a deep-seated, debilitating psychological condition rather than mere physical weakness. It suggests a state of profound inner turmoil, a loss of spiritual fortitude and courage that makes one susceptible to irrational panic. It is a divinely inflicted terror, indicating that God actively sends this internal disquiet as part of His judgment.
* **Shaken leaf (Hebrew, _aleh niddaph'_):** The phrase עָלֶה נִדָּף (_aleh niddaph_) literally means "a driven leaf" or "a fluttering leaf." This is a powerful **hyperbole** emphasizing the utter insignificance of the trigger for their terror. It highlights the extreme paranoia and hypersensitivity to any perceived threat, demonstrating a complete breakdown of their inner peace and security.
* **None pursueth (Hebrew, _ein rodef'_):** The phrase אֵין רֹדֵף (_ein rodef_) means "there is no pursuer." This underscores the internal, self-generated nature of their fear. The terror is not from an external, tangible threat but from within, a spiritual and psychological collapse that leads to irrational flight and self-inflicted defeat. It signifies a complete absence of courage and a profound loss of divine protection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And upon them that are left [alive] of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies;":** This clause establishes God's direct agency in the punishment ("I will send"). The "faintness" is a profound internal terror, not merely physical weakness, inflicted upon those who survive the initial stages of judgment. The setting "in the lands of their enemies" emphasizes their vulnerable, exiled state, where they are without their homeland, temple, or the protective presence of God.
* **"and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them;":** This vividly illustrates the extreme, irrational nature of their fear. Even the most innocuous, insignificant sound—the rustle of a leaf—is enough to trigger a full-blown panic response. It signifies a state of hyper-vigilance and paranoia where their own minds become their tormentors.
* **"and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword;":** This describes the instinctive, desperate flight response. Despite the absence of a real threat, their fear is so overwhelming that they react as if facing a deadly weapon. It portrays a people utterly devoid of courage, driven by an internal terror that mirrors the threat of physical annihilation.
* **"and they shall fall when none pursueth.":** This culminates the description of their utter spiritual and psychological collapse. Their flight is not from an external enemy but from their own terror, leading to a humiliating and self-destructive fall. It highlights the complete absence of fortitude and the profound consequences of a broken relationship with God, where even self-preservation instincts are overridden by irrational fear.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 26:36 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment and psychological torment. **Hyperbole** is prominent in the phrases "the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them" and "they shall fall when none pursueth." These exaggerations emphasize the extreme, irrational nature of the fear that would grip the disobedient, illustrating a terror so profound that it is triggered by the most insignificant stimuli and leads to self-inflicted defeat. **Imagery** is richly used, painting a vivid picture of a people consumed by fear: the rustling leaf, the desperate flight as from a sword, and the humiliating fall. This sensory language allows the reader to viscerally experience the psychological state being described. The verse also demonstrates **divine agency**, explicitly stating "I will send a faintness," which underscores that this internal torment is not accidental but a direct, intentional act of God's judgment, a consequence of covenant unfaithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 26:36 profoundly illustrates the theological principle that sin, particularly covenant unfaithfulness, leads not only to external consequences but also to deep internal spiritual and psychological turmoil. It reveals God's justice in allowing the natural consequences of a broken relationship to manifest as a loss of peace, security, and courage. The "faintness of heart" is a divine judgment that strips away the very inner fortitude that allows a people to stand firm, demonstrating that true security comes from alignment with God's will and reliance on His protective presence. This internal terror is a stark contrast to the boldness and peace promised to the righteous.

* [Proverbs 28:1](/proverbs/28-1 "Proverbs 28:1 - The Wicked Flee When No One Pursues")
* [Deuteronomy 28:65-67](/deuteronomy/28-65 "Deuteronomy 28:65-67 - Terror in Exile")
* [Isaiah 33:14](/isaiah/33-14 "Isaiah 33:14 - Terror of the Ungodly")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Leviticus 26:36 speaks to the national covenant of ancient Israel, its principles offer timeless insights for individual spiritual lives. Persistent disobedience to God's commands can indeed lead to a "faintness of heart"—a pervasive sense of anxiety, a lack of peace, and a susceptibility to irrational fears, even when no tangible threat exists. When we live out of alignment with God's revealed will, our conscience can become a source of internal unrest, eroding our spiritual fortitude and making us vulnerable to the "shaken leaves" of life. Conversely, walking in obedience, trusting in God's sovereignty, and cultivating a clear conscience through repentance and faith provides true inner peace and courage. This allows us to face life's challenges with boldness, knowing that our security is rooted not in our circumstances but in our relationship with the Almighty. The verse serves as a powerful reminder that true well-being—spiritual, psychological, and emotional—is deeply intertwined with our adherence to divine wisdom and our commitment to God's covenant.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might "faintness of heart" or irrational fears indicate a departure from God's will or a lack of trust in His sovereignty?**
* **How does a life of obedience and consistent reliance on God's promises cultivate true inner peace and courage, enabling me to stand firm rather than flee from imaginary threats?**
* **What "shaken leaves" in my daily experience cause disproportionate anxiety or fear, and how can I address these through spiritual disciplines and a renewed focus on God's presence?**

### FAQ
**Is this "faintness" a literal curse from God or a psychological consequence of sin?**

Answer: It is both. The text explicitly states, "I will send a faintness," indicating God's active involvement in bringing about this judgment. This "faintness" is a divinely orchestrated consequence, but it manifests as a profound psychological and spiritual state of terror, paranoia, and loss of courage. It highlights how God's judgment can operate through the internal breakdown of a person or nation when they reject His covenant. It's not merely a natural outcome of sin, but a specific form of divine discipline that impacts the inner being, demonstrating that God can give people over to their own fears and anxieties when they forsake Him, as seen in passages like [Romans 1:24](/romans/1-24 "Romans 1:24 - God Gives Them Over to Their Desires").

**How does this verse relate to modern discussions of anxiety or mental health?**

Answer: While Leviticus 26:36 is not a clinical diagnosis, it offers profound spiritual insight into the human condition. Persistent disobedience and a broken relationship with God can indeed erode one's inner peace, leading to heightened anxiety, fear, and a sense of vulnerability. The "faintness of heart" described here can be understood as a spiritual precursor or contributor to psychological distress. However, it is crucial to distinguish between spiritual consequences of sin and clinical mental health conditions, which may require professional help. The Bible consistently teaches that God is a God of peace ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")), and a right relationship with Him is foundational for true well-being, though it does not negate the need for medical or psychological care when appropriate.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 26:36 vividly portrays the terrifying consequences of covenant unfaithfulness—a "faintness of heart" and crippling fear that leads to self-destruction. This curse, like all curses of the Law, points to humanity's desperate need for a deliverer. Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the Law and, more profoundly, absorbed its curses on our behalf. On the cross, He became a curse for us ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")), experiencing the ultimate "faintness" and abandonment in His agony in Gethsemane and His cry from the cross ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). Through His atoning sacrifice, those who trust in Him are redeemed from the fear of judgment and the internal torment of sin. We no longer need to flee from the "sound of a shaken leaf" or fall when "none pursueth," for Christ is our true refuge and strength ([Psalm 46:1](/psalm/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength")). He has given us not a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind ([2 Timothy 1:7](/2_timothy/1-7 "2 Timothy 1:7 - Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Control")), enabling us to stand boldly in His grace, free from the terror that once enslaved the disobedient.

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 21:7

And it shall be, when they say unto thee, Wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, For the tidings; because it cometh: and every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak [as] water: behold, it cometh, and shall be brought to pass, saith the Lord GOD.

Isaiah 30:17

One thousand [shall flee] at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.

Leviticus 26:17

And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.

Joshua 5:1

¶ And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which [were] on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which [were] by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.

Job 15:21

A dreadful sound [is] in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.

Job 15:22

He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.

1 Samuel 17:24

And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.