Leviticus 26:37

KJV

And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they shall fall {H3782} one {H376} upon another {H251}, as it were before {H6440} a sword {H2719}, when none pursueth {H7291}: and ye shall have no power to stand {H8617} before {H6440} your enemies {H341}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes, with no one pursuing they will stumble over each other as if fleeing the sword - you will have no power to stand before your enemies.

Berean Standard Bible

They will stumble over one another as before the sword, though no one is behind them. So you will not be able to stand against your enemies.

American Standard Version

And they shall stumble one upon another, as it were before the sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 26:37 delivers a chilling prophecy of the consequences of Israel's covenant disobedience, depicting a nation so utterly demoralized and devoid of divine protection that its people collapse in panic, fleeing in disarray as if before a pursuing sword, even when no enemy is present. This verse powerfully illustrates a profound internal collapse—a psychological and spiritual paralysis—that renders them incapable of standing firm against any adversary, symbolizing a complete loss of strength, courage, and God's sustaining presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Leviticus chapter 26, a pivotal section that functions as the climactic conclusion to the legal and ritual instructions given to Israel. Following a detailed exposition of the covenant stipulations, the chapter presents a stark dichotomy: blessings for obedience (Leviticus 26:3-13) and escalating curses for disobedience (Leviticus 26:14-45). Verse 37 falls deep within the curses, specifically describing the psychological and physical breakdown that would accompany national defeat and exile. It follows descriptions of famine, pestilence, and military defeat, intensifying the picture of national collapse by focusing on the internal terror and self-inflicted chaos that would plague the disobedient nation, even prior to direct enemy engagement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The covenant established at Mount Sinai, detailed in books like [Exodus](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Sinai Covenant") and [Leviticus](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses"), formed the foundational relationship between Yahweh and Israel. This covenant was conditional, promising blessing for fidelity and severe judgment for apostasy. In the ancient Near East, national prosperity and military success were often attributed to the favor of a nation's gods. Conversely, defeat and internal chaos were seen as signs of divine displeasure or abandonment. Leviticus 26:37 speaks directly to this worldview, portraying a nation so thoroughly abandoned by its God that its own internal fears become its undoing, a fate far worse than mere military defeat. This psychological terror would culminate in the ultimate curse of exile, as foreshadowed in later verses like [Leviticus 26:33](/leviticus/26-33 "Leviticus 26:33 - Scattering Among the Nations"), where the land itself would be desolate.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fall (Hebrew, _nāphal'_):** The Hebrew verb נָפַל (_nāphal_) means "to fall, lie, be cast down." In this context, it conveys a sense of collapsing, stumbling, or being overthrown in a chaotic and uncontrolled manner. The repetition "fall one upon another" emphasizes the utter disarray and lack of coordination among the people, suggesting a panicked flight where individuals trip over each other rather than maintaining any semblance of order or defense. This is a picture of internal collapse before external pressure.
* **Pursueth (Hebrew, _rādhaph'_):** The word רָדַף (_rādhaph_) means "to pursue, chase, hunt." The phrase "when none pursueth" is particularly poignant, highlighting the irrationality and psychological dimension of the judgment. The terror is not generated by an actual, visible enemy chasing them, but by an internal, self-generated panic or a pervasive sense of dread that causes them to flee from an imagined or unseen threat. This underscores the depth of their demoralization and the withdrawal of divine courage.
* **Stand (Hebrew, _qūm'_):** The verb קוּם (_qūm_) means "to rise, stand up, endure." The declaration "ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies" signifies a complete loss of ability to resist, defend, or maintain their ground. It implies not only physical weakness but also a spiritual and moral incapacitation, emphasizing their utter vulnerability and the absence of divine strength or fortitude that would normally enable them to face their adversaries.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they shall fall one upon another":** This clause paints a vivid picture of utter disarray and panic. The people are not simply fleeing, but collapsing into each other, stumbling and tripping in a chaotic heap. This suggests a complete breakdown of order, discipline, and even individual self-preservation, indicating a profound internal terror that overrides rational action.
* **"as it were before a sword":** This simile intensifies the image of terror. The panic is so severe that it mimics the immediate, life-threatening fear experienced when facing a drawn sword. The "sword" here symbolizes an imminent, deadly threat, even though, in the context of the next phrase, no such physical weapon is actively pursuing them.
* **"when none pursueth":** This is the most striking and psychologically devastating element of the verse. It reveals that the source of their flight and collapse is not an external, tangible enemy, but an internal, self-inflicted terror or a pervasive sense of dread. Their own fears, anxieties, and the weight of their disobedience become the "pursuer," driving them to irrational panic and disarray. This highlights the spiritual and psychological dimension of God's judgment.
* **"and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies":** This final clause summarizes the ultimate consequence of their internal collapse. Because they are consumed by self-generated fear and disorganization, they lose all capacity for resistance. The ability to "stand" implies courage, strength, and defensive capability. Without God's favor, they are utterly vulnerable, unable to face even potential adversaries, let alone actual ones.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 26:37 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the severity of the covenant curses. **Hyperbole** is evident in the description of people falling over each other "when none pursueth," exaggerating the degree of their panic to emphasize the irrationality and depth of their fear. This also creates a strong sense of **Irony**, as the very people who were promised victory over their enemies (Leviticus 26:7-8) now flee from no one. The "sword" serves as a **Metaphor** for an immediate, deadly threat, even though it's not physically present, highlighting the psychological intensity of their terror. The entire scene functions as **Symbolism** for the complete withdrawal of God's protective presence and the resulting internal moral and spiritual collapse of the nation. The vivid imagery creates a strong sense of **Pathos**, evoking pity and dread for the consequences of disobedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 26:37 powerfully underscores the theological principle that true security and strength are not inherent in a nation's military might or population, but are divinely bestowed and contingent upon covenant faithfulness. The verse reveals that God's judgment for disobedience extends beyond external calamities to include an internal, psychological breakdown, where the very spirit of the people is broken, leading to self-inflicted chaos and an inability to resist even imagined threats. This internal terror is a direct consequence of God withdrawing His sustaining presence and protection, leaving His people vulnerable to their own fears and the demoralizing effects of their sin. It highlights the profound impact of spiritual state on national well-being and the devastating consequences of forsaking the divine source of peace and courage.

* [Proverbs 28:1](/proverbs/28-1 "Proverbs 28:1 - The Wicked Flee When No One Pursues")
* [Deuteronomy 28:25](/deuteronomy/28-25 "Deuteronomy 28:25 - Defeat Before Enemies")
* [Deuteronomy 32:30](/deuteronomy/32-30 "Deuteronomy 32:30 - One Chases a Thousand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 26:37, while rooted in the Old Covenant, offers timeless spiritual lessons for believers today. It serves as a profound reminder that our inner state—our spiritual health and our relationship with God—profoundly impacts our ability to navigate the challenges of life. When we drift from God's commands and His presence, we can become susceptible to internal anxieties, irrational fears, and a sense of vulnerability, even when external threats are not immediately apparent. True strength, courage, and peace are not found in self-reliance or worldly defenses, but in a steadfast reliance on God, who is our ultimate protector and source of fortitude. This verse calls us to cultivate a consistent walk of faith, trusting in God's faithfulness and seeking His presence, so that we may stand firm against the spiritual and psychological battles we face, rather than succumbing to panic and disarray.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I experience a "falling one upon another" or an irrational fear, even "when none pursueth"? What might this reveal about my spiritual state or reliance on God?**
* **How does a strong, consistent relationship with God empower me to "stand before my enemies" (whether spiritual, emotional, or circumstantial) rather than succumbing to fear?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper trust in God's protection and presence, so that I might experience His peace instead of internal terror?**

### FAQ
**Does Leviticus 26:37 imply that all fear or anxiety is a direct result of personal disobedience?**

Answer: While Leviticus 26:37 clearly links the described panic and inability to stand to Israel's national disobedience under the Old Covenant, it's crucial to interpret this within its specific context. The curses in Leviticus 26 are part of a national covenant, where corporate faithfulness led to corporate blessing, and corporate disobedience led to corporate judgment. Therefore, the "fear when none pursueth" here is a specific manifestation of divine judgment on a disobedient nation, resulting in a profound loss of morale and divine protection.

For individuals today, while sin can certainly lead to anxiety and a loss of peace (as seen in passages like [Psalm 38:3](/psalm/38-3 "Psalm 38:3 - No Soundness in My Bones Because of My Sin") or [Isaiah 57:21](/isaiah/57-21 "Isaiah 57:21 - No Peace for the Wicked")), not all fear or anxiety is a direct punitive consequence of personal sin. We live in a fallen world, and fear can stem from various sources: trauma, mental health conditions, external pressures, or even a natural human response to danger. The Bible often encourages us not to fear (e.g., [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - Do Not Fear, For I Am With You")), and it provides comfort and strength for those struggling with fear, regardless of its origin. The key takeaway from Leviticus 26:37 for us is the profound peace and stability that comes from a right relationship with God, and the internal chaos that can result when that relationship is fractured.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 26:37, with its stark depiction of a people utterly demoralized and incapable of standing against their enemies due to internal terror and the absence of divine favor, finds its ultimate reversal and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The curse of being unable to stand, of falling in fear when no one pursues, speaks to humanity's inherent spiritual weakness and vulnerability apart from God. Humanity, in its fallen state, is indeed pursued by its own sin, by the Law's condemnation, and by the spiritual forces of darkness, leading to a profound internal disquiet and an inability to truly stand firm. However, Christ, through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, bore the full weight of the covenant curses, including the spiritual and psychological terror of separation from God (as hinted at in [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?")). He conquered sin, death, and the devil, disarming the spiritual enemies that truly pursue us ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Through His resurrection, He provides His followers with a new power to stand—not in their own strength, but in His. Believers are now "strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might" ([Ephesians 6:10](/ephesians/6-10 "Ephesians 6:10 - Be Strong in the Lord")), equipped to "stand against the schemes of the devil" ([Ephesians 6:11](/ephesians/6-11 "Ephesians 6:11 - Stand Against the Schemes of the Devil")). The Holy Spirit, indwelling believers, replaces the spirit of fear with "a spirit of power and love and self-control" ([2 Timothy 1:7](/2_timothy/1-7 "2 Timothy 1:7 - Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Control")), enabling them to walk in peace and confidence, even when facing adversity, because their ultimate security is found in Christ's finished work and His unending presence ([Hebrews 13:5-6](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You")).

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

Judges 2:14

And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

Joshua 7:12

Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, [but] turned [their] backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.

Joshua 7:13

Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, [There is] an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.

Judges 7:22

And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, [and] to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.

Jeremiah 37:10

For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained [but] wounded men among them, [yet] should they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire.

Isaiah 10:4

Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

Numbers 14:42

Go not up, for the LORD [is] not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies.