Leviticus 26:4

KJV

Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then I will give {H5414} you rain {H1653} in due season {H6256}, and the land {H776} shall yield {H5414} her increase {H2981}, and the trees {H6086} of the field {H7704} shall yield {H5414} their fruit {H6529}.

Complete Jewish Bible

then I will provide the rain you need in its season, the land will yield its produce, and the trees in the field will yield their fruit.

Berean Standard Bible

I will give you rains in their season, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit.

American Standard Version

then I will give your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 26:4 presents a foundational covenant promise from God to Israel, assuring abundant agricultural prosperity—specifically timely rain, a bountiful yield from the land, and prolific fruit from trees—as a direct consequence of their faithful obedience to His commandments. This verse encapsulates the divine provision and sustenance that would enable the nation to flourish in the Promised Land, highlighting God's intimate involvement in their physical well-being and His sovereignty over creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 26 serves as the climactic conclusion to the legal and ritual instructions detailed throughout the book of Leviticus, functioning as a comprehensive summary of the covenant's blessings and curses. It outlines the profound consequences—both positive and negative—that hinge upon Israel's fidelity or infidelity to God's divine laws. Verses 3-13 meticulously enumerate the blessings promised for covenant faithfulness, commencing with the pivotal declaration in [Leviticus 26:3](/leviticus/26-3 "Leviticus 26:3 - Obedience and Blessings") that if Israel "walks in my statutes and keeps my commandments," then divine favor and prosperity will ensue. Verse 4 specifically elaborates on the primary agricultural blessings that would directly follow such faithfulness, painting a picture of a life characterized by abundance and security. This promise stands in stark contrast to the severe curses for disobedience, which are vividly detailed in [Leviticus 26:14-39](/leviticus/26-14-39 "Leviticus 26:14-39 - Curses for Disobedience"), thereby emphasizing the conditional nature of Israel's dwelling in the land and their overall well-being.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was fundamentally an agrarian society, with its very survival and prosperity inextricably linked to the timely and sufficient provision of rainfall. Unlike the predictable annual inundation of the Nile River that sustained Egyptian agriculture, the agricultural success of Canaan was entirely contingent upon the seasonal rains: the "early rains" in autumn, crucial for planting, and the "latter rains" in spring, essential for the ripening of crops. The absence, delay, or unseasonable timing of these rains inevitably led to devastating famine, widespread disease, and societal collapse. Consequently, God's promise in [Leviticus 26:4](/leviticus/26-4 "Leviticus 26:4 - Promise of Rain and Abundance") was far more than a general blessing; it was a specific, life-sustaining assurance directly addressing their most fundamental and precarious need. In a cultural landscape where surrounding nations attributed rain and fertility to capricious pagan deities like Baal, this promise profoundly underscored Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over all creation and His unique, exclusive covenant relationship with Israel. Their well-being was not subject to the whims of false gods or the vagaries of natural chance but was directly linked to their fidelity to the one true God, who alone controlled the very elements essential for life, a truth powerfully echoed in [Deuteronomy 11:13-15](/deuteronomy/11-13-15 "Deuteronomy 11:13-15 - Rain as a Sign of Obedience").

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 26:4 contributes significantly to several overarching theological and narrative themes within Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Divine Blessing**, which establishes a direct correlation between Israel's obedience to God's commands and His tangible, material provision. This verse exemplifies God's character as a **Sovereign Provider**, demonstrating His absolute control over the natural world and His willingness to intervene providentially for His people's sustenance. It also reinforces the theme of **Holiness and Separation**, as Israel's unique relationship with Yahweh, distinct from the pagan nations, is underscored by their reliance on Him alone for the blessings that other cultures sought from idols. Furthermore, it foreshadows the concept of **Shalom (Wholeness/Peace)**, where true flourishing—encompassing physical security, economic stability, and spiritual well-being—is found in alignment with God's will. This promise of agricultural abundance is a concrete manifestation of the "good land" promised to Abraham's descendants, emphasizing the theme of **Promised Land Fulfillment** as a place of divine blessing and sustenance, as seen throughout [the Pentateuch](/genesis/1 "Genesis - The Book of Beginnings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rain (Hebrew, _geshem'_ H1653):** This term refers specifically to a "shower" or "rain," the life-giving precipitation crucial for agricultural success in the ancient Near East. In this context, _geshem_ is presented as a direct, sovereign gift from God, signifying His control over the elements and His benevolent provision for His covenant people. Its timely provision is a clear indicator of divine favor, while its absence or delay would signify divine judgment.
* **Due Season (Hebrew, _ʻêth'_ H6256):** This word denotes "time," specifically a "season" or "appointed time." When paired with rain, it emphasizes not merely the presence of precipitation, but its precise and optimal timing. For an agrarian society, rain at the wrong time (e.g., heavy rains during harvest) could be as detrimental as no rain at all. "Due season" highlights God's perfect wisdom and providential care, ensuring the early rains for planting and the latter rains for ripening, thereby maximizing the land's productivity and minimizing hardship.
* **Increase (Hebrew, _yᵉbûwl'_ H2981):** Derived from a root meaning "to bring forth," _yᵉbûwl_ signifies "produce" or "crop," encompassing the yield of the land. It refers to the grains, vegetables, and other cultivated plants that form the staple diet of the community. The promise that the land shall "yield her increase" speaks to a bountiful harvest, far beyond mere subsistence, signifying prosperity, food security, and material well-being for the entire nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then I will give you rain in due season":** This opening clause unequivocally establishes God as the active agent and ultimate provider. The promise of "rain" directly addresses Israel's most critical agricultural need, while the phrase "in due season" highlights the divine precision and perfect timing of this provision. This is a direct, unilateral promise from God, contingent upon Israel's prior obedience as stated in the preceding verse.
* **"and the land shall yield her increase":** This clause describes the immediate and direct consequence of the timely rain. The "land" is personified, enabled by God's provision to produce its full "increase," referring to the abundant yield of staple crops. This signifies agricultural flourishing, ensuring food security and economic stability for the nation.
* **"and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit":** This final clause extends the promise of abundance beyond staple crops to include the produce of fruit trees. "Trees of the field" would encompass vital sources of nutrition and economic value such as olive trees, fig trees, and grapevines. Their yielding of "their fruit" completes the comprehensive picture of agricultural prosperity, indicating a land flowing with plenty, a tangible testament to God's faithfulness and covenant keeping.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 26:4 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine provision and covenant blessing. **Personification** is clearly evident in the phrase "the land shall yield her increase," attributing a human-like capacity for production and responsiveness to the earth itself. This device vividly portrays the land as actively participating in the divine blessing. This also functions as **Metonymy**, where the "land" and "trees" represent the entire agricultural system and, by extension, the comprehensive economic and physical well-being of the nation. The verse utilizes rich **Imagery** to paint a vivid, sensory picture of abundance: the timely falling rain, fields bursting with ripe crops, and trees laden with fruit. This visual and tactile imagery communicates a tangible, desirable outcome of covenant faithfulness. Furthermore, the entire passage operates as a **Conditional Promise**, where the opening "Then" (implied from the preceding verse's condition) directly links God's action to Israel's prior obedience, establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship within the covenant framework.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 26:4 profoundly illustrates God's character as a faithful, benevolent, and sovereign Provider, intimately involved in the physical well-being of His covenant people. It reinforces the foundational theological principle that all material blessings, especially those essential for life and sustenance, originate solely from Him. This verse underscores the direct connection between obedience to God's revealed will and the experience of His tangible favor, demonstrating that covenant fidelity is not merely a spiritual exercise but has real-world, material consequences. While the New Covenant shifts its primary focus from material blessings to spiritual ones, the underlying principle of God's desire to bless His obedient children remains constant. This promise also highlights God's absolute sovereignty over creation, asserting His control over natural phenomena like rain, which were often attributed to pagan deities in the ancient world, thus affirming His uniqueness, power, and worthiness of exclusive worship.

* [Deuteronomy 28:12](/deuteronomy/28-12 "Deuteronomy 28:12 - Blessings of the Lord's Storehouse")
* [Psalm 1:3](/psalm/1-3 "Psalm 1:3 - The Blessed Man Like a Tree")
* [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 26:4, though deeply rooted in an ancient agrarian context, offers enduring truths and profound challenges for contemporary believers. It compels us to reflect deeply on the ultimate source of all our provision, serving as a powerful reminder that every good and perfect gift, whether tangible or intangible, descends from above. In a world that frequently attributes success solely to human ingenuity, relentless effort, or sheer chance, this verse reorients our perspective, urging us to acknowledge God's sovereign hand in sustaining life and providing for our every need. It challenges us to examine our own "obedience"—not merely as a legalistic duty or a burdensome requirement, but as a posture of profound trust, humble surrender, and intentional alignment with God's divine will. This passage invites us to recognize that our flourishing, whether spiritual, emotional, or material, is intricately intertwined with the depth and authenticity of our relationship with Him. It encourages us to cultivate a spirit of profound gratitude for our daily provisions and to trust implicitly in God's perfect timing, even when circumstances appear uncertain or when our patience is tested. Ultimately, this verse inspires us to live lives marked by unwavering faithfulness, confident that God is both willing and supremely able to provide for those who honor Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to rely more on my own efforts or external circumstances rather than placing my trust in God's sovereign provision?**
* **How does the concept of "rain in due season" encourage me to trust God's timing in my own life, especially when I feel impatient or anxious about outcomes?**
* **What does "yielding increase" and "fruit" look like in my spiritual life, and how might my obedience contribute to that spiritual fruitfulness?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper and more consistent sense of gratitude for God's daily provisions, both the obvious and the often-overlooked blessings?**

### FAQ

**Does this promise of agricultural abundance still apply to believers today?**

Answer: While the specific promise of timely rain and bountiful harvests in [Leviticus 26:4](/leviticus/26-4 "Leviticus 26:4 - Promise of Rain and Abundance") was given within the Old Covenant to the nation of Israel, its underlying principles remain profoundly relevant for believers today. The New Testament consistently teaches that God is still our ultimate Provider (as affirmed in [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply Your Needs")), and that obedience to Him often brings blessings, though these may be primarily spiritual rather than exclusively material (for example, the "spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ" mentioned in [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). The timeless principle that God blesses faithfulness and provides for His people endures, even if the specific form of the blessing has transitioned from a primarily physical, national covenant to a spiritual, individual covenant in Christ. We are called to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, trusting with confidence that He knows and will meet our genuine needs (as powerfully taught by Jesus in [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 26:4, with its promise of physical sustenance and flourishing through divine provision, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant promised literal rain and agricultural abundance as a reward for obedience, Christ embodies the spiritual "rain in due season" for humanity, bringing forth true and lasting fruit that transcends earthly harvests. He is the ultimate source of eternal life, the "bread of life" who perfectly satisfies our deepest spiritual hunger ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus the Bread of Life")), and the "living water" that eternally quenches our spiritual thirst ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus the Living Water")). Through His perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice, Christ provides the spiritual "increase" and "fruit" that the law could only foreshadow—the abiding fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) in the lives of believers ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")), and the abundant life He came to give ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")). Our obedience to Christ, rooted in faith and empowered by the Spirit, leads not merely to temporal prosperity but to eternal life and profound spiritual fruitfulness, making us like trees planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither ([Psalm 1:3](/psalm/1-3 "Psalm 1:3 - The Blessed Man Like a Tree"), applied spiritually). Thus, the physical blessings promised in Leviticus powerfully point forward to the immeasurably richer spiritual blessings and true sustenance found in our union with the obedient Son, Jesus Christ.

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

Zechariah 8:12

For the seed [shall be] prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these [things].

Psalms 67:6

[Then] shall the earth yield her increase; [and] God, [even] our own God, shall bless us.

Ezekiel 34:26

And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.

Ezekiel 34:27

And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.

Deuteronomy 28:12

The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

Deuteronomy 11:14

That I will give [you] the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.

Job 5:10

Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields: