Leviticus 26:45

KJV

But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I [am] the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

But I will for their sakes remember {H2142} the covenant {H1285} of their ancestors {H7223}, whom I brought forth {H3318} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} in the sight {H5869} of the heathen {H1471}, that I might be their God {H430}: I am the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Rather, for their sakes, I will remember the covenant of their ancestors whom I brought out of the land of Egypt -with the nations watching -so that I might be their God; I am ADONAI.'"

Berean Standard Bible

But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their fathers, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God. I am the LORD.”

American Standard Version

but I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God: I am Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 26:45 serves as a profound declaration of God's unwavering covenant faithfulness, even in the face of Israel's disobedience and the subsequent enactment of divine judgment. Following a detailed exposition of blessings for obedience and severe curses for rebellion, this verse introduces a pivotal message of hope, assuring the exiled nation that God's ultimate commitment to His foundational promises, particularly those made to their ancestors and demonstrated in the Exodus, would prevent their utter destruction. It underscores that God's character is intrinsically linked to His identity as the sovereign, covenant-keeping LORD, whose purposes extend beyond immediate punishment to ultimate restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 26 concludes the legal and ritual instructions given to Israel, transitioning into a prophetic summary of the consequences of obedience and disobedience. The chapter begins with a clear articulation of blessings for adherence to God's commandments, promising prosperity, peace, and God's abiding presence. Conversely, it meticulously details a terrifying cascade of curses for rebellion, including famine, disease, defeat by enemies, and ultimately, exile from the promised land. These severe warnings are designed to impress upon Israel the gravity of their covenant obligations. However, after outlining the direst possibilities of national collapse and dispersion, verses 40-45 introduce a crucial turning point. This section reveals God's conditional mercy, stating that if the people humble themselves and confess their iniquity, God will "remember" His covenant. Verse 45, therefore, stands as the climax of this promise of remembrance, assuring that God's prior, unconditional covenants with the patriarchs serve as an unshakeable foundation for future restoration, preventing complete annihilation despite deserved judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Leviticus was given to Israel at Mount Sinai, shortly after their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage, as they prepared to enter the promised land. The covenant outlined in Leviticus 26, often referred to as the Mosaic Covenant, established the terms of their relationship with God in the land. Historically, Israel would indeed experience periods of profound disobedience, leading to the very curses described in this chapter, culminating in the Babylonian exile (e.g., [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem")). For a people facing or experiencing such a devastating exile, the promise in [Leviticus 26:45](/leviticus/26-45 "Leviticus 26:45 - God's Covenant Remembered") would have been a lifeline—a divine assurance that their God, YHWH, would not completely abandon them. Culturally, covenants in the ancient Near East often included both blessings and curses, but the divine remembrance of an earlier, unconditional covenant, even amidst the breaking of a later, conditional one, highlights the unique and gracious character of Israel's God. The reference to being brought "out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen" also underscores the public nature of God's redemptive act and His reputation among surrounding nations, reinforcing His commitment to His chosen people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remember (Hebrew, _zakhar_):** In biblical Hebrew, "remember" signifies much more than a mere mental recall. When God "remembered" a covenant, it implied a purposeful, active, and effective engagement on His part to fulfill His promises and act on behalf of those with whom the covenant was made. It denotes a turning of attention and a movement towards action, often involving intervention or restoration. Here, God's remembrance of the ancestral covenant ensures that His people will not be utterly consumed, even when they face the consequences of their sin.
* **Covenant (Hebrew, _berith_):** This term refers to a solemn, binding agreement, often initiated by a superior party (God) and involving specific obligations and promises. In this verse, "the covenant of their ancestors" primarily refers to the unconditional promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (e.g., [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Abrahamic Covenant"), [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abram"), [Genesis 17:7](/genesis/17-7 "Genesis 17:7 - The Everlasting Covenant")). These patriarchal covenants, unlike the conditional Mosaic Covenant given at Sinai, were not dependent on Israel's obedience for their ultimate fulfillment, providing a bedrock of hope for the nation's future.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH_):** This is the Tetragrammaton, God's unique, personal, and covenantal name, often rendered as Yahweh. It emphasizes His eternal, self-existent nature and His active, faithful presence in the affairs of His people. The declaration "I am the LORD" is a powerful affirmation of His absolute sovereignty, His unchanging character, and His unassailable authority to both execute judgment and fulfill His promises, including the promise of remembrance and restoration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors,"**: This clause introduces a profound shift from the preceding curses, marked by the conjunction "But." It highlights God's initiative and mercy. The phrase "for their sakes" underscores that God's action is rooted in His own character and prior commitments, not in any merit of the people. His "remembering" is an active resolve to uphold the unconditional promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which guaranteed their descendants' existence, land, and a special relationship with God, regardless of their present disobedience under the Mosaic Covenant.
* **"whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen,"**: This segment grounds God's covenantal remembrance in a foundational historical act of redemption—the Exodus. This event was the definitive demonstration of God's power, His choice of Israel, and His commitment to them as His people. The phrase "in the sight of the heathen" emphasizes the public, undeniable nature of this divine intervention, serving as a testimony to God's unique power and faithfulness to all nations, reinforcing His claim over Israel.
* **"that I might be their God: I [am] the LORD."**: This concluding declaration reasserts the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive acts and covenantal faithfulness: to establish and maintain His unique relationship with Israel. The goal is not merely deliverance but intimate communion, where He is unequivocally "their God." The final, emphatic declaration, "I am the LORD," uses God's personal covenant name (YHWH), serving as a powerful, self-attesting statement of His unchanging identity, authority, and unwavering commitment to His word. It is a divine signature, guaranteeing the truth and certainty of His promise to remember and act.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 26:45 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message of hope and divine faithfulness. **Divine Speech** is paramount, as God Himself speaks in the first person ("I will... I brought... I might be... I am the LORD"), emphasizing His direct agency, sovereignty, and personal commitment. This is reinforced by the **Repetition** of the divine self-declaration, "I am the LORD," a recurring motif throughout the Pentateuch that serves as a powerful affirmation of God's unchanging character and authority. The verse stands in stark **Contrast** or **Antithesis** to the preceding verses detailing severe curses, highlighting God's mercy and grace as the ultimate backdrop to His justice. It presents a glimmer of hope amidst judgment, a testament to God's enduring love. Furthermore, the explicit **Historical Allusion** to the Exodus ("whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt") serves as a powerful reminder of God's past faithfulness and His foundational act of redemption, providing a basis for future hope. This allusion also functions as **Symbolism**, where the Exodus represents God's power to deliver and His unyielding commitment to His covenant people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 26:45 is a theological cornerstone, revealing the profound depth of God's covenantal faithfulness that transcends human failure. It powerfully demonstrates that while God is just in executing the consequences of sin according to the conditional Mosaic covenant, His ultimate character is defined by His unwavering commitment to His prior, unconditional promises. This verse establishes that God's "remembering" is an active, purposeful act rooted in His own unchanging nature and His redemptive plan, rather than a mere passive recall. It assures that even in the darkest moments of judgment and exile, God's ultimate purpose for His people is not annihilation but restoration, driven by His sovereign identity as YHWH and His foundational act of bringing Israel out of Egypt. This divine faithfulness provides an enduring anchor of hope, demonstrating that God's love and promises are immutable.

* [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abram")
* [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The Promise of a New Covenant")
* [Romans 11:28-29](/romans/11-28 "Romans 11:28-29 - God's Irrevocable Gifts and Calling")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 26:45 offers profound comfort and enduring hope for believers today, demonstrating that God's faithfulness is not contingent upon our perfect obedience, but on His unchanging character and His eternal, unconditional promises. In a world where commitments are often broken and trust is fragile, this verse assures us that God remains true to His word, even when we falter. It teaches us that while our actions have consequences, God's ultimate response to our sin is tempered by His steadfast love and His overarching redemptive plan. When we experience the natural consequences of our choices, or when we feel distant from God due to our shortcomings, we can find solace in knowing that His covenantal love for His people endures. This truth should inspire both humility and confidence: humility in recognizing our need for His grace, and confidence in His unwavering commitment to complete the good work He has begun in us, ultimately leading us to restoration and closer communion with Him. It calls us to trust in His character, not our performance, and to remember His past acts of deliverance as a guarantee of His future faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's "remembering" in this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of His character?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust in God's unwavering faithfulness, even when you feel you've failed or are facing difficult consequences?**
* **How does the Exodus event, referenced here, serve as a foundational promise of God's redemptive power for believers today?**

### FAQ
**What is the "covenant of their ancestors" that God remembers?**

Answer: The "covenant of their ancestors" primarily refers to the unconditional promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, often called the Abrahamic Covenant. These promises included the land, a numerous offspring who would become a great nation, and the blessing of all nations through them (e.g., [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Abrahamic Covenant")). Unlike the Mosaic Covenant given at Sinai, which outlined conditional blessings and curses based on Israel's obedience, the patriarchal covenants were unilateral and guaranteed by God's own faithfulness, providing a secure foundation for Israel's future existence and ultimate restoration, even in times of judgment.

**How does this verse offer hope amidst the curses described in Leviticus 26?**

Answer: [Leviticus 26:45](/leviticus/26-45 "Leviticus 26:45 - God's Covenant Remembered") offers a profound glimmer of hope by assuring Israel that even if they fully experience the severe curses of disobedience, including exile, God will not utterly abandon them. The preceding verses detail national devastation, but this verse introduces God's active "remembrance" of His prior, unconditional covenants. This means that despite their failures, God's ultimate purpose for Israel is not annihilation but preservation and eventual restoration, rooted in His own faithful character and His foundational promises to their ancestors. It signifies that His judgment is corrective, not annihilative, always holding open the door for repentance and renewal.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 26:45, with its declaration of God's unwavering remembrance of His ancestral covenant, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While God's faithfulness ensured Israel's preservation as a nation, preventing their complete annihilation, the deeper spiritual reality of being God's people and having Him as "their God" is fully realized in the new covenant established through Christ's atoning sacrifice. The old covenant, though conditional, pointed to a greater, unconditional work of redemption. Just as God remembered His promises to Abraham, He perfectly fulfilled them in Christ, who is the true seed of Abraham (see [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - Christ, the Seed of Abraham")). Through Jesus, the ultimate Lamb of God, the sin that separated humanity from God is dealt with once for all (as seen in [Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice Once for All")). The "bringing forth out of the land of Egypt" foreshadows the spiritual exodus from the bondage of sin that Christ accomplishes for all who believe (compare [Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")). Ultimately, Christ is the "I AM" (as declared in [John 8:58](/john/8-58 "John 8:58 - Jesus' Divine Claim")), the very LORD who remembers and fulfills every promise. In Him, God's covenantal faithfulness is not merely a historical memory but an active, present reality, guaranteeing eternal life and an unbreakable relationship for all who are united to Him by faith, making them truly "His people" (as promised in [2 Corinthians 6:16](/2_corinthians/6-16 "2 Corinthians 6:16 - God's Dwelling Among Us")).

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

Leviticus 25:38

I [am] the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, [and] to be your God.

Leviticus 22:33

That brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I [am] the LORD.

Ezekiel 20:22

Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.

Psalms 98:2

The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

Psalms 98:3

He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Ezekiel 20:9

But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they [were], in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.

Romans 11:23

And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.