TRV
Translation
King James Version
For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.
Complete Jewish Bible
"'I will turn toward you, make you productive, increase your numbers and uphold my covenant with you.
Berean Standard Bible
I will turn toward you and make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will establish My covenant with you.
American Standard Version
And I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and will establish my covenant with you.
World English Bible Messianic
“‘I will have respect for you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and will establish my covenant with you.
Geneva Bible (1599)
For I will haue respect vnto you, and make you encrease, and multiplie you, and establish my couenant with you.
Young's Literal Translation
`And I have turned unto you, and have made you fruitful, and have multiplied you, and have established My covenant with you;
In the KJVVerse 3,534 of 31,102
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Commentary on Leviticus 26 verses 1–13
1 ¶ Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.
2 Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.
3 If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;
4 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.
5 And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.
6 And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
7 And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.
8 And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.
9 For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.
10 And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new.
11 And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.
12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.
13 I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.
Here is, I. The inculcating of those precepts of the law which were of the greatest consequence, and by which were of the greatest consequence, and by which especially their obedience would be tried, Lev 26:1, Lev 26:2. They are the abstract of the second and fourth commandments, which, as they are by much the largest in the decalogue, so they are most frequently insisted on in other parts of the law. As, when a master has given many things in charge to his servant, he concludes with the repetition of those things which were of the greatest importance, and which the servant was most in danger of neglecting, bidding him, whatever he did, be sure to remember those, so here God by Moses, after many precepts, closes all with a special charge to observe these two great commandments. 1. "Be sure you never worship images, nor ever make any sort of images or pictures for a religious use," Lev 26:1. No sin was more provoking to God than this, and yet there was none that they were more addicted to, and which afterwards proved of more pernicious consequence to them. Next to God's being, unity, and universal influence, it is necessary that we know and believe that he is an infinite Spirit; and therefore to represent him by an image in the making of it, to confine him to an image in the consecrating of it, and to worship him by an image in bowing down to it, changes his truth into a lie and his glory into shame, as much as any thing. 2. "Be sure you keep up a great veneration for sabbaths and religious assemblies," Lev 26:2. As nothing tends more to corrupt religion than the use of images in devotion, so nothing contributes more to the support of it than keeping the sabbaths and reverencing the sanctuary. These make up very much of the instrumental part of religion, by which the essentials of it are kept up. Therefore we find in the prophets that, next to the sin of idolatry, there is no sin for which the Jews are more frequently reproved and threatened than the profanation of the sabbath day.
II. Great encouragements given them to live in constant obedience to all God's commandments, largely and strongly assuring them that if they did so they should be a happy people, and should be blessed with all the good things they could desire. Human governments enforce their laws with penalties to be inflicted for the breach of them; but God will be known as the rewarder of those that seek and serve him. Let us take a view of these great and precious promises, which, though they relate chiefly to the life which now is, and to the public national concerns of that people, were typical of the spiritual blessings entailed by the covenant of grace upon all believers through Christ. 1. Plenty and abundance of the fruits of the earth. They should have seasonable rain, neither too little nor too much, but what was requisite for their land, which was watered with the dew of heaven (Deu 11:10, Deu 11:11), that it might yield its increase, Lev 26:4. The dependence which the fruitfulness of the earth beneath has upon the influences of heaven above is a sensible intimation to us that every good and perfect gift must be expected from above, from the Father of lights. It is promised that the earth should produce its fruits in such great abundance that they would be kept in full employment, during both the harvest and the vintage, to gather it in, Lev 26:5. Before they had reaped their corn and threshed it, the vintage would be ready; and, before they had finished their vintage, it would be high time to begin their sowing. Long harvests are often with us the consequences of bad weather, but with them they should be the effects of a great increase. This signified the abundance of grace which should be poured out in gospel times, when the ploughman should overtake the reaper (Amo 9:13), and a great harvest of souls should be gathered in to Christ. The plenty should be so great that they should bring forth the old to be given away to the poor because of the new, to make room for it in their barns, which yet they would not pull down to build greater, as that rich fool (Luk 12:18), for God gave them this abundance to be laid out, not be hoarded up from one year to another. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him, Pro 11:26. That promise (Mal 3:10), I will pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it, explains this, Lev 26:10. And that which crowns this blessing of plenty is (Lev 26:5), You shall eat your bread to the full, which intimates that they should have, not only abundance, but content and satisfaction in it. They should have enough, and should know when they had enough. Thus the meek shall eat and be satisfied, Psa 22:26. 2. Peace under the divine protection; "You shall dwell in your land safely (Lev 26:5); both really save, and safe in your own apprehensions; you shall lie down to rest in the power and promise of God, and not only none shall hurt you, but none shall so much as make you afraid," Lev 26:6. See Psa 4:8. They should not be infested with wild beasts, these should be rid out of the land, or, as it is promised (Job 5:23), should be at peace with them. Nor should they be terrified with the alarms of war: Neither shall the sword go through your land. This holy security is promised to all the faithful, Psa 91:1, etc. Those must needs dwell in safety that dwell in God, Job 9:18, Job 9:19. 3. Victory and success in their wars abroad, while they had peace and tranquility at home, Lev 26:7, Lev 26:8. They are assured that the hand of God should so signally appear with them in their conquests that no disproportion of numbers should make against them: Five of you shall have courage to attack, and strength to chase and defeat, a hundred, as Jonathan did (Sa1 14:12), experiencing the truth of his own maxim (Lev 26:6), that it is all one with the Lord to save by many or by few. 4. The increase of their people: I will make you fruitful and multiply you, Lev 26:9. Thus the promise made to Abraham must be fulfilled, that his seed should be as the dust of the earth; and much more numerous they would have been if they had by their sin cut themselves short. It is promised to the gospel church that it shall be fruitful, Joh 15:16. 5. The favour of God, which is the fountain of all good: I will have respect unto you, Lev 26:9. If the eye of our faith be unto God, the eye of his favour will be unto us. More is implied than is expressed in that promise, My soul shall not abhor you (Lev 26:11), as there is in that threatening, My soul shall have no pleasure in him, Heb 10:38. Though there was that among them which might justly have alienated him from them, yet, if they would closely adhere to his institutions, he would not abhor them. 6. Tokens of his presence in and by his ordinances: I will set my tabernacle among you, Lev 26:11. It was their honour and advantage that God's tabernacle was lately erected among them; but here he lets them know that the continuance and establishment of it depended upon their good behaviour. The tabernacle that was now set should be settled if they would be obedient, else not. Note, The way to have God's ordinances fixed among us, as a nail in a sure place, is to cleave closely to the institution of them. It is added (Lev 26:12), "I will walk among you, with delight and satisfaction, as a man in his garden; I will keep up communion with you as a man walking with his friend." This seems to be alluded to, Rev 2:1, where Christ is said to walk in the midst of the golden candlesticks. 7. The grace of the covenant, as the fountain and foundation, the sweetness and security, of all these blessings: I will establish my covenant with you, Lev 26:9. Let them perform their part of the covenant, and God would not fail to perform his. All covenant-blessings are summed up in the covenant-relation (Lev 26:12): I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and they are all grounded upon their redemption: I am your God, because I brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, Lev 26:13. Having purchased them, he would own them, and never cast them off till they cast him off. He broke their yoke, and made them go upright, that is, their deliverance out of Egypt put them in a state both of ease and honour, that, being delivered out of the hands of their enemies, they might serve God without fear, each walking in his uprightness. When Israel rejected Christ, and was therefore rejected by him, their back is said to be bowed down always under the burden of their guilt, which was heavier than that of their bondage in Egypt, Rom 11:10.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–13. Public domain.
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Caesarius of ArlesAD 542
SERMON 105.12
“I will look with favor upon you and make you fruitful.” Full of blessedness is the man upon whom God looks with favor. Do you want to understand how great is the salvation of a man upon whom the Lord looks [with favor]? Peter had once perished and at the prompting of the devil through the lips of a servant of the high priest had destroyed the consecration of his apostolic rank. But when the Lord looked at him, he was lifted up at once.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Leviticus 26:9 presents a profound and multifaceted promise from God to the Israelites, assuring them of His benevolent and active attention, the blessing of abundant demographic growth and national prosperity, and the steadfast confirmation of His covenant relationship with them. This verse encapsulates the positive consequences of obedience within the Mosaic covenant, highlighting God's active desire for His people's flourishing and the enduring, reliable nature of His divine commitments.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Leviticus 26 stands as a pivotal and climactic chapter within the book, serving as a comprehensive covenant renewal discourse. It meticulously delineates the blessings and curses associated with Israel's obedience or disobedience to the Mosaic Law. Verses 3-13 specifically enumerate the extensive blessings promised for faithfulness, which include agricultural abundance, profound peace, decisive victory over enemies, and the profound promise of God's indwelling presence. Verse 9, strategically positioned within this section, zeroes in on the vital aspects of national growth and the reaffirmation of God's covenant. It follows earlier promises of timely rain and abundant harvests, as detailed in Leviticus 26:4-5, and precedes the ultimate promise of God's dwelling among them and not abhorring them, as found in Leviticus 26:11-12. This verse, therefore, underscores the deeply personal and national implications of God's favor, ensuring the perpetuation, strength, and unique identity of the covenant people.
Historical & Cultural Context: At the time of Leviticus's composition, the Israelites were encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai, having recently experienced the miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage and entered into a formal, binding covenant with Yahweh. They were a nascent nation, still in their formative stages, poised to enter the Promised Land—a territory already inhabited by numerous, often hostile, peoples. Their emerging national identity, future security, and very survival were intrinsically tied to their relationship with God and their adherence to the covenant. Promises of fruitfulness and multiplication were not merely abstract blessings but practical, existential necessities for a people needing to grow significantly in number to populate the land, establish their presence, and fulfill their divine mandate. The concept of God "establishing His covenant" was profoundly crucial, as it provided an unwavering assurance of divine protection, provision, and faithfulness in a challenging and often hostile world. This promise reinforced the foundational agreement made at Sinai and echoed the earlier, foundational promises to their patriarchs, particularly Abraham, concerning his numerous descendants and the inheritance of the land, as seen in Genesis 12:1-3. The covenant itself was the overarching framework for their entire national existence, governing every aspect of their life from sacred worship to civil law and social order.
Key Themes: Leviticus 26:9 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout the book of Leviticus and the Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of Covenant Faithfulness, highlighting God's unwavering commitment to His promises when His people walk in obedience. It reinforces the Conditional Nature of the Mosaic Covenant, where blessings are directly contingent upon adherence to God's statutes, as explicitly stated in Leviticus 26:3. The verse also strongly emphasizes Divine Blessing and Prosperity, particularly in terms of demographic growth and national strength, which were essential for Israel's role as God's chosen people. Furthermore, it subtly touches upon the theme of God's Presence and Favor, as His "respect" implies His active, benevolent engagement with His people. Finally, the promise of "fruitfulness and multiplication" directly echoes the Creation Mandate found in Genesis 1:28 and the Patriarchal Promises (e.g., Genesis 35:11), linking Israel's present experience to God's consistent plan for humanity and His chosen lineage throughout salvation history.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Leviticus 26:9 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful and reassuring message. The most prominent is Covenant Language, which pervades the entire chapter and defines the conditional relationship between God and Israel. The phrase "establish my covenant" is a direct invocation and reaffirmation of this foundational theological concept. There is also significant Repetition and Echoing of earlier divine promises, particularly the blessing to "be fruitful and multiply" from the creation account in Genesis 1:28 and the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis 17:6. This repetition links the present promise to God's consistent character and His overarching redemptive plan throughout history, emphasizing continuity and divine faithfulness. Furthermore, the phrase "I will have respect unto you" contains an element of Anthropomorphism, attributing human-like action (turning one's face or having regard) to God, making His divine favor and presence more relatable and comprehensible to the human audience, fostering a sense of intimacy and divine care.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 26:9 profoundly articulates God's character as a covenant-keeping God who actively desires and works for the flourishing of His people. It highlights the conditional nature of the Mosaic covenant, where divine blessings are directly linked to human obedience and faithfulness. The themes of God's active favor, the importance of national and spiritual growth, and the unwavering reliability of God to His promises are central to this verse. It reveals that God's ultimate desire for Israel was not merely their physical survival but their thriving and multiplication as a distinct, holy people, serving as a testament to His power and faithfulness, and a vehicle for His redemptive purposes in the world. This verse underscores that true prosperity, in the biblical sense, flows from a right relationship with the Creator, a relationship established and maintained by His grace and human responsiveness.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 26:9 offers timeless and profound insights into God's character and His interaction with humanity. While the specific physical blessings of the Mosaic covenant were unique to ancient Israel, the underlying principles resonate deeply with believers today. God still desires to "have respect unto" His people, manifesting His favor and presence in our lives, not based on our perfect obedience to a legal code, but through His boundless grace in Christ. Our "fruitfulness" today is primarily spiritual – bearing the transformative fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), growing in Christ-likeness, and participating in the multiplication of disciples through evangelism and spiritual formation within the church. This verse powerfully reminds us of God's unwavering faithfulness to "establish His covenant." For us, this is the New Covenant in Christ's blood, a covenant of grace that is eternally secure and not dependent on our fleeting obedience. Therefore, our response should be one of grateful obedience, trusting in God's desire for our spiritual flourishing and His steadfast commitment to His promises, which are definitively "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ Jesus.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is the promise in Leviticus 26:9 conditional for ancient Israel?
Answer: Yes, absolutely. The entire chapter of Leviticus 26 explicitly lays out the conditional nature of the Mosaic covenant. The blessings, including God's respect, fruitfulness, and covenant establishment, are directly contingent upon Israel's obedience to God's statutes and commandments, as clearly stated in Leviticus 26:3. Conversely, disobedience would lead to severe curses and the withdrawal of these blessings.
How does the promise to "make you fruitful, and multiply you" apply to believers in the New Covenant era?
Answer: While the original promise in Leviticus 26:9 referred to physical and national growth for ancient Israel, its spiritual parallel for New Covenant believers is profound and transformative. "Fruitfulness" now primarily refers to the spiritual fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives (love, joy, peace, patience, etc., as described in Galatians 5:22-23) and the fruit of righteousness that glorifies God (Philippians 1:11). "Multiplication" speaks to the growth of the church through evangelism and discipleship, as believers are added to the kingdom of God daily (Acts 2:47) and the gospel spreads globally.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 26:9, with its promises of divine favor, fruitfulness, and covenant establishment, finds its ultimate and unbreakable fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The conditional nature of the Mosaic covenant, under which Israel often faltered and failed to secure the promised blessings, pointed to the profound need for a new and better covenant. In Christ, God truly "has respect unto" humanity, not based on our imperfect works or adherence to law, but through the perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice of His beloved Son. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, making it possible for God to turn His face towards us in unmerited grace and favor. The promise of "fruitfulness and multiplication" is gloriously fulfilled in the spiritual progeny of Christ—the church. Through Him, believers are made spiritually fruitful, bearing the transformative fruit of the Spirit and multiplying as the gospel spreads throughout the world, fulfilling the Great Commission. Most significantly, God's promise to "establish my covenant" is irrevocably secured in the New Covenant, which was inaugurated by Christ's shed blood on the cross (Luke 22:20). This covenant, unlike the old, is not dependent on human obedience for its establishment or maintenance but is an unconditional promise of grace, guaranteeing eternal life and an unbreakable relationship with God for all who believe in His Son (Hebrews 8:6-13). Thus, in Jesus Christ, God's favor, the multiplication of His people, and the eternal establishment of His covenant are perfectly and eternally realized.