Leviticus 26:44

And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I [am] the LORD their God.

And yet {H637} for all that {H2063}, when they be {H1571} in the land {H776} of their enemies {H341}, I will not cast them away {H3988}, neither will I abhor {H1602} them, to destroy them utterly {H3615}, and to break {H6565} my covenant {H1285} with them: for I am the LORD {H3068} their God {H430}.

Yet, in spite of all that, I will not reject them when they are in the lands of their enemies, nor will I loathe them to the point of utterly destroying them and thus break my covenant with them, because I am ADONAI their God.

Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject or despise them so as to destroy them and break My covenant with them; for I am the LORD their God.

And yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them; for I am Jehovah their God;

Commentary

Leviticus 26:44 is a profound promise of God's enduring faithfulness amidst the severe warnings of judgment for Israel's disobedience. Situated within a chapter that details both blessings for obedience and extensive curses for rebellion against the Mosaic Covenant, this verse offers a glimmer of hope. Even when the nation of Israel would face the consequences of their sin, including exile to the "land of their enemies," God declares that He would not utterly abandon them or break His solemn agreement.

Context

Chapter 26 of Leviticus is a pivotal part of the Pentateuch, laying out the terms of God's covenant with Israel. It explains the prosperity and peace that would follow obedience, and the dire consequences—famine, pestilence, war, and ultimately, exile and dispersion—that would befall them if they broke the covenant. Verse 44 comes at the very end of this long list of curses, after God describes how He would "bring a sword upon you" and "scatter you among the heathen." This verse serves as a divine assurance that despite their future failures and the subsequent judgments, God's commitment to His people, rooted in His character and the Mosaic Covenant, would ultimately prevail. It foreshadows the historical cycles of Israel's sin, exile (like the Babylonian captivity), and eventual restoration.

Key Themes

  • God's Unfailing Faithfulness: The central message is God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people. Even when Israel would be faithless, God remains true to His nature and His promises. He would not "cast them away" or "abhor them" to the point of complete destruction. This highlights a fundamental aspect of God's character, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:9.
  • Divine Mercy Amidst Judgment: Despite the severe warnings and the just punishment for sin, God's mercy shines through. He promises not to utterly destroy His people, demonstrating His compassion and long-suffering love.
  • The Enduring Covenant: The phrase "to break my covenant with them" underscores the permanence of God's promises. While the conditional blessings and curses of the Mosaic Law depended on Israel's obedience, God's ultimate covenant with them, stemming from His foundational promises to Abraham, would not be annulled.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "cast them away" (Hebrew: ma'as) conveys a sense of rejection or disdain. God promises He will not utterly reject Israel.
  • "Abhor" (Hebrew: ga'al) means to loathe or detest. God assures that He will not feel utter repulsion towards His people, even in their worst state.
  • The term "covenant" (Hebrew: berith) is foundational, representing a solemn, binding agreement. God's declaration that He will not break His berith emphasizes His steadfastness and integrity.

Practical Application

Leviticus 26:44 offers profound comfort and reassurance for believers today. It reminds us that God's character is one of unwavering faithfulness, even when we, like ancient Israel, falter or rebel. Our salvation and security are not solely dependent on our perfect obedience, but on God's unchanging nature and His covenant promises in Christ. When we face consequences for our sins or feel distant from God, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that He does not utterly abandon those who are His. His love is steadfast, and His mercies are new every morning. This divine commitment to His people is echoed in the New Testament, assuring us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 9:31 (4 votes)

    Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou [art] a gracious and merciful God.

  • Romans 11:2 (4 votes)

    God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

  • Psalms 94:14 (3 votes)

    For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.

  • 2 Kings 13:23 (3 votes)

    And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

  • Deuteronomy 4:29 (3 votes)

    But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

  • Deuteronomy 4:31 (3 votes)

    (For the LORD thy God [is] a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

  • Psalms 89:33 (2 votes)

    Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.