Leviticus 26:18 Meaning and Explanation
“And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If Israel does not repent after initial curses, punishments escalate sevenfold.
The Context of Leviticus 26:18
The curse escalates in a sevenfold pattern, giving Israel repeated opportunities to repent and turn.
What Does Leviticus 26:18 Mean?
Seven times more is not arithmetic but covenant language: complete, full, total multiplication of consequence. Yet it carries an implicit offer: 'if ye will... hearken unto me'—return at any moment, and the cascade stops. The escalation assumes Israel has the chance to repent.
This pattern—curse, opportunity to repent, escalation if unrepentant—is the covenant's mercy structure. God does not annihilate at once but allows Israel to choose differently.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 26:18
What does Leviticus 26:18 mean?
If Israel does not repent after initial curses, punishments escalate sevenfold.
What is the context of Leviticus 26:18?
The curse escalates in a sevenfold pattern, giving Israel repeated opportunities to repent and turn.