Leviticus 26:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Continued rebelliousness brings sevenfold increase in plagues, proportional to Israel's sin.
The Context of Leviticus 26:21
The third escalation: plagues multiply sevenfold as Israel persists in walking contrary to God.
What Does Leviticus 26:21 Mean?
Walking contrary unto God is active hostility—choosing the opposite direction from His will. The refusal to hearken compounds the rebellion. The response is sevenfold plagues 'according to your sins'—the severity of punishment matches the degree of rebellion.
The repetition of the sevenfold pattern (verse 18 and now 21) shows that God does not punish in one blow but in stages, each giving Israel opportunity to turn back before escalation.
Leviticus 26:21 in the Original Language
negua (נִגְעִים), 'plagues'—disasters, afflictions, blows from the hand of God, as in Egypt.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 26:21
What does Leviticus 26:21 mean?
Continued rebelliousness brings sevenfold increase in plagues, proportional to Israel's sin.
What is the context of Leviticus 26:21?
The third escalation: plagues multiply sevenfold as Israel persists in walking contrary to God.