Leviticus 26:33 Meaning and Explanation
“And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel is scattered among nations, pursued by sword, while the land lies empty.
The Context of Leviticus 26:33
Exile and diaspora: Israel loses both land and political existence, scattered as refugees among foreign peoples.
What Does Leviticus 26:33 Mean?
Scattering (diaspora) is the final dissolution: no longer a people in a land, but a people dispersed. The sword is drawn—unsheathed and pursuing—following Israel even into exile. They do not find safety among the nations but carry their judgment with them.
The repetition of desolation and waste emphasizes the completeness: not just the people scattered, but their land emptied and their cities ruined. The covenant relationship with the land is severed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 26:33
What does Leviticus 26:33 mean?
Israel is scattered among nations, pursued by sword, while the land lies empty.
What is the context of Leviticus 26:33?
Exile and diaspora: Israel loses both land and political existence, scattered as refugees among foreign peoples.