Leviticus 26:38 Meaning and Explanation
“And ye shall perish among the heathen, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Exile leads to gradual extinction; Israel is consumed by the lands where they are scattered.
The Context of Leviticus 26:38
The curse reaches its conclusion: Israel faces cultural extinction through diaspora and absorption.
What Does Leviticus 26:38 Mean?
Perish—to come to an end, be destroyed—describes Israel's gradual disappearance among the nations. The land of enemies eats them up: they are absorbed, assimilated, or lost to disease and hardship. The image of the land devouring conveys slow consumption rather than dramatic massacre.
This verse describes the threat of cultural and national obliteration: Israel loses not just the promised land but their very existence as a distinct people. Yet the next verses (40-45) will reveal that this endpoint is not final.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 26:38
What does Leviticus 26:38 mean?
Exile leads to gradual extinction; Israel is consumed by the lands where they are scattered.
What is the context of Leviticus 26:38?
The curse reaches its conclusion: Israel faces cultural extinction through diaspora and absorption.