And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours.

LEVITICUS 26:31KJV
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Leviticus 26:31 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 26:31 mean?

Leviticus 26:31 describes God warning the Israelites that if they turn away from Him, He will allow their cities to become ruins, their holy places to be destroyed, and He will no longer accept their offerings as pleasing. This verse shows the seriousness of breaking the covenant with God, highlighting the loss of both security and relationship.

In this verse, God is speaking to the people of Israel through Moses, laying out the consequences for disobedience to His commands. The context is a list of blessings for obedience and punishments for rebellion. The verse emphasizes that not only will physical places like cities and sanctuaries be devastated, but even the rituals meant to honor God will be rejected if the relationship is broken.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 26:31

  • "make" (נָתַן, natan): This word means "to give" or "to set," and here it carries the sense of God actively allowing or causing the cities to become waste, not just passively letting it happen.
  • "waste" (חָרְבָּה, chorbah): This word means "ruin" or "desolation," emphasizing total devastation rather than just damage.
  • "sanctuaries" (מִקְדָּשׁ, miqdash): This refers to holy places, not just the main tabernacle or temple, but any place set apart for worship, showing the widespread effect of the judgment.
  • "smell" (רֵיחַ, reyach): The phrase "I will not smell the savour" uses this word for "smell," which often means to accept or take pleasure in an offering. Here, it means God will no longer accept their worship.

Why Leviticus 26:31 matters

  • Leviticus 26:31 clarifies that ritual acts alone are not enough; a broken relationship with God means even sincere offerings are rejected.
  • The verse highlights that God's judgment affects both public life (cities) and spiritual life (sanctuaries), showing the deep consequences of turning away from Him.
  • This warning fits into the larger pattern of covenant blessings and curses in Leviticus 26, helping readers see the seriousness of Israel's covenant responsibilities.