And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:

LEVITICUS 26:41KJV
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Leviticus 26:41 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 26:41 mean?

Leviticus 26:41 says that if the Israelites, after being punished and taken into the land of their enemies, humble themselves and accept responsibility for their wrongdoing, God will recognize their change of heart. The verse highlights the importance of humility and acknowledgment of guilt as a turning point for restoration.

In this verse, God is speaking to the people of Israel through Moses, warning them of the consequences if they break the covenant. The context is a list of blessings for obedience and punishments for disobedience. Here, God describes how He has acted "contrary" to the Israelites by allowing them to be conquered, but also leaves open the possibility of mercy if they respond with genuine humility and acceptance of their punishment.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 26:41

  • "Contrary" (קֶרִי, qeri): This word often means "hostile" or "opposing." God says He has acted in opposition to the Israelites, mirroring their own stubbornness.
  • "Uncircumcised" (עָרֵל, arel) "hearts" (לֵבָב, levav): The phrase "uncircumcised hearts" points to stubbornness or a lack of spiritual openness, not just a physical state. It suggests that their hearts were closed off from God.
  • "Humbled" (כָּנַע, kana): This word means to be brought low or to submit. The verse focuses on the Israelites becoming truly humble in spirit, not just outwardly.
  • "Accept" (רָצָה, ratsah): This word means to be pleased with or to accept. Here, it means to willingly bear or acknowledge the consequences of their actions.

Why Leviticus 26:41 matters

  • Leviticus 26:41 clarifies that restoration with God is possible even after severe consequences, but only if there is genuine humility and acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
  • The verse emphasizes that the real issue is not just outward actions but the condition of the heart, using the image of an "uncircumcised heart" to describe spiritual stubbornness.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme of Leviticus 26, where both judgment and the possibility of restoration are presented, showing God's desire for repentance rather than punishment.

Where else these words appear

“contrary” Hebrew H7147 · used in 7 verses

  • Leviticus 26:21 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.
  • Leviticus 26:24 Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins.
  • Leviticus 26:28 Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.

“then” Hebrew H176 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 24:49 And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.
  • Exodus 21:31 Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.
  • 2 Samuel 18:13 Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.

“uncircumcised” Hebrew H6189 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
  • 1 Samuel 17:36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
  • Ezekiel 32:21 The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

“humbled” Hebrew H3665 · used in 32 verses

  • Deuteronomy 9:3 Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.
  • 1 Chronicles 18:1 Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,