Leviticus 26:46 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 26:46 mean?

Leviticus 26:46 states that the laws, rules, and commands just described were given by the LORD to the Israelites at Mount Sinai through Moses. This verse sums up and closes a section by making clear that everything in the previous chapters comes directly from God, not from Moses himself.

Leviticus 26:46 comes at the end of a long list of blessings and warnings. The speaker is the narrator, summarizing that the LORD (the personal name for God, often written as יהוה / YHWH / Yahweh) gave these instructions to the people of Israel, with Moses acting as the messenger. The setting is Mount Sinai, where the Israelites received the foundational parts of their covenant with God.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 26:46

• "Statutes" (חֻקִּים / ḥuqqim): This word refers to specific decrees or rules that may not always have an obvious reason but are to be followed because God commands them.
• "Judgments" (מִשְׁפָּטִים / mishpatim): These are legal decisions or ordinances, often dealing with justice and how people should treat one another.
• "Laws" (תּוֹרָה / torah): This word means "instruction" or "teaching" and can refer to the whole body of guidance God gives, not just legal rules.
• "By the hand of Moses" (בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁה / b’yad-Mosheh): This phrase highlights that Moses was the agent or messenger, but the source of the commands is the LORD.

Why Leviticus 26:46 matters

• Leviticus 26:46 makes it clear that the laws in Leviticus are not just human traditions or ideas from Moses, but are presented as direct instructions from God to the Israelites.
• The verse emphasizes the setting—Mount Sinai—reminding readers that these laws are part of a larger covenant moment, tying back to the dramatic events of Exodus.
• By listing "statutes," "judgments," and "laws," the verse shows that God's instructions cover many areas of life, not just religious rituals but also justice and daily living.