And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.

LEVITICUS 26:5KJV
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Leviticus 26:5 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 26:5 mean?

Leviticus 26:5 promises that the people will have such abundant harvests that the work of threshing grain will last until it is time to gather grapes, and the grape harvest will last until it is time to plant again; they will have plenty to eat and live safely in their land. This verse describes a time of overflowing provision and security as a blessing.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses, laying out the blessings that will come if they follow God's commands. The picture is of a land so fruitful that there is no gap between harvests, and people are never in need or danger. This assurance of both food and safety would have been deeply meaningful to a people who depended on the land for survival.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 26:5

  • "Threshing" (דִּישׁ, dîsh): This word refers to the process of separating grain from the husks, a key part of the harvest. Its use here highlights the abundance of grain.
  • "Reach" (נָגַע, nāga‘): This word often means "to touch" or "to reach." Here, it suggests that one harvest will last right up to the next, with no break in abundance.
  • "Vintage" (בָּצִיר, bātsîr): This word means the grape harvest. Mentioning both grain and grapes shows a picture of total agricultural blessing.
  • "Eat" (אָכַל, ’ākal) and "bread" (לֶחֶם, lechem): These words together emphasize not just having food, but having enough to be satisfied.
  • "Full" (שָׂבַע, sāva‘): This word means to be satisfied or filled, not just scraping by.
  • "Dwell" (יָשַׁב, yashav) and "safely" (לָבֶטַח, lavetach): These words together stress not just living in the land, but living there with peace and security.

Why Leviticus 26:5 matters

  • Leviticus 26:5 clears up any idea that God's blessings are only spiritual; the verse promises real, physical abundance and safety.
  • The verse emphasizes that obedience to God is tied to the well-being of the whole community, not just individuals.
  • This verse connects to the wider chapter, which contrasts blessings for obedience with warnings about disobedience, making the promise of provision and safety stand out even more.

Where else these words appear

“vintage” Hebrew H1210 · used in 6 verses

  • Judges 8:2 And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?
  • Isaiah 24:13 When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done.
  • Jeremiah 48:32 O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer: the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.

“full” Hebrew H7648 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 16:3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
  • Deuteronomy 23:24 When thou comest into thy neighbour's vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel.
  • Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

“safely” Hebrew H983 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 34:25 And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
  • Psalms 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
  • Ezekiel 28:26 And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.

“reach” Hebrew H5381 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 31:25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.
  • Leviticus 27:8 But if he be poorer than thy estimation, then he shall present himself before the priest, and the priest shall value him; according to his ability that vowed shall the priest value him.
  • Psalms 7:5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.