Leviticus 26:20
Leviticus 26:20 in Multiple Translations
and your strength will be spent in vain. For your land will not yield its produce, and the trees of the land will not bear their fruit.
And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.
and your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield its increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruit.
And your strength will be used up without profit; for your land will not give her increase and the trees of the field will not give their fruit.
Your strength will be completely wasted because your land won't produce crops, and your trees won't produce fruit.
And your strength shalbe spent in vaine: neither shall your lande giue her increase, neither shall the trees of the land giue their fruite.
and consumed hath been your strength in vain, and your land doth not give her produce, and the tree of the land doth not give its fruit.
Your strength will be spent in vain; for your land won’t yield its increase, neither will the trees of the land yield their fruit.
And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.
Your labour shall be spent in vain, the ground shall not bring forth her increase, nor the trees yield their fruit.
You will uselessly work very hard to plant seeds, because crops will not grow in the hard soil in your fields, and fruit will not grow on your trees.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 26:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 26:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/תַ֥ם
לָ/רִ֖יק
כֹּחֲ/כֶ֑ם
וְ/לֹֽא
תִתֵּ֤ן
אַרְצְ/כֶם֙
אֶת
יְבוּלָ֔/הּ
וְ/עֵ֣ץ
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
לֹ֥א
יִתֵּ֖ן
פִּרְיֽ/וֹ
וְ/תַ֥ם
tâmam
H8552
to finish
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
לָ/רִ֖יק
rîyq
H7385
vain
Prep | N-ms
כֹּחֲ/כֶ֑ם
kôach
H3581
reptile
N-ms | Suff
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
תִתֵּ֤ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
אַרְצְ/כֶם֙
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
יְבוּלָ֔/הּ
yᵉbûwl
H2981
crops
N-ms | Suff
וְ/עֵ֣ץ
ʻêts
H6086
tree
Conj | N-ms
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יִתֵּ֖ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
פִּרְיֽ/וֹ
pᵉrîy
H6529
fruit
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 26:20
וְ/תַ֥ם
tâmam
H8552
"to finish"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
To finish or complete something, either in a good or bad sense, like when God finished creating the world in Genesis. It can also mean to be consumed or destroyed. The KJV Bible uses words like accomplish, cease, or have done to translate it.
Definition: 1) to be complete, be finished, be at an end 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be finished, be completed 1a1a) completely, wholly, entirely (as auxiliary with verb) 1a2) to be finished, come to an end, cease 1a3) to be complete (of number) 1a4) to be consumed, be exhausted, be spent 1a5) to be finished, be consumed, be destroyed 1a6) to be complete, be sound, be unimpaired, be upright (ethically) 1a7) to complete, finish 1a8) to be completely crossed over 1b) (Niphal) to be consumed 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to finish, complete, perfect 1c2) to finish, cease doing, leave off doing 1c3) to complete, sum up, make whole 1c4) to destroy (uncleanness) 1c5) to make sound 1d) (Hithpael) to deal in integrity, act uprightly
Usage: Occurs in 61 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, cease, be clean (pass-) ed, consume, have done, (come to an, have an, make an) end, fail, come to the full, be all gone, [idiom] be all here, be (make) perfect, be spent, sum, be (shew self) upright, be wasted, whole. See also: Genesis 47:15; 2 Kings 22:4; Psalms 9:7.
לָ/רִ֖יק
rîyq
H7385
"vain"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means something that is empty, worthless, or done in vain. It is used to describe actions or things that have no value or purpose. The Bible uses it to warn against empty or idle pursuits.
Definition: emptiness, vanity, empty, idle, vain
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: empty, to no purpose, (in) vain (thing), vanity. See also: Leviticus 26:16; Isaiah 30:7; Psalms 2:1.
כֹּחֲ/כֶ֑ם
kôach
H3581
"reptile"
N-ms | Suff
Koach means strength or power, referring to human, angelic, or God's might. It can also describe the strength of animals or the produce of soil.
Definition: 1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean 1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth. See also: Genesis 4:12; Job 36:5; Psalms 22:16.
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תִתֵּ֤ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
אַרְצְ/כֶם֙
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs | Suff
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
יְבוּלָ֔/הּ
yᵉbûwl
H2981
"crops"
N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to crops or produce, like fruits and grains, and is also used to describe wealth. It appears in the Bible to talk about the abundance of the land. In the KJV, it's translated as 'fruit' or 'increase'.
Definition: produce, fruit, produce (of the soil)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: fruit, increase. See also: Leviticus 26:4; Psalms 67:7; Psalms 78:46.
וְ/עֵ֣ץ
ʻêts
H6086
"tree"
Conj | N-ms
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִתֵּ֖ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
פִּרְיֽ/וֹ
pᵉrîy
H6529
"fruit"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means the fruit that comes from the ground or from our actions. It is used in many books, including Genesis and Isaiah, to describe the results of our labor or the consequences of our choices.
Definition: 1) fruit 1a) fruit, produce (of the ground) 1b) fruit, offspring, children, progeny (of the womb) 1c) fruit (of actions) (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: bough, (first-)fruit(-ful), reward. See also: Genesis 1:11; Proverbs 18:20; Psalms 1:3.
Study Notes — Leviticus 26:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 26:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 26:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 26:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 26:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 26:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 26:20
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 26:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 26:20
- Sermons on Leviticus 26:20
Context — Punishments for Disobedience
18And if after all this you will not obey Me, I will proceed to punish you sevenfold for your sins.
19I will break down your stubborn pride and make your sky like iron and your land like bronze,
20and your strength will be spent in vain. For your land will not yield its produce, and the trees of the land will not bear their fruit.
21If you walk in hostility toward Me and refuse to obey Me, I will multiply your plagues seven times, according to your sins. 22I will send wild animals against you to rob you of your children, destroy your livestock, and reduce your numbers, until your roads lie desolate.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 127:1 | Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 11:17 | or the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you. He will shut the heavens so that there will be no rain, nor will the land yield its produce, and you will soon perish from the good land that the LORD is giving you. |
| 3 | Isaiah 49:4 | But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength in futility and vanity; yet My vindication is with the LORD, and My reward is with My God.” |
| 4 | Habakkuk 2:13 | Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain? |
| 5 | Leviticus 26:4 | I will give you rains in their season, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit. |
| 6 | Haggai 1:9–11 | You expected much, but behold, it amounted to little. And what you brought home, I blew away. Why? declares the LORD of Hosts. Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, on account of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth has withheld its crops. I have summoned a drought on the fields and on the mountains, on the grain, new wine, and oil, and on whatever the ground yields, on man and beast, and on all the labor of your hands.” |
| 7 | Isaiah 17:11 | though on the day you plant you make them grow, and on that morning you help your seed sprout— yet the harvest will vanish on the day of disease and incurable pain. |
| 8 | Job 31:40 | then let briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” Thus conclude the words of Job. |
| 9 | Deuteronomy 28:18 | The fruit of your womb will be cursed, as well as the produce of your land, the calves of your herds, and the lambs of your flocks. |
| 10 | Deuteronomy 28:42 | Swarms of locusts will consume all your trees and the produce of your land. |
Leviticus 26:20 Summary
This verse, Leviticus 26:20, means that when we disobey God, our hard work and efforts will not produce the results we want, and we will not have the provision we need. This is because our disobedience affects not just our relationship with God, but also the world around us, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:38-40. To avoid this, we must trust in God and obey His commands, as written in Psalm 37:3-7, where we are promised that if we do what is right and trust in Him, He will provide for us and bless us. By following God's instructions and trusting in His goodness, we can have strength and provision that is not spent in vain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for our strength to be spent in vain?
According to Leviticus 26:20, when we disobey God, our efforts and strength will not produce the desired results, similar to what is described in Haggai 1:6, where the people's work did not yield the expected outcome because their priorities were not aligned with God's will.
Why will the land not yield its produce and the trees not bear their fruit?
This is a consequence of disobedience to God, as stated in Leviticus 26:20, and is also seen in Deuteronomy 28:38-40, where it is written that disobedience will lead to unfruitful labor and a lack of provision.
Is this verse only applicable to the Israelites?
While Leviticus 26:20 is part of the covenant God made with the Israelites, the principle of obedience and disobedience having consequences is seen throughout the Bible, such as in Proverbs 13:25, where it is written that the righteous will have their needs met, but the wicked will go hungry.
How can we avoid having our strength spent in vain?
To avoid this, we must obey God's commands and trust in His provision, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7, where it is written that those who trust in the Lord and do good will be blessed and will see His salvation.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am spending my strength in vain, and how can I realign my efforts to be more in line with God's will?
- How do I currently view God's commands and instructions - as a burden or as a blessing, and what does this reveal about my heart?
- In what ways am I trusting in my own strength rather than in God's provision, and what steps can I take to shift my trust to Him?
- What are some practical ways I can apply the principle of obedience and trust in my daily life, and what difference can I expect to see as a result?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 26:20
And your strength shall be spent in vain,.... In endeavouring to till the ground, to plough, or sow, or to dig about the vines or olives, and prune them; for your land shall not yield its increase;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 26:20
And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 26:20
Your strength shall be spent in vain; ploughing, and sowing, and tilling the ground.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 26:20
Leviticus 26:20 And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.Ver. 20. Your land shall not yield.] See this fulfilled. And yet their country was called Sumen totius orbis. Cornelius Tacitus yields it to be a fruitful country. So did Rabshakeh long before.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 26:20
(20) And your strength shall be spent in vain.—That is, with the heaven over them as metal, their labour expended in ploughing, digging, and sowing will be perfectly useless. Your land shall not yield her increase, as no amount of human labour will make up for the want of rain. In Deuteronomy 11:17, where the same punishment is threatened, and the same phrase is used, the Authorised Version unnecessarily obliterates the identity of the words in the original by rendering them “the land yield not her fruit.”
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 26:20
14–39. The penalties that shall ensue, if Israel prove disobedient (Cp. Deuteronomy 28:15 ff.) They are arranged in five groups, viz. (a) Leviticus 26:16-18, (b) Leviticus 26:19-20, (c) Leviticus 26:21; Leviticus 26:32, (d) Leviticus 26:23-26, (e) Leviticus 26:27-39, overthrow and exile of the nation.
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 26:20
19, 20. Pride of… power — The conceit of national puissance, which is so unlike the spirit of dependence and humility, must be eradicated by painful methods.
Sermons on Leviticus 26:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Godly Home) Part 18 - Three Mysterious Influences in the Home by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living in vital reality with God in a home. He uses the analogy of a willow tree planted by a watercourse to illustrate the |
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No Formula for Revival by Charles Price | This sermon addresses the tendency of the Church to rely on programs and formulas rather than seeking God's presence and guidance. It highlights the danger of trying to replicate p |
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Spiritual Warfare: Questions and Answers by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the spiritual principle of God's purpose and plan for the world. He refers to Matthew 25, where Jesus speaks about the last days and gives a p |
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Canadian Christian Heritage Under Fire #1 - Christian History of Canada by Ian Goligher | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for Christians to be awakened to the battle for the hearts and minds of Canadians. He highlights the importance of glorifying God a |
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God Created Us for His Glory by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on Psalm 127, specifically verses 1 and 2. The main point of the text is that unless the Lord is involved in our endeavors, our labor is in vain |
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Family by Jack David Daniels | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of building a strong foundation in our homes and families. He highlights the need for God's involvement in the building proce |
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The Old-Fashioned Christian Home by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of returning to the old-fashioned Christian values and practices in order to build strong and successful families. He highlig |