Leviticus 25:18

Hebrew Bible

16 The more years there are, the more you may make its purchase price, and the fewer years there are, the less you must make its purchase price, because he is only selling to you a number of years of produce. 17 No one is to oppress his fellow citizen, but you must fear your God, because I am the Lord your God. 18 You must obey my statutes and my regulations; you must be sure to keep them so that you may live securely in the land. 19 “‘The land will give its fruit, and you may eat until you are satisfied, and you may live securely in the land. 20 If you say, “What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not sow and gather our produce?”

Ezekiel 28:26

Hebrew Bible

24 “‘No longer will Israel suffer from the sharp briers or painful thorns of all who surround and scorn them. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord. 25 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I regather the house of Israel from the peoples where they are dispersed, I will reveal my sovereign power over them in the sight of the nations, and they will live in their land that I gave to my servant Jacob. 26 They will live securely in it; they will build houses and plant vineyards. They will live securely when I execute my judgments on all those who scorn them and surround them. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.’”

 Notes and References

"... the series of theophanies contain elements associated with Israel’s possession of the promised land. Many of the descriptions focus on issues of fertility; the emphasis is on the positive changes to the environmental conditions of Palestine. The area will no longer experience “cold or frost.” The appearance of frost would signal the end of the growing season; therefore, the implication is the growing season continues. Further, “cold and frost” may also refer to a ‘killing frost’ that would reduce the yield of the olive tress or kill the trees. This situation will no longer occur either. There will be perpetual light, which means an extension to the growing season ... The result of the series of theophanies is security and peace ... ‘The idea of living, lying down, or dwelling “in security” is a recurrent component of the divine promise, particularly as it appears in Deuteronomy 12:10; in the archaic poem of Deuteronomy 33 (verses 12 and 28), in the Holiness Code (Leviticus 25:18, 19; 26:5) in Jeremiah (23:6; 32:37; 33:16) and in Ezekiel (28:26; 34:25-28: 38:8, 14; 39:26). A perusal of these passages shows two relevant aspects of “dwell in security.” First, it is used variously for Israel, Jerusalem, and returning exiles; thus its use here for Jerusalem would probably mean a Jerusalem symbolizing all Israel. Second, it is part of covenant language, part of the blessings that accrue to the people who obey Yahweh’ ..."

Moore, Anne Moving beyond Symbol and Myth: Understanding the Kingship of God of the Hebrew Bible through Metaphor (pp. 177-178) Peter Lang Publishing, 2009

 User Comments

Do you have questions or comments about these texts? Please submit them here.