Introduction to Leviticus 26:1: Syntax of Covenant Prohibitions
Leviticus 26:1 opens the chapter of blessings and curses with a firm reminder of Israel’s exclusive devotion to YHWH. The verse is structured as a series of prohibitions using negative imperatives, paired with objects of idolatrous worship. This lesson will focus on the syntax of prohibition, the use of לֹא with different verb forms, and the consistent employment of covenantal identification through grammar.
לֹֽא־תַעֲשׂ֨וּ לָכֶ֜ם אֱלִילִ֗ם וּפֶ֤סֶל וּמַצֵּבָה֙ לֹֽא־תָקִ֣ימוּ לָכֶ֔ם וְאֶ֣בֶן מַשְׂכִּ֗ית לֹ֤א תִתְּנוּ֙ בְּאַרְצְכֶ֔ם לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֹ֖ת עָלֶ֑יהָ כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃
This lesson is based on Leviticus 26:1, focusing on the topic: “Negative Imperatives and Prohibitions in Biblical Hebrew Command Syntax.”
This verse is rich with prohibitive structures and various expressions of negated commands, employing specific particles like לֹא and syntactic emphases to define covenantal boundaries.
Analysis of Key Grammatical Features
1. לֹא־תַעֲשׂוּ לָכֶם אֱלִילִם – “You shall not make for yourselves idols”
- לֹא – standard negation particle for jussive/imperfect prohibitions
- תַעֲשׂוּ – Qal imperfect 2mp of ע־שׂ־ה: “you shall make”
- לָכֶם – prepositional phrase with 2mp suffix: “for yourselves”
This construction reflects the typical negative command in Hebrew: לֹא + imperfect verb (usually second person) = prohibition. The use of לָכֶם reinforces the personal nature of the command—not only “do not make,” but “do not make for yourselves,” emphasizing self-interest and self-made idolatry as especially egregious.
2. וּפֶסֶל וּמַצֵּבָה לֹא־תָקִימוּ לָכֶם – “And a carved image or a pillar you shall not set up for yourselves”
- תָקִימוּ – Hiphil imperfect 2mp of ק־ו־ם: “you shall cause to stand/set up”
- פֶסֶל – “idol, carved image”; מַצֵּבָה – “pillar, cultic stone”
Two objects of idolatry are presented here, joined by waw. The second prohibition resumes the pattern of לֹא + imperfect verb, again with the prepositional suffix לָכֶם. The verb תָקִימוּ in the Hiphil stem indicates causation—“you shall not cause it to stand” (i.e., construct or erect it).
3. וְאֶבֶן מַשְׂכִּית לֹא תִתְּנוּ בְּאַרְצְכֶם – “And a figured stone you shall not place in your land”
- אֶבֶן מַשְׂכִּית – “engraved stone” or “image stone” used for cultic purposes
- תִתְּנוּ – Qal imperfect 2mp of נ־ת־ן: “you shall give/place”
- בְּאַרְצְכֶם – “in your land” (construct phrase with 2mp suffix)
Again, this continues the formulaic structure: prohibition by לֹא and imperfect. The verb תִתְּנוּ here means “you shall not place,” especially in a ritual context. The mention of your land indicates a violation of holy space, reinforcing the sanctity of the land as incompatible with idolatry.
4. לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֹת עָלֶיהָ – “to bow down upon it”
- לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֹת – Hishtafel infinitive construct of שׁ־ח־ה: “to bow oneself down”
- עָלֶיהָ – preposition + 3fs suffix: “upon it”
This final clause reveals the ritual purpose behind the prohibition. The infinitive construct with לְ expresses intent or purpose—“for the purpose of bowing down.” The reflexive Hishtafel stem shows ritual prostration, indicating idolatrous worship.
5. כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם – “For I am YHWH your God”
- כִּי – causal particle: “because”
- אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם – covenant formula, reinforcing authority and identity
This concluding clause provides the covenantal rationale for the prohibitions. YHWH’s identity as Eloheikhem (“your God”) underscores why these commands are binding. The phrase appears often in legal texts to root the law in relationship.
Syntax of Prohibited Worship: Hebrew Command Grammar in Leviticus 26:1
This verse uses a sequence of negative imperatives, each formed by the particle לֹא followed by an imperfect verb in second person masculine plural. These forms reflect the authoritative voice of divine legislation. The verbs chosen include both basic actions (תַעֲשׂוּ, תִתְּנוּ) and more causative ones in Hiphil (תָקִימוּ), encompassing both the making and setting up of idolatrous objects. The concluding purpose clause and covenantal formula tie the grammatical prohibitions into Israel’s theological identity.
Grammar of Idolatry Prohibition and Covenant Identity
Leviticus 26:1 illustrates how Biblical Hebrew structures prohibitions with precision and power. The repeated לֹא + imperfect construction provides a consistent rhythm of divine command, while varied vocabulary (make, set up, place) ensures totality in forbidding idolatry. Through syntax and suffixes, the verse emphasizes individual responsibility, national identity, and theological clarity—YHWH alone is God, and He alone is to be worshipped.
