Charles Ellicott Commentary Leviticus 26:31

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Leviticus 26:31

1819–1905
Anglican
Charles Ellicott
Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Leviticus 26:31

1819–1905
Anglican
SCRIPTURE

"And I will make your cities a waste, and will bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savor of your sweet odors." — Leviticus 26:31 (ASV)

I will make your cities waste.—Not only will the elevated spots outside the cities with their idols be destroyed, and the carcasses of the deluded worshippers be scattered among their remains, but the cities themselves will be converted into ruins and desolations (Jeremiah 4:7; Jeremiah 9:11; Ezekiel 6:6; Ezekiel 12:20; Nehemiah 2:17, and others).

And bring your sanctuaries unto desolation.—Even the sanctuary with all its holy places (Jeremiah 51:51; Ezekiel 21:7; Amos 7:9; Psalms 68:36; Psalms 74:7, and others), sacred edifices, synagogues, etc. (Leviticus 21:23), will not be spared. God thus reverses the promise He made to the Israelites, that He will set up His dwelling place among them if they walk according to His commandments.

I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours.—When this awful destruction of the sanctuary is to take place, God will not regard the fact that the odour of sweet sacrifices is being offered up there. (See Leviticus 1:9.) The service which may then be performed to Him will not hinder Him from executing this judgment.