Old Testament
Leviticus 26:30
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
I will destroy your pagan shrines, smash your incense altars, and pile your corpses on top of your broken idols. My soul will despise you.
Compare translations
And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
What Leviticus 26:30 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God is expressing His strong disapproval of idol worship among His people. The high places and idols represent false gods that the Israelites turned to instead of worshiping Him. God promises to destroy these pagan shrines and altars, indicating that He will not tolerate any form of idolatry. The imagery of corpses piled on idols signifies the complete defeat of these false gods and the consequences of turning away from the true God. This verse highlights God's holiness and the seriousness of sin, particularly the sin of idolatry, which leads to spiritual death and separation from Him. It serves as a warning that God desires exclusive devotion and will act against anything that competes for His people's loyalty.
How to apply Leviticus 26:30 to your life
This verse reminds us to examine our lives for any modern-day idols that may distract us from our relationship with God. We should prioritize our devotion to Him and remove anything that takes His place in our hearts. True worship requires exclusivity and commitment to God alone.
Curated for this public verse page. Leviticus Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Esther's story: Esther Becomes Queen (Esther 2:1–18)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Esther
Photo: Deror Avi, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source. Location: Tel Shiloh archaeological site, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shiloh
Where Israel set up the tabernacle, and where God called the boy Samuel.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Leviticus 26:30
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Leviticus 26:30
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Leviticus
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Moses
- Written
- Around 1400 BC
- Genre
- Law (Pentateuch)
- Original Audience
- The Israelites in the wilderness
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Leviticus 26:30 mean?
Leviticus 26:30 expresses God's strong disapproval of idol worship among His people. He promises to destroy pagan shrines and altars, indicating that He will not tolerate any form of idolatry.
What is the significance of high places in Leviticus 26:30?
High places in Leviticus 26:30 refer to locations where idol worship occurred. God’s destruction of these high places symbolizes His rejection of false gods and the consequences of turning away from true worship.
What does the imagery of corpses in Leviticus 26:30 represent?
The imagery of corpses piled on idols in Leviticus 26:30 signifies the complete defeat of false gods and the dire consequences of idolatry. It illustrates the seriousness of sin and separation from God.
How does Leviticus 26:30 relate to modern-day idolatry?
Leviticus 26:30 serves as a reminder to examine our lives for modern-day idols that distract us from God. It encourages prioritizing our devotion to Him and removing anything that competes for our loyalty.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.