Structure in Leviticus 25-26

As many commentators have pointed out, Leviticus 25-26 form a single literary unit.

John Bergsma ( The Jubilee from Leviticus to Quram , 82-3) calls attention to the inclusio on “Mount Sinai” (25:1; 26:46), and lists eight literary links between the two chapters, including a common concern for Sabbath, the promise that obedience will lead to fertility, the reminder of release from Egypt and the consequent demand that Israel be a liberating people, the sacral symbolism of the number seven. The text treats the two chapters as a single speech from Yahweh (25:1, “Yahweh spoke to Moses” is not repeated until 27:1).

Against this background, it’s possible to see the two chapters as forming a rough chiasm:

A. Sabbath year, 25:1-7

B. Jubilee, 25:8-22

C. Property may be redeemed; redemption from slavery, 25:23-55

D. No idols; Sabbath, 26:1-2

C’. Blessing and Yahweh’s redemption of Israel, 26:3-13

B’. Curses, culminating in loss of land, 26:14-33

A’. Expelled for not observing Sabbaths, 26:34-46