Exodus 20:5 kjv

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Exodus 20:5 nkjv

you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Exodus 20:5 niv

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

Exodus 20:5 esv

You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,

Exodus 20:5 nlt

You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected ? even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.

Exodus 20 verses

Exodus 20 5 Meaning

This verse states God's nature as exclusively worthy of worship and His zealousness in guarding that right. It explicitly warns against worshipping idols or serving them, declaring that the Lord God is a jealous God who will visit the consequences of the iniquity of those who hate Him upon their children to the third and fourth generations. This signifies the profound and lasting negative impact of idolatry and rebellion against God, demonstrating the ripple effect of sin through families and subsequent generations who continue in that rebellion, while emphasizing divine justice and the seriousness of exclusive devotion to the one true God.

Exodus 20 5 Context

Exodus chapter 20 presents the Decalogue, or the Ten Commandments, which are foundational to the covenant between God and Israel. These commands are delivered directly by God Himself from Mount Sinai amidst thunder, lightning, and a thick cloud, signifying their divine origin and supreme importance. Verse 5 is the latter part of the Second Commandment (Exod 20:4-6), which explicitly prohibits the making and worship of idols. This command follows the First Commandment (Exod 20:3), which dictates exclusive allegiance to the Lord God, affirming that Israel is to have no other gods before Him. Verse 5 provides the reason for this strict prohibition: God's nature as a "jealous God" and the far-reaching negative consequences of breaking this commandment through idolatry, particularly impacting successive generations "of those who hate Me." It stands in stark contrast to the polytheistic and idol-worshipping cultures surrounding ancient Israel, asserting Yahweh's uniqueness and demanding absolute loyalty.

Exodus 20 5 Word analysis

• You shall not bow down to them (לֹא תִשְׁתַּחְוֶה לָהֶם - lo tishtachaveh lahem): This prohibits acts of reverence or worship. The Hebrew term hishtachavah implies physical prostration or obeisance, indicating profound submission and adoration. It denotes the outward act that reflects an inward attitude of devotion, a spiritual posture due only to God.
• or serve them (וְלֹא תָעָבְדֵם - velo ta'ovdem): This means not engaging in acts of devotion or obedience towards idols. The Hebrew verb avad (to serve) encompasses a broader range of activities than mere bowing. It includes practical, lifelong commitment, dedication, and service. This can range from religious rituals to actions driven by loyalty, underscoring that all of life should be dedicated to God, not to false deities.
• for I, the Lord your God (כִּי אָנֹכִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - ki Anochi YHWH Eloheicha): This identifies the speaker as Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God of Israel. It emphasizes His supreme authority and the intimate covenantal relationship. "Lord" (YHWH) signifies God's self-existence and eternal nature, while "your God" highlights His specific choice of Israel.
• am a jealous God (אֵל קַנָּא - El Qanna): The Hebrew qanna describes a zealous or passionate nature that tolerates no rivals. This is not human envy or insecurity, but a divine attribute of holy zeal. God's "jealousy" here refers to His righteous intolerance of disloyalty, particularly when His covenant people abandon Him for false gods. It speaks to His fierce protection of His unique glory and His sole right to worship, flowing from His steadfast love for His people and His desire for their good.
• visiting (פֹּקֵד - poqed): This Hebrew verb can mean "to visit," "to pay attention to," "to muster," or "to account for." In this context, it implies accountability and consequential action, bringing to bear the consequences of sin. It's not arbitrary punishment but the just administration of divine reckoning, allowing the natural, negative effects of unrighteousness to play out.
• the iniquity of the fathers (עֲוֺן אָבֹת - avon avot): Avon refers to twistedness, perversity, or guilt that results from sinful actions, encompassing the sin itself and its inherent guilt and consequences. "Of the fathers" indicates that the sins of one generation, particularly grave sins like idolatry and rebellion, can have profound, negative effects that extend beyond the immediate perpetrators.
• on the children (עַל בָּנִים - al banim): This indicates the generational impact. The consequences of parental sin affect subsequent generations not necessarily as arbitrary punishment for innocent offspring, but as a result of patterns, spiritual influence, and brokenness passed down, often perpetuated when children follow the same path of rebellion.
• to the third and the fourth generation (עַל שִׁלֵּשִׁים וְעַל רִבֵּעִים - al shillesim v’al ribbe'im): This specifies the extent of the consequence. It highlights the limited but definite impact across successive generations. It indicates a clear chain of influence and consequences for unrepentant rebellion. In contrast, God's steadfast love extends to "thousands of generations" (Exod 20:6), emphasizing His greater propensity for mercy than for judgment.
• of those who hate Me (לְשֹׂנְאָ֑י - le’sone’ay): This crucial qualifier defines who the iniquity is visited upon. It refers specifically to those who actively hate God, demonstrated by persistent rebellion, disobedience, and particularly idolatry. It clarifies that this "visiting of iniquity" is not arbitrary punishment on innocent children, but rather pertains to the descendants who continue to emulate the fathers' hatred and rebellion, effectively perpetuating the family's opposition to God. It highlights that the consequence falls on those who choose to align themselves with that animosity.

Words-group analysis

• You shall not bow down to them or serve them: This twin prohibition underscores both the ceremonial and practical aspects of devotion. It prohibits not only outward veneration (bowing) but also deeper, lifelong allegiance (serving). This comprehensive ban leaves no room for dual loyalties; worship of God must be exclusive.
• for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God: This phrase provides the divine rationale for the command. God's "jealousy" here is an aspect of His holiness and sovereignty. It emphasizes His passionate demand for exclusive devotion as the only true God and rightful King, directly contrasting with the passive deities of the pagan world. His "jealousy" is a reflection of His fierce commitment to His covenant.
• visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate Me: This is a declaration of consequential justice rather than collective guilt. It illustrates the destructive spiritual, social, and even physical legacy of sin, particularly idolatry. When parents turn from God, it establishes patterns of ungodliness and creates spiritual blindness and hardness of heart in succeeding generations who choose to walk in that same path of rebellion. The qualifier "of those who hate Me" is key, indicating that the consequences extend only to descendants who follow in their ancestors' active rebellion against God, thereby adopting and perpetuating the original sin and hatred. This distinguishes it from arbitrary punishment of innocent offspring.

Exodus 20 5 Bonus section

The concept of "generational iniquity" in Exod 20:5 is often clarified by later Scriptures like Ezekiel 18 and Jeremiah 31, which emphasize individual responsibility before God. These passages confirm that children are not punished for the guilt of their fathers' sins if they do not commit those sins themselves. Rather, Exodus 20:5 speaks to the profound consequences and destructive patterns that unrepentant sin establishes. This can manifest as inherited physical consequences (e.g., disease linked to parental behavior), societal patterns (e.g., economic hardship due to a family's history of financial irresponsibility), or spiritual consequences (e.g., spiritual blindness or demonic influence resulting from generations of idol worship), which affect succeeding generations who choose to perpetuate the rebellion. It is a powerful warning that prolonged rejection of God creates a legacy of spiritual and social brokenness within a family line. The phrase "hate Me" (שֹׂנְאָ֑י - sone'ay) implies an active and persistent rejection of God, indicating a culpable state in those upon whom the iniquity is visited. This contrasts sharply with God's promise in Exod 34:7 to show grace to thousands, which emphasizes God's greater propensity to bless those who turn to Him.

Exodus 20 5 Commentary

Exodus 20:5 articulates the serious implications of violating the First and Second Commandments, asserting God's absolute demand for exclusive worship. His description as a "jealous God" underscores His zealous commitment to His covenant and His people, not as human insecurity but as divine purity intolerant of spiritual infidelity. The passage about "visiting the iniquity of the fathers" on succeeding generations, specifically "to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate Me," clarifies that the detrimental impact of sin, especially deep-seated rebellion like idolatry, can extend through family lines. This is not arbitrary punishment for innocent individuals but rather the inevitable outworking of sinful patterns, spiritual influences, and the corrupting environment created by generations that actively persist in their animosity toward God. It speaks to the corporate aspect of sin where consequences ripple through the social and spiritual fabric, affecting those who continue to embrace their ancestors' sinful ways. In contrast to this limited generational consequence of those who "hate" Him, God promises to show steadfast love to "thousands of generations" of those who love Him and keep His commandments (Exod 20:6), demonstrating His abundant mercy triumphs over judgment.For example, a family system engaging in generations of substance abuse due to an idol of comfort, could witness addiction problems for descendants who adopt the same behaviors. Alternatively, if a family line consistently disobeys God through involvement in false religions, subsequent generations inheriting those practices might find themselves under continued spiritual oppression and disconnected from God’s blessings. However, repentance can break these cycles.