2 Kings 14:6

KJV

But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

KJV (with Strong's)

But the children {H1121} of the murderers {H5221} he slew {H4191} not: according unto that which is written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the law {H8451} of Moses {H4872}, wherein the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680}, saying {H559}, The fathers {H1} shall not be put to death {H4191} for the children {H1121}, nor the children {H1121} be put to death {H4191} for the fathers {H1}; but every man {H376} shall be put to death {H4191} for his own sin {H2399}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he did not put the children of the murderers to death, because of what is written in the scroll of the Torah of Moshe, as ADONAI ordered when he said, "Fathers are not to be executed for the children, nor are children to be executed for the fathers; every person will be executed for his own sin."

Berean Standard Bible

Yet he did not put the sons of the murderers to death, but acted according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, where the LORD commanded: “Fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.”

American Standard Version

but the children of the murderers he put not to death; according to that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, as Jehovah commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall die for his own sin.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Amaziah of Judah, upon securing his throne, demonstrated a profound adherence to divine law by executing the conspirators who murdered his father, King Joash, yet deliberately sparing their children. This act was not merely a display of mercy but a direct, conscious obedience to the Mosaic Law, which explicitly forbade collective punishment, emphasizing instead the principle that each individual is accountable for their own sin. This decision highlights a foundational aspect of God's perfect justice, setting Israel's legal code apart from the prevailing norms of the ancient Near East.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Amaziah's consolidation of power after ascending the throne of Judah (2 Kings 14:1-5). Having avenged his father, King Joash, by executing the regicides, Amaziah then applies a crucial principle of Mosaic Law concerning their children. This act of judicial restraint serves as a significant, albeit brief, moment of righteous leadership in Amaziah's reign, which later becomes marred by idolatry and military defeat (cf. [2 Kings 14:8-14](/2_kings/14-8 "2 Kings 14:8-14 - Amaziah's Defeat by Jehoash")). The narrative here underscores the importance of adherence to the Torah even in matters of state justice, providing a stark contrast to the often brutal and collective retaliations common in the ancient world. It sets the stage for understanding Amaziah's character and the divine standards by which kings were judged.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Amaziah reigned in Judah during the 8th century BCE. In the ancient Near East, it was a common and accepted practice for the family members of criminals, especially those guilty of treason or regicide, to be executed alongside the offender. This collective punishment was intended to eradicate any potential threat from the lineage and serve as a powerful deterrent. However, the Law of Moses, as recorded in [Deuteronomy 24:16](/deuteronomy/24-16 "Deuteronomy 24:16 - Individual Responsibility in Mosaic Law"), explicitly prohibited this practice, insisting on individual culpability. Amaziah's decision to spare the children, therefore, was not merely an act of personal clemency but a radical adherence to God's unique standard of justice, demonstrating a theological commitment that defied contemporary cultural norms.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme illuminated by [2 Kings 14:6](/2_kings/14-6 "2 Kings 14:6 - Individual Justice") is **Individual Responsibility and Accountability**. The verse unequivocally states that "every man shall be put to death for his own sin," a principle that forms the bedrock of biblical ethics concerning justice and judgment. This stands in direct opposition to the concept of inherited guilt or collective punishment, which was prevalent in many societies of that era. Closely related is the theme of **Adherence to Divine Law**. Amaziah's actions highlight the paramount importance of obeying God's written word, specifically the "book of the law of Moses." His faithfulness to this specific command, even when it ran counter to human tradition, underscores the authority and distinctiveness of God's statutes. Finally, the verse speaks to the nature of **Divine Justice**, revealing God as a perfectly equitable and fair judge whose laws ensure that consequences are meted out based on personal actions, not the sins of one's family line, thereby reflecting a transcendent standard of fairness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **slew not (Hebrew, _lo hemit'_):** This phrase emphasizes Amaziah's deliberate and conscious choice to *not* kill the children. In a context where collective punishment was common, this was an active decision of restraint and obedience, rather than a passive omission. It highlights the king's intentional application of a specific legal principle.
* **book of the law of Moses (Hebrew, בְּסֵפֶר תּוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה, _bəsep̄er tôraṯ mōšeh'_):** This refers to the Pentateuch, the foundational legal and moral code given by God through Moses. Its mention here underscores the divine authority and established nature of the command Amaziah followed. It signifies that his actions were not arbitrary or based on personal preference, but rooted in the revealed will of God.
* **every man shall be put to death for his own sin (Hebrew, כִּי אִם־אִישׁ בְּחֶטְאוֹ יָמוּתוּ, _kî ’im-’îš bəḥeṭ’ô yāmûṯû'_):** This is the core declaration of the verse, directly quoted from Deuteronomy 24:16. The emphasis on "every man" and "his own sin" powerfully conveys the principle of individual culpability. It is a direct and unambiguous statement that personal responsibility is the sole basis for judicial punishment, rejecting any notion of inherited or collective guilt in this context.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the children of the murderers he slew not:"** This initial clause describes King Amaziah's specific act of judicial restraint. After executing the conspirators who murdered his father, Joash, he deliberately chose not to extend the punishment to their offspring. This decision immediately signals a departure from common ancient Near Eastern practices.
* **"according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying,"** This phrase provides the divine justification and authority for Amaziah's action. It explicitly states that his decision was not arbitrary but was a direct fulfillment of a specific command found in the Torah, underscoring the king's obedience to God's revealed will.
* **"The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers;"** This is the negative prohibition from the Mosaic Law, directly quoted. It unequivocally forbids the practice of collective punishment, ensuring that legal retribution for capital offenses is not extended to innocent family members. This principle protects the innocent from suffering for the crimes of others.
* **"but every man shall be put to death for his own sin."** This is the positive affirmation of the Mosaic principle, emphasizing individual accountability. It establishes that legal punishment is strictly personal, based solely on the guilt of the individual who committed the offense. This clause forms the bedrock of biblical justice, asserting that consequences are tied directly to personal actions.

#### Literary Devices
The passage primarily employs **Quotation**, directly citing the Mosaic Law from [Deuteronomy 24:16](/deuteronomy/24-16 "Deuteronomy 24:16 - Individual Accountability"). This direct quotation lends immense authority and theological weight to Amaziah's actions, demonstrating his adherence to divine rather than human standards. Furthermore, the text utilizes **Contrast** by presenting Amaziah's actions ("he slew not") against the backdrop of typical ancient Near Eastern practices of collective punishment, thereby highlighting the unique and progressive nature of God's law. There is also an element of **Emphasis** through the clear and concise articulation of the principle: "The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin." This balanced, antithetical parallelism powerfully underscores the central theme of individual responsibility.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The principle articulated in 2 Kings 14:6 is a cornerstone of biblical justice, revealing a profound aspect of God's character: His absolute fairness and His commitment to individual accountability. In a world where collective guilt and inherited punishment were common, Israel's law stood out as remarkably enlightened and just, reflecting the very nature of a God who sees and judges each person individually. This principle assures us that God's judgment is never arbitrary or misdirected; it is always precise, targeting the one who has sinned. It also sets the stage for understanding personal salvation and judgment, underscoring that our standing before God is based on our own actions and faith, not on the merits or demerits of our ancestors. This divine standard of justice is consistently upheld throughout the prophetic literature, challenging popular misconceptions about intergenerational guilt.

* [Deuteronomy 24:16](/deuteronomy/24-16 "The Law on Individual Punishment")
* [Jeremiah 31:29-30](/jeremiah/31-29 "The Proverb of Sour Grapes")
* [Ezekiel 18:1-32](/ezekiel/18 "The Soul Who Sins Shall Die")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The timeless principle of individual accountability articulated in 2 Kings 14:6 carries profound implications for both our understanding of God's character and our personal walk of faith. It assures us that God's justice is perfectly fair, rendering to each person according to their own deeds, not the sins of their family or community. This truth provides immense comfort, freeing us from the burden of inherited guilt in a judicial sense, and simultaneously places the weight of personal responsibility squarely on our shoulders. It challenges any tendency to blame others for our choices or to expect unearned consequences based on lineage. For believers, this means our relationship with God, our salvation, and our sanctification are deeply personal matters, requiring individual repentance, faith, and obedience. It underscores the call to live righteously, knowing that we are individually accountable for every thought, word, and deed before a just and holy God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of individual accountability challenge societal tendencies towards blame or collective guilt in contemporary culture?**
* **In what ways does understanding God's justice as individual rather than collective impact your view of His character and His dealings with humanity?**
* **How does this verse encourage personal responsibility in your own spiritual walk, and what areas might you need to examine in light of this truth?**

### FAQ

**Question?**
Was collective punishment common in the ancient world, and why was Israel's law different?

Answer: Yes, collective punishment was indeed a widespread practice in the ancient Near East. It was common for the entire family, or even the clan, of a criminal (especially for offenses like treason, murder, or rebellion) to suffer the same fate as the offender. This was often done to eliminate potential threats, deter future crimes, or simply as a brutal form of retribution. Israel's law, as seen in [2 Kings 14:6](/2_kings/14-6 "2 Kings 14:6 - Individual Justice") and its source in [Deuteronomy 24:16](/deuteronomy/24-16 "Deuteronomy 24:16 - Individual Responsibility"), was remarkably unique and progressive in its insistence on individual culpability. This distinction highlights God's character of perfect justice and fairness, which transcends human customs and ensures that only the guilty party bears the punishment for their own sin.

**Question?**
Does the Bible ever show examples of collective punishment, and how does that reconcile with this verse?

Answer: While [2 Kings 14:6](/2_kings/14-6 "2 Kings 14:6 - Individual Justice") (and [Deuteronomy 24:16](/deuteronomy/24-16 "Deuteronomy 24:16 - Individual Accountability")) prohibits judicial collective punishment, there are instances in the Old Testament where God's *divine judgment* appears to involve collective consequences. For example, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah ([Genesis 19](/genesis/19 "Genesis 19 - The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah")) or the judgment on Achan's family ([Joshua 7](/joshua/7 "Joshua 7 - Achan's Sin and Punishment")). It's crucial to distinguish between judicial law for human courts (which [2 Kings 14:6](/2_kings/14-6 "2 Kings 14:6 - Individual Justice") addresses) and direct divine judgment for corporate sin. In cases of divine judgment, the collective may have been complicit, or the judgment served a broader theological purpose to demonstrate the severity of sin and God's holiness. The principle in [2 Kings 14:6](/2_kings/14-6 "2 Kings 14:6 - Individual Justice") primarily governs the administration of justice by human authorities within Israel.

**Question?**
How does this verse relate to the concept of inherited sin or original sin?

Answer: This verse addresses judicial punishment for *personal* sin, stating that individuals are held accountable for their own actions before human courts (and by extension, before God's just judgment). It does not negate the theological concept of inherited sinfulness or original sin, which refers to the fallen spiritual nature and propensity to sin that humanity inherits from Adam ([Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin Entered the World Through One Man")). While we inherit a sinful nature that leads us to commit personal sins, this verse clarifies that we are not judicially condemned by God for the specific, capital crimes of our ancestors. Our ultimate condemnation or salvation rests on our own choices and response to God's grace, as articulated in passages like [Ezekiel 18](/ezekiel/18 "Ezekiel 18 - The Soul Who Sins Shall Die").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The principle of individual accountability, so clearly articulated in [2 Kings 14:6](/2_kings/14-6 "2 Kings 14:6 - Individual Justice"), finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament law prohibited human courts from punishing children for their parents' sins, the spiritual reality remained that all humanity was under the condemnation of sin, a consequence of Adam's transgression ([Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin and Death Through Adam")). Yet, God's perfect justice, which demands that "every man shall be put to death for his own sin," was fully satisfied not by our individual demise, but by the vicarious death of Christ. Jesus, the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the penalty for *our* individual sins, fulfilling the righteous requirement of the law on our behalf ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His sacrifice, the divine principle of individual accountability is upheld, yet transformed by grace: those who believe in Him are no longer condemned for their own sins, because Christ has already paid the price for them ([Romans 3:23-26](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Thus, the ultimate judgment and salvation remain deeply personal, dependent on each individual's response to the offer of redemption in Christ, who perfectly satisfied the demands of a just God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 24:16

The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

Ezekiel 18:20

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

Ezekiel 18:4

Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Jeremiah 31:30

But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.