Deuteronomy 5:9

Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto 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,

Thou shalt not bow down {H7812} thyself unto them, nor serve {H5647} them: for I the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} am a jealous {H7067} God {H410}, visiting {H6485} the iniquity {H5771} of the fathers {H1} upon the children {H1121} unto the third {H8029} and fourth {H7256} generation of them that hate {H8130} me,

you are not to bow down to them or serve them; for I, ADONAI your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sins of the parents, also the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

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

Commentary

Deuteronomy 5:9 is a pivotal verse within the reiteration of the Ten Commandments, specifically expanding upon the Second Commandment. It prohibits idolatry and reveals profound truths about God's character and the far-reaching consequences of disobedience.

Context

This verse is part of Moses' address to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. He is reminding them of the covenant established at Mount Sinai, emphasizing the importance of exclusive worship of the one true God. The command "Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them" directly follows the prohibition against making graven images (Deuteronomy 5:8), highlighting that both the physical act of worship and the spiritual commitment of service are due only to the LORD. This was crucial as they were about to enter a land filled with pagan cultures and their idolatrous practices.

Key Themes

  • Prohibition of Idolatry: The verse explicitly forbids both the outward act of bowing down and the inward commitment of serving false gods. This underscores the absolute exclusivity of worship due to the LORD God. Any form of worship or ultimate devotion given to anything or anyone other than Him is condemned.
  • God's Jealousy: The declaration "I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God" reveals God's passionate and protective nature concerning His unique relationship with His people. This is not human envy, but a holy zeal for His own honor and the purity of His covenant. God will not share His glory or His rightful place as the sole object of worship (Isaiah 42:8). His jealousy is a manifestation of His love and holiness, safeguarding His people from the destructive path of idolatry.
  • Generational Consequences of Sin: The statement about "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me" is often misunderstood. It does not imply that children are punished for sins they did not personally commit. Instead, it highlights that persistent, unrepentant rebellion against God (defined as "them that hate me") establishes a spiritual and societal pattern of sin. This pattern can negatively impact successive generations by perpetuating idolatry, moral decay, and the loss of God's blessings, creating an environment where sin is normalized and even intensified. This stands in stark contrast to God's abundant mercy promised to those who love Him (Deuteronomy 5:10).

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "jealous" is qanna (ืงึทื ึผึธื), conveying a strong, ardent, and exclusive devotion. It describes God's righteous intolerance of rivals in the worship and affection of His people.
  • "Visiting the iniquity" comes from the Hebrew verb paqad (ืคึธึผืงึทื“), which can mean to attend to, to inspect, to appoint, or to punish. In this context, it signifies God's active involvement in observing and responding to the consequences of persistent sin, particularly when such sin becomes a deep-seated pattern of rebellion passed down through generations.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 5:9 remains profoundly relevant today:

  • Examine Modern Idolatry: While physical idols may be less common in many cultures, anything that takes ultimate precedence over God in our lives โ€“ money, power, fame, comfort, relationships, technology, or even self โ€“ can become an idol. This verse calls us to exclusive devotion to the one true God.
  • Understand God's Character: This passage reveals God as both holy and just, zealously guarding His honor, but also incredibly patient and merciful. His "jealousy" is for our good, protecting us from the destructive nature of false worship and misplaced affections.
  • Break Generational Cycles: The warning about generational consequences serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of our choices. It challenges us to break patterns of sin and rebellion in our own lives and families, seeking God's forgiveness and guidance. While individuals are accountable for their own sins (Ezekiel 18:20), the spiritual environment we create can profoundly influence future generations.
  • Embrace God's Mercy: The immediate contrast in Deuteronomy 5:10 highlights God's abundant mercy for those who love Him and keep His commandments, extending blessings for thousands of generations. This offers tremendous hope and motivation for obedience and faithfulness.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 20:4 (33 votes)

    Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth:

  • Exodus 20:6 (33 votes)

    And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

  • Exodus 34:7 (12 votes)

    Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].

  • Daniel 9:4 (8 votes)

    ยถ And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

  • Daniel 9:9 (8 votes)

    To the Lord our God [belong] mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;

  • Numbers 14:18 (8 votes)

    The LORD [is] longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation].

  • Matthew 23:35 (6 votes)

    That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.