Exodus 20:5

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;

Thou shalt not bow down {H7812} thyself to 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 to 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, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me,

Commentary

Exodus 20:5 is a foundational verse within the Ten Commandments, specifically elaborating on the prohibition against idolatry. It emphasizes God's unique nature and the severe consequences of rejecting Him for false gods or images.

Context

This verse directly follows Exodus 20:4, which forbids the making of graven images. Exodus 20:5 extends this prohibition by forbidding the worship or service of such images or any other gods. It highlights the absolute singularity and supremacy of the God who delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. This command was crucial for a people often tempted by the polytheistic practices of surrounding nations, reminding them of their exclusive covenant relationship with the LORD.

Key Themes

  • Exclusive Devotion: The command "Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them" underscores God's demand for total and exclusive allegiance. He alone is worthy of worship and service, tolerating no rivals in the hearts of His people. This is a core principle of monotheism.
  • God's Righteous Jealousy: The declaration "I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God" (Hebrew: qanna') does not imply human envy or insecurity. Instead, it speaks to God's fervent zeal for His own glory, His possessive love for His covenant people, and His righteous intolerance of anything that would draw their worship away from Him. It is a holy jealousy that seeks to protect the purity of the relationship and His rightful place as sovereign.
  • Generational Consequences of Persistent Sin: The phrase "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me" is profound. It does not mean that God punishes innocent children for their parents' individual sins. Rather, it describes the natural, societal, and spiritual ripple effects of persistent, systemic rebellion and idolatry within a family line or community. When a family or nation repeatedly chooses to "hate" God (i.e., reject His commands and worship idols), the destructive patterns, spiritual blindness, and negative consequences of that sin can indeed affect subsequent generations, creating a challenging environment for them. This contrasts sharply with the mercy shown to those who love God and keep His commandments, as stated in Exodus 20:6, and is echoed in Deuteronomy 5:9.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "jealous" (ืงึทื ึธึผื - qanna') is significant. It describes a passionate, zealous, and protective quality, emphasizing God's unique claim to His people's worship. It's akin to a husband's righteous jealousy for his wife's exclusive affection, a holy attribute rooted in love and covenant fidelity. The term "iniquity" (ืขึธื•ึนืŸ - avon) refers to moral evil, guilt, or punishment, highlighting the serious nature of the sin being committed against God's holiness.

Practical Application

For believers today, Exodus 20:5 serves as a powerful reminder that God still desires our exclusive devotion. While literal idol worship may be less common, modern "idols" can include anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives: money, career, possessions, relationships, comfort, or even self. This verse challenges us to examine where our ultimate loyalty lies and to recognize God's unwavering claim on our hearts. It also underscores the profound impact of our spiritual choices, reminding us that consistent rejection of God can have lasting, negative consequences that extend beyond ourselves, impacting future generations. Conversely, choosing to love and obey God brings blessings and positive influences that can extend far into the future.

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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

  • Numbers 14:18 (30 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].

  • Deuteronomy 5:9 (26 votes)

    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,

  • Deuteronomy 4:24 (15 votes)

    For the LORD thy God [is] a consuming fire, [even] a jealous God.

  • Exodus 34:14 (12 votes)

    For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name [is] Jealous, [is] a jealous God:

  • Joshua 24:19 (11 votes)

    And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he [is] an holy God; he [is] a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.

  • Psalms 109:14 (10 votes)

    Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.

  • Joshua 23:7 (10 votes)

    That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear [by them], neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: