Exodus 20:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And shewing {H6213} mercy {H2617} unto thousands {H505} of them that love {H157} me, and keep {H8104} my commandments {H4687}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but displaying grace to the thousandth generation of those who love me and obey my mitzvot. d

Berean Standard Bible

but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

American Standard Version

and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 20:6 stands as a profound revelation of God's character, presenting a glorious counterpoint to the preceding warning of judgment for idolatry. It declares God's abundant and enduring mercy, which extends "unto thousands" of those who genuinely love Him and demonstrate that love through obedience to His commandments. This verse underscores God's steadfast covenant faithfulness, emphasizing His desire to lavish His loyal love upon His people across countless generations, establishing a relationship rooted in reciprocal affection and active devotion rather than mere legalistic adherence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 20:6 is an integral component of the Decalogue, specifically serving as a crucial elaboration on the second commandment concerning idolatry. While [Exodus 20:4-5](/exodus/20-4-5 "Exodus 20:4-5 - The Prohibition Against Idolatry and God's Jealousy") sternly warns against the worship of other gods and the making of graven images, declaring God's jealous nature and His judgment "unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me," verse 6 immediately follows with a powerful declaration of His mercy. This deliberate juxtaposition is not accidental; it highlights God's primary inclination towards grace and blessing. The severity of the warning in [Exodus 20:5](/exodus/20-5 "Exodus 20:5 - Consequences of Idolatry") is dramatically balanced by the overwhelming promise of mercy in verse 6, demonstrating that while God is just and will indeed punish sin, His character is fundamentally defined by an even greater inclination to show loyal love (*ḥeseḏ*) and blessing to those who respond to Him in genuine devotion. It sets the foundational understanding for the covenant relationship as one built on love and faithfulness, not solely on fear or retribution.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The giving of the Ten Commandments on [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God's Appearance at Sinai") marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history, establishing them as God's covenant people. Having been recently delivered from slavery in Egypt, they were now being invited into a unique and exclusive relationship with the one true God. In the ancient Near East, deities were often perceived as capricious, demanding appeasement and offering little in the way of steadfast love or enduring commitment. Against this backdrop, the God of Israel reveals Himself as fundamentally different: a God who is both holy and just, yet overflowing with *ḥeseḏ* (loyal love). This declaration of mercy "unto thousands" would have been a radical concept, contrasting sharply with the limited, often vengeful, nature attributed to other gods. It provided a foundational understanding of the covenant as a relationship where God's faithfulness was assured for those who reciprocated His love through obedience, offering a secure and blessed future for the nation unlike any other. This promise also served to distinguish Yahweh from the gods of the surrounding nations, whose blessings were often temporary or conditional on constant, often arbitrary, rituals.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Exodus and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it profoundly shapes the theme of **God's Character**, revealing Him as a God of immense mercy and steadfast love, balancing His justice and jealousy. Secondly, it articulates the **Nature of the Covenant Relationship**, emphasizing that it is founded on reciprocal love and faithfulness, where human obedience is a response to divine grace. Thirdly, it introduces the theme of **Generational Blessing**, contrasting the limited generational consequences of sin with the expansive, enduring blessings for those who walk in covenant loyalty. This theme of God's enduring love for "thousands" of generations is a recurring motif in the Old Testament, underscoring His patience and desire for an eternal relationship with His people, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 5:10](/deuteronomy/5-10 "God's Mercy to Those Who Love Him").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mercy (Hebrew, חֶסֶד, _chêçêd'_):** This is one of the most profound theological terms in the Old Testament. *Chêçêd* is far more than mere pity or compassion; it denotes a steadfast, loyal, and covenantal love. It speaks of God's active commitment to His promises and His people, a love that is unwavering and demonstrated through gracious actions. It encompasses faithfulness, kindness, and enduring devotion. In this context, it highlights God's character as one who is perpetually inclined to uphold His covenant obligations and extend His goodness to those in relationship with Him.
* **Thousands (Hebrew, אֶלֶף, _ʼeleph'_):** This term is used in stark contrast to the "third and fourth generation" mentioned in the preceding verse. While the judgment for idolatry is limited to a few generations, God's mercy extends "unto thousands" of generations. This is a powerful use of hyperbole, emphasizing the immeasurable and overflowing abundance of God's grace. It signifies that God's inclination to bless and forgive far surpasses His inclination to judge, demonstrating His patience, generosity, and enduring desire for relationship across countless generations.
* **Love (Hebrew, אָהֵב, _ʼâhab'_):** This word signifies a deep, heartfelt affection and devotion. In the biblical context, love for God is not merely an emotion but an active commitment that expresses itself in obedience. It is a reciprocal love—a response to God's prior love and grace. The phrase "them that love me" describes those who have a genuine, internal disposition of devotion towards God, which then naturally manifests in their actions and lifestyle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And shewing mercy":** This phrase highlights God's active and benevolent disposition. It is not a passive attribute but an intentional act of grace and loyal love that God extends. This "showing" (from the root H6213, 'to do or make') emphasizes the tangible manifestation of His *chêçêd*, indicating that God's mercy is dynamic and expressed through His deeds.
* **"unto thousands":** This specifies the vast scope and enduring nature of God's mercy. It illustrates that His grace is not limited or short-lived but is poured out generously, extending through countless generations, far outweighing the generational consequences of rebellion. This numerical contrast underscores the overwhelming abundance of divine favor.
* **"of them that love me":** This identifies the recipients of God's abundant mercy. It signifies those who possess a genuine, heartfelt affection and devotion to God. This love is the foundational attitude that precedes and motivates true obedience, indicating an internal disposition of the heart towards God.
* **"and keep my commandments":** This clause defines the tangible evidence and expression of that love. True love for God is not merely sentimental or intellectual; it is demonstrated through active obedience to His revealed will. Keeping His commandments (from the root H8104, 'to guard or preserve') is the natural outflow of a heart devoted to Him, signifying a life aligned with His character and desires, and a commitment to preserving His precepts.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Exodus 20:6, especially when read in conjunction with [Exodus 20:5](/exodus/20-5 "Exodus 20:5 - Consequences of Idolatry"), is **Antithesis** or **Contrast**. The verse directly contrasts God's judgment "unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me" with His mercy "unto thousands of them that love me." This stark opposition highlights the vast difference between the consequences of rebellion and the blessings of devotion, emphasizing God's greater inclination towards grace. Furthermore, the phrase "unto thousands" employs **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration for effect, to underscore the immeasurable and overwhelming abundance of God's mercy, demonstrating that His grace far surpasses His judgment in both scope and duration. There is also an implicit **Parallelism** between "love me" and "keep my commandments," indicating that these two concepts are intrinsically linked and mutually reinforcing, where love is the internal disposition and obedience is its external manifestation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 20:6 is a cornerstone for understanding God's character, revealing His profound *chêçêd*—His steadfast, covenantal love and mercy. It establishes a fundamental theological principle: while God is just and punishes sin, His ultimate desire is to extend grace and blessing to those who enter into a loving, obedient relationship with Him. This verse beautifully balances divine justice with divine grace, portraying God as one who is zealous for His glory (His "jealousy" in v. 5) but even more abundant in mercy for those who respond to Him in faith. It highlights the reciprocal nature of the covenant: God's faithfulness is met by human love expressed through obedience, leading to generational blessing. This principle of love expressed through obedience is foundational throughout biblical theology, demonstrating that true devotion is not merely an emotional state but a life lived in conformity to God's will.

* [Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's Faithfulness to His Covenant")
* [John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - Jesus on Love and Obedience")
* [1 John 5:3](/1_john/5-3 "1 John 5:3 - Love for God and His Commandments")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 20:6 offers immense encouragement and a clear call to action for believers today. It reminds us that God's nature is overwhelmingly merciful and loving, far more inclined to bless than to condemn. This understanding should cultivate in us a profound sense of hope and security, knowing that we serve a God whose *chêçêd* extends "unto thousands." Our obedience to God's commandments, therefore, should not be viewed as a burdensome duty or a means to earn His favor, but rather as a joyful and natural response to His incredible, steadfast love for us. When we truly love God, keeping His commands becomes the authentic expression of that affection and devotion, transforming duty into delight and reflecting the very heart of our relationship with Him. Furthermore, this verse highlights the far-reaching implications of our faithfulness; living a life of love and obedience can lay a spiritual foundation for God's blessings to extend not only to ourselves but potentially to future generations, underscoring the enduring impact of our walk with God and our responsibility to model this love and obedience for those who come after us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's vast mercy ("unto thousands") in Exodus 20:6 shape your view of His justice ("unto the third and fourth generation") in Exodus 20:5?**
* **In what practical ways do you demonstrate your love for God by actively keeping His commandments in your daily life, and how can you grow in this area?**
* **Considering the promise of generational blessing, how might your faithfulness today impact future generations within your family or community, and what legacy are you building?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "thousands" compared to "third and fourth generation" in the preceding verse?**

Answer: The contrast between "unto the third and fourth generation" (judgment for those who hate God through idolatry) and "unto thousands" (mercy for those who love Him and keep His commandments) is highly significant. It emphasizes God's abundant grace and His greater inclination towards mercy and blessing. While His justice is real and generational, His mercy is exponentially vaster and more enduring. "Thousands" is a hyperbole, signifying an immeasurable and overflowing extent of divine favor, demonstrating that God's desire to bless and forgive far surpasses His need to punish. It portrays a God whose primary disposition is to extend His loyal love and covenant faithfulness to His people across countless generations, highlighting the hope and security found in a relationship with Him.

**Does "love me and keep my commandments" imply salvation by works?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply salvation by works. Instead, it describes the *fruit* of a saving relationship, not the *root*. In biblical theology, true love for God, which is itself a response to His prior grace and initiation, naturally expresses itself in obedience. Obedience is the tangible evidence and demonstration of genuine love and faith, not a means to earn God's favor or salvation. This principle is consistent throughout Scripture, including the New Testament, where faith is understood as active and working through love, as seen in [Galatians 5:6](/galatians/5-6 "Galatians 5:6 - Faith Working Through Love"). Jesus Himself states that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments, as recorded in [John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - Jesus on Love and Obedience"), affirming that obedience flows from an already established loving relationship.

**How does this verse relate to God's "jealousy" mentioned in the previous verse?**

Answer: God's "jealousy" in [Exodus 20:5](/exodus/20-5 "Exodus 20:5 - Consequences of Idolatry") is not a human flaw but a holy zeal for the exclusive devotion of His people. It is the protective, passionate love of a covenant partner who demands faithfulness and will not tolerate rivals for the hearts of His beloved. This jealousy is perfectly balanced by His overflowing mercy in [Exodus 20:6](/exodus/20-6 "Exodus 20:6 - God's Mercy to Those Who Love Him"). His righteous anger for those who betray Him through idolatry (who "hate Him") is perfectly complemented by His abundant mercy for those who genuinely love Him and demonstrate that love through obedience. Together, these verses reveal a God who is both just in His demands for exclusive worship and infinitely gracious in His desire for a loving, faithful relationship with His people, underscoring the depth and complexity of His divine character.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 20:6 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of God's *chêçêd*, the steadfast, loyal love that extends "unto thousands." While the Old Covenant revealed God's mercy to those who kept the commandments, humanity's consistent failure to perfectly love and obey underscored the need for a new covenant. Jesus, as the Son of God, perfectly loved the Father and perfectly kept all His commandments, fulfilling the righteous requirements of the Law on our behalf ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Through His sacrificial death on the cross, He became the ultimate demonstration of God's mercy, providing a way for humanity to be reconciled to God and empowered to genuinely love Him and keep His commands, not by legalistic striving but by the indwelling Holy Spirit ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3-4 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Christ Through the Spirit")). In Christ, God's mercy is not merely extended to "thousands" of generations, but to all who believe, offering eternal life and a transformed heart that desires to obey out of love, not fear. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), and through Him, we receive "grace for grace" ([John 1:16](/john/1-16 "John 1:16 - Grace Upon Grace in Christ")), enabling us to live as those who truly love God and keep His commandments, fulfilling the very heart of this ancient promise in a new and living way.

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 7:9

Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he [is] God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

John 14:21

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

1 John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Jeremiah 32:39

And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:

Jeremiah 32:40

And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.

Acts 2:39

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Deuteronomy 5:29

O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!