Exodus 34:7

KJV

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].

KJV (with Strong's)

Keeping {H5341} mercy {H2617} for thousands {H505}, forgiving {H5375} iniquity {H5771} and transgression {H6588} and sin {H2403}, and that will by no means {H5352} clear {H5352} the guilty; visiting {H6485} the iniquity {H5771} of the fathers {H1} upon the children {H1121}, and upon the children's {H1121} children, unto the third {H8029} and to the fourth {H7256} generation.

Complete Jewish Bible

showing grace to the thousandth generation, forgiving offenses, crimes and sins; yet not exonerating the guilty, but causing the negative effects of the parents' offenses to be experienced by their children and grandchildren, and even by the third and fourth generations."

Berean Standard Bible

maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

American Standard Version

keeping lovingkindness 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, upon the third and upon the fourth generation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 34:7 is a profound declaration of God's character, revealing a divine tension between boundless mercy and unwavering justice. Following the covenant re-establishment after Israel's idolatry, this verse proclaims God's enduring faithfulness in extending forgiveness for all forms of sin to countless generations, while simultaneously asserting that He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. It underscores that the consequences of persistent corporate iniquity, particularly covenant disobedience, can ripple through subsequent generations, highlighting both the depth of God's grace and the seriousness of sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 34:7 is the culminating statement in God's self-revelation to Moses on Mount Sinai, immediately following the catastrophic incident of the golden calf in [Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf"). Moses, having interceded for the rebellious people, was called back to the mountain to receive new tablets of the Law. In [Exodus 34:6](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6 - God's Self-Proclamation of Mercy"), God declares His name and attributes: "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands." Verse 7 then expands upon this, detailing the extent of His mercy ("keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin") and coupling it with the certainty of His justice ("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]"). This juxtaposition provides a comprehensive, balanced portrait of God's holy and righteous nature, foundational to the renewed covenant.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this divine proclamation is the immediate aftermath of Israel's egregious sin of idolatry at Mount Sinai, a profound breach of the covenant just established. The people had fashioned and worshipped a golden calf while Moses was receiving the Law from God, provoking divine wrath that threatened to consume them. Moses' fervent intercession (see [Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses' Intercession")) and his appeal to God's covenant promises led to God's relenting from immediate destruction. This context highlights the immense grace extended to a rebellious people. The concept of "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children" was understood within a communal and covenantal framework. In ancient Near Eastern societies, and particularly within Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, the actions of individuals, especially leaders or the collective, had profound implications for the entire family or community. This was not about punishing innocent individuals for their ancestors' personal sins, but rather about the natural, often spiritual, consequences of persistent corporate sin (especially idolatry and covenant breaking) perpetuating unhealthy patterns, spiritual blindness, and societal decay across generations who continue in those patterns or live under their shadow. This concept is reiterated in the Ten Commandments in [Exodus 20:5-6](/exodus/20-5 "Exodus 20:5-6 - God's Jealousy and Mercy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mercy (Hebrew, _ḥesed'_):** This rich Hebrew term, often translated as "lovingkindness," "steadfast love," or "covenant faithfulness," describes God's loyal, enduring, and benevolent commitment to His people, especially those with whom He has a covenant relationship. It is not merely an emotion but an active, faithful love that drives God to keep His promises and extend grace even when undeserved. In this context, "keeping mercy for thousands" emphasizes the vast, expansive, and generational nature of God's covenant loyalty.
* **Forgiving (Hebrew, _nōśēʾ'_):** This is a participle of the verb נָשָׂא (*nasa*), meaning "to lift," "to bear," "to carry away," or "to take away." When applied to sin, it signifies God's act of lifting the burden of guilt, removing the offense, and pardoning the wrong. The inclusion of "iniquity and transgression and sin" (עָוֹן, פֶּשַׁע, חַטָּאָה – *ʿawon*, *peshaʿ*, *ḥaṭṭāʾah*) represents a comprehensive spectrum of human wrongdoing, from moral perversion to rebellious acts and falling short of God's standard. God's "forgiving" implies a complete and thorough removal of the guilt associated with all these forms of sin.
* **Will by no means clear [the guilty] (Hebrew, _lōʾ yənaqqeh'_):** This phrase employs a strong negative construction in Hebrew, emphasizing the absolute certainty that God will not leave the guilty unpunished or unaddressed. The verb נָקָה (*naqah*) means "to be clean," "to be innocent," or "to acquit." The negative form here asserts that God's justice demands accountability; His mercy is not a license for sin, nor does it negate the consequences of unrepentant rebellion. It highlights God's holiness and His commitment to upholding righteousness in His creation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Keeping mercy for thousands":** This clause emphasizes the boundless and enduring nature of God's covenant love (*chesed*). It signifies that God's faithfulness and compassion extend not just to individuals but to generations upon generations, far outweighing the scope of His judgment. His mercy is vast and perpetual, a foundational aspect of His character.
* **"forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin":** This comprehensive phrase covers the full spectrum of human wrongdoing. "Iniquity" (עָוֹן, *ʿawon*) often refers to moral perversion or twistedness; "transgression" (פֶּשַׁע, *peshaʿ*) denotes rebellion or a deliberate breach of a command; and "sin" (חַטָּאָה, *ḥaṭṭāʾah*) signifies missing the mark or falling short of God's perfect standard. God's willingness to forgive all these forms of sin underscores His immense grace and His desire for reconciliation with humanity.
* **"and that will by no means clear [the guilty]":** This powerful declaration asserts God's unwavering justice. While He is merciful, He is not indifferent to sin. The Hebrew emphasizes that God will absolutely not acquit or leave unpunished those who are guilty and unrepentant. This ensures that His holiness is upheld and that His mercy is understood within the context of His righteous character, demanding accountability for moral wrongdoing.
* **"visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].":** This highly significant and often misunderstood phrase speaks to the corporate and communal consequences of persistent sin, particularly covenant unfaithfulness and idolatry. It does not mean God punishes innocent individuals for the personal sins of their parents. Rather, it describes how the negative spiritual, moral, and social patterns established by one generation (e.g., idolatry, rebellion, rejection of God's ways) naturally create a legacy that impacts subsequent generations. Children born into such environments may inherit the consequences of those choices, living under the shadow of spiritual blindness, societal decay, or a lack of blessing, especially if they continue in the same patterns of disobedience. This is distinct from individual accountability, as clarified in passages like [Ezekiel 18](/ezekiel/18 "Ezekiel 18 - Individual Responsibility").

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 34:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. There is clear **Parallelism** and **Antithesis** in the verse's structure, juxtaposing God's boundless mercy with His unwavering justice. The first half ("Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin") stands in stark contrast to the second ("and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children..."). This creates a powerful tension, revealing the comprehensive nature of God's character. The phrase "iniquity and transgression and sin" functions as a **Merism**, encompassing the totality of human wrongdoing by listing three distinct categories. The numerical progression "unto the third and to the fourth [generation]" acts as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Synecdoche**, signifying a limited but significant duration for the consequences of corporate sin, especially when compared to the "thousands" of generations for which mercy is kept. Finally, the entire verse is a divine **Self-Proclamation**, a direct revelation of God's attributes, underscoring the authoritative and foundational nature of this truth for understanding His relationship with humanity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 34:7 is a cornerstone passage for understanding the complex yet harmonious nature of God's character. It reveals a God who is both infinitely merciful and perfectly just, demonstrating that His grace is not a compromise of His holiness, nor is His justice devoid of compassion. This tension highlights the profound problem of human sin and the absolute necessity of divine intervention for reconciliation. The concept of generational consequences for corporate sin, while distinct from individual accountability, underscores the pervasive impact of sin on communities and the importance of breaking cycles of unrighteousness. Ultimately, this verse sets the stage for the New Testament revelation of how God resolves this tension: through the atoning work of Christ, where mercy and truth meet, and righteousness and peace kiss.

* [Numbers 14:18](/numbers/14-18 "Numbers 14:18 - God's Mercy and Justice Repeated")
* [Deuteronomy 5:9-10](/deuteronomy/5-9 "Deuteronomy 5:9-10 - Consequences of Idolatry")
* [Ezekiel 18:20](/ezekiel/18-20 "Ezekiel 18:20 - Individual Accountability for Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 34:7 offers profound insights for our spiritual walk today. It first invites us into a deep confidence in God's boundless mercy. Knowing that He "keeps mercy for thousands" and is eager to forgive "iniquity and transgression and sin" should encourage us to approach Him with repentance and faith, certain of His willingness to pardon even our deepest failings. His forgiveness is comprehensive, covering every facet of our wrongdoing. Simultaneously, the verse serves as a solemn reminder of the seriousness of sin. God's justice is unwavering; He "will by no means clear the guilty." This truth should cultivate a healthy fear of God and a desire to live in holiness, understanding that sin carries real consequences, both in this life and eternally. Furthermore, the mention of generational impact compels us to consider the legacy we are building. Our spiritual choices, whether for obedience or rebellion, can indeed shape the spiritual environment for our families and communities for generations to come. This calls us to actively pursue righteousness, break cycles of sin, and intentionally establish patterns of faith and blessing for those who follow us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the balance of God's mercy and justice in this verse shape your understanding of His character?**
* **In what ways does knowing God "will by no means clear the guilty" impact your view of personal sin and the need for repentance?**
* **Considering the idea of "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children," what spiritual legacies are you striving to break or build in your own family and community?**

### FAQ

**Does God punish innocent children for the sins of their parents?**

Answer: No, the Bible clarifies that God does not punish innocent individuals for the personal sins of their parents. Passages like [Ezekiel 18:20](/ezekiel/18-20 "Ezekiel 18:20 - The Soul Who Sins Shall Die") explicitly state, "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son." Exodus 34:7, when speaking of "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children," refers to the corporate and communal consequences of persistent sin, particularly covenant breaking and idolatry. It means that when a family or community establishes a pattern of rebellion against God, the negative spiritual, moral, and social effects of that sin can naturally ripple through subsequent generations who continue in those patterns or live under the shadow of those choices. It describes the devastating impact of inherited spiritual and moral decay, not the punishment of innocent individuals for sins they did not commit.

**How can God be both merciful and just at the same time?**

Answer: This verse beautifully encapsulates the divine paradox of God's character. He is infinitely merciful, extending forgiveness and steadfast love to "thousands" of generations, covering "iniquity and transgression and sin." Yet, He is also perfectly just, declaring that He "will by no means clear the guilty." This apparent tension is resolved in the person and work of Jesus Christ. God's mercy is demonstrated in His willingness to forgive, and His justice is satisfied by the fact that sin's penalty was fully paid through Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross. As [Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God is Just and the Justifier") states, God is "just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." In Christ, God's mercy and justice meet perfectly, allowing Him to forgive sinners righteously.

**What does "keeping mercy for thousands" signify?**

Answer: "Keeping mercy for thousands" emphasizes the vast, enduring, and expansive nature of God's *chesed* (covenant faithfulness or steadfast love). The number "thousands" here is not a literal count but a hyperbole signifying an immeasurable and perpetual duration. It contrasts sharply with the "third and fourth generation" mentioned for judgment, highlighting that God's mercy is far more extensive and long-lasting than the consequences of sin. It assures us that God's faithful love extends through countless generations, providing hope and a foundation for His covenant relationship with humanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 34:7, with its profound declaration of God's character as both merciful and just, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "mercy for thousands" that God keeps is most perfectly demonstrated in the person of Jesus, who embodies God's steadfast love and willingness to forgive. 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"), bearing the "iniquity and transgression and sin" of humanity upon Himself. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, God's justice, which "will by no means clear the guilty," is fully satisfied. Christ, though innocent, became sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), thereby bearing the penalty that was due, allowing God to remain perfectly just while simultaneously justifying those who believe in Jesus ([Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God is Just and the Justifier")). Furthermore, Christ's work breaks the generational cycles of sin and spiritual bondage described in the latter part of the verse. Through Him, believers are freed from the dominion of inherited patterns of sin and death, entering into a new covenant of grace and life in the Spirit, establishing a new spiritual legacy of righteousness for future generations ([Galatians 3:13-14](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13-14 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Thus, Jesus is the divine answer to the tension in Exodus 34:7, revealing God's character in its fullest expression of both perfect love and perfect righteousness.

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

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;

Exodus 20:6

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

Psalms 103:3

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

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,

Deuteronomy 5:10

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

Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Jeremiah 32:18

Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, [is] his name,