Jeremiah 31:29

KJV

In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.

KJV (with Strong's)

In those days {H3117} they shall say {H559} no more, The fathers {H1} have eaten {H398} a sour grape {H1155}, and the children's {H1121} teeth {H8127} are set on edge {H6949}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"When those days come they will no longer say, 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.'

Berean Standard Bible

“In those days, it will no longer be said: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge.’

American Standard Version

In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 31:29 stands as a profound declaration within the "Book of Consolation," signaling a radical shift in divine justice and individual accountability for the people of Israel. It explicitly refutes the long-held proverb, "The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge," which had come to symbolize inherited guilt and suffering for ancestral sins. This verse heralds a new era under the promised new covenant, where each individual will be held responsible solely for their own actions and will experience a direct, personal relationship with God, free from the perceived burden of their forefathers' transgressions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 31:29 is strategically placed within the "Book of Consolation" (Jeremiah 30-33), a section of Jeremiah's prophecy that dramatically pivots from pronouncements of judgment to vibrant promises of restoration, hope, and renewal for both Israel and Judah following the Babylonian exile. This particular verse immediately precedes the foundational prophecy of the new covenant in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant Promise"), serving as a crucial theological bridge. By dismantling the old proverb about inherited guilt, the Lord prepares the ground for a covenant where the law is written on the heart, fostering individual obedience and a direct, personal knowledge of God, thereby rendering the old lament obsolete. The verse thus highlights the radical and transformative nature of the forthcoming covenant, emphasizing personal transformation and individual responsibility over corporate condemnation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The proverb "The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge" was a common expression in ancient Israel, reflecting a deeply ingrained belief in corporate solidarity and inherited consequences. In a society where family and tribal identity were paramount, the idea that the sins of one generation could directly impact the suffering of subsequent generations was widely accepted. This concept is seen in various Old Testament texts, such as the second commandment's warning that God visits the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Him ([Exodus 20:5](/exodus/20-5 "Exodus 20:5 - Consequences of Idolatry")). However, during the period of national suffering and exile, this proverb became a lament, a way for the people to externalize blame for their plight, attributing their current distress to the sins of their ancestors rather than acknowledging their own culpability. Jeremiah's declaration directly confronts this fatalistic mindset, preparing the people for a future where individual responsibility would be paramount under a new divine administration.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Individual Responsibility**, asserting that under the new dispensation, each person will be held accountable for their own deeds, directly challenging the notion of inherited guilt for personal sin. This theme is echoed and further developed in [Ezekiel 18](/zekiel/18 "Ezekiel 18 - Individual Accountability"), particularly in [Ezekiel 18:20](/zekiel/18-20 "Ezekiel 18:20 - The Soul Who Sins Will Die"), which explicitly states, "The soul who sins is the one who will die." Secondly, it highlights **Divine Justice and Fairness**, portraying God not as a capricious judge inflicting ancestral punishment, but as perfectly righteous, ensuring that judgment is meted out according to individual actions. Thirdly, the verse is intrinsically linked to the **New Covenant**, serving as a foundational truth that enables the radical promise of a direct, internal relationship with God where His law is written on the heart ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The Law on the Heart")). This internal transformation negates the need for the old proverb, as each person will know the Lord directly and be judged based on their own walk with Him. Finally, it offers a profound message of **Hope and Restoration**, signifying a fresh start for Israel, free from the perceived burden of ancestral sin, allowing a focus on personal obedience and a renewed relationship with God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fathers (Hebrew, _ʼâb'_):** This primitive word refers to a male parent, but also extends to ancestors, founders, or even a chief or patriarch. In the context of the proverb, it specifically denotes previous generations whose actions are believed to have consequences for their descendants. The use of "fathers" here emphasizes the generational link that the proverb posits, which the Lord is now declaring will be broken in terms of direct, inherited guilt.
* **sour grape (Hebrew, _bôçer'_):** Derived from the same root as _beser_ (an immature grape), _bôçer_ literally refers to an unripe, tart grape. This imagery is crucial to the proverb, as eating unripe grapes causes a puckering sensation in the mouth, metaphorically "setting the teeth on edge." It vividly symbolizes an unpleasant, bitter consequence or punishment, representing the sins committed by the previous generation.
* **set on edge (Hebrew, _qâhâh'_):** This primitive root means "to be dull" or "to be blunt." When applied to teeth, it describes the unpleasant, blunted, or sensitive sensation caused by eating something extremely acidic or sour. In the proverb, it represents the suffering or negative consequences experienced by the children due to the "sour grapes" (sins) of their fathers. The Lord's declaration that teeth will no longer be "set on edge" signifies the cessation of this perceived inherited suffering and the dawn of a new era of individual accountability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In those days they shall say no more,"**: This opening phrase points to a specific future time, namely the era of the new covenant. The emphatic "no more" signifies a complete cessation not only of the proverb's utterance but, more profoundly, of the fatalistic mindset and the perceived reality of inherited guilt that it represents. It declares a radical and definitive shift in understanding divine justice and individual responsibility.
* **"The fathers have eaten a sour grape,"**: This clause presents the first half of the traditional proverb. It metaphorically describes the sins or transgressions committed by previous generations ("the fathers"). The "sour grape" represents the bitter or unpleasant nature of these sins, which were believed to have far-reaching negative effects, impacting subsequent generations with their spiritual and societal consequences.
* **"and the children's teeth are set on edge."**: This second clause completes the proverb, illustrating the perceived consequence. The "children" (the current generation) are metaphorically suffering the unpleasant physical sensation of "teeth set on edge," symbolizing the inherited punishment or hardship resulting from their ancestors' "sour grapes" (sins). Jeremiah's prophecy declares that this perceived chain of inherited suffering, particularly in terms of personal spiritual condemnation, will be definitively broken under the new covenant.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 31:29 is rich in **Metaphor** and **Proverbial Language**. The entire verse is built upon a well-known **Proverb** ("The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge"), which serves as a concise, memorable expression of a perceived truth regarding inherited consequences. The imagery of "sour grapes" and "teeth set on edge" functions as a vivid **Metaphor** for sin and its unpleasant consequences. The sour grape represents the transgression itself, while the teeth set on edge symbolize the bitter suffering or punishment experienced by those affected. The Lord's declaration, "In those days they shall say no more," functions as a powerful **Declarative Statement** that directly refutes and nullifies the proverb's underlying premise for the future, signaling a radical shift in divine administration. This creates a powerful **Contrast** between the old understanding of corporate guilt and the new emphasis on individual accountability.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 31:29 stands as a pivotal theological statement, clarifying the nature of divine justice and individual accountability. While the Old Testament does present instances of corporate consequences for sin (e.g., the impact of Achan's sin on Israel in [Joshua 7](/joshua/7 "Joshua 7 - Achan's Sin") or the generational curses for idolatry), this verse, alongside [Ezekiel 18](/zekiel/18 "Ezekiel 18 - Individual Responsibility"), emphasizes that ultimate personal guilt and eternal judgment are not transferable. God's justice is precise; each soul is responsible for its own choices and will be judged accordingly. This truth is foundational to the new covenant, where a direct, personal relationship with God is established, and salvation is contingent upon individual faith and obedience, not ancestral merit or demerit. It underscores God's perfect righteousness and His desire for a personal, heart-level transformation in His people, moving beyond a system of inherited blame to one of personal responsibility and direct communion.

* [Deuteronomy 24:16](/deuteronomy/24-16 "Deuteronomy 24:16 - Individual Punishment")
* [Ezekiel 18:20](/zekiel/18-20 "Ezekiel 18:20 - The Soul Who Sins Will Die")
* [2 Corinthians 5:10](/2_corinthians/5-10 "2 Corinthians 5:10 - Judgment According to Deeds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 31:29 offers profound spiritual liberation and a clear call to personal responsibility for believers today. It assures us that while we may experience the natural, societal, or even generational consequences of past actions (whether our own or those of our family line), our ultimate standing before God is determined by our individual response to Him. We are not eternally condemned or justified by the sins or righteousness of our ancestors. This truth frees us from the burden of inherited guilt, enabling us to approach God with personal repentance and faith, knowing that He judges us fairly based on our own walk. It underscores the preciousness of the new covenant, where a direct, intimate relationship with God is possible for every believer, empowering us to live lives of personal obedience and accountability, unburdened by the past and focused on a vibrant, present relationship with our Creator.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be tempted to blame my circumstances or my heritage for my own spiritual struggles or failures?**
* **How does the promise of individual accountability free me from a fatalistic view of my life or my relationship with God?**
* **What practical steps can I take to embrace personal responsibility for my spiritual growth and obedience, rather than relying on or blaming others?**
* **How does understanding this verse deepen my appreciation for the new covenant and my personal relationship with Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ
**Does Jeremiah 31:29 contradict passages like Exodus 20:5, which speaks of God visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children?**

Answer: No, it does not contradict it, but rather clarifies and refines the understanding of divine justice. Passages like [Exodus 20:5](/exodus/20-5 "Exodus 20:5 - Consequences of Idolatry") primarily refer to the natural, societal, and spiritual consequences of corporate sin, particularly idolatry, which can indeed impact subsequent generations. For example, a nation's idolatry might lead to a cycle of moral decay, societal breakdown, or even divine judgment (like exile), which affects everyone, including the innocent. Jeremiah 31:29 and [Ezekiel 18](/zekiel/18 "Ezekiel 18 - Individual Accountability"), however, focus on *personal* guilt and *eternal* judgment for individual sin. They declare that in the new covenant era, each person will be held accountable for their own transgressions and will not die for the sins of their parents. The consequences of corporate sin can ripple through generations, but individual salvation and condemnation are based on personal choices and responses to God.

**Does this verse mean that there are no longer any consequences for corporate sin or the actions of a community?**

Answer: Not entirely. While Jeremiah 31:29 emphasizes individual accountability for personal sin, it does not negate the reality of corporate responsibility or the natural consequences of collective actions. A nation's or community's choices still have collective ramifications, whether positive or negative. For instance, societal injustices or widespread moral decay will inevitably affect all within that society. However, the verse fundamentally shifts the focus from an inherited spiritual condemnation for *personal* sin to a direct, individual relationship with God where each person is judged on their own obedience and faith. It means that the *spiritual burden* of ancestral sin, in terms of personal condemnation before God, is removed under the new covenant, allowing for individual repentance and a fresh start. The natural and societal effects of past actions may still be present, but the *spiritual principle* of inherited guilt for personal sin is abolished, paving the way for personal redemption.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 31:29 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the new covenant inaugurated through His atoning work. The old proverb about inherited guilt is silenced because Christ, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full weight of humanity's sin—both individual and corporate—on the cross. He became the "sour grape" (the curse, the sin offering, the object of divine wrath) so that our "teeth" (our lives, our spiritual standing) would no longer be set on edge by the bitter consequences of sin. Through faith in Him, believers are no longer under the condemnation of inherited sin or even their own past transgressions, for [there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ"). The promise of the new covenant, where God writes His law on our hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The Law on the Heart")), is realized through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live in personal obedience and a direct, intimate relationship with God. This divine transformation, made possible by Christ's perfect sacrifice and resurrection, ensures that each person stands before God based on their personal faith in Him, receiving His righteousness ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")) and experiencing a new life free from the old burdens, truly fulfilling the promise that the proverb will be said "no more."

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

Lamentations 5:7

Our fathers have sinned, [and are] not; and we have borne their iniquities.

Ezekiel 18:2

What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?

Ezekiel 18:3

[As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have [occasion] any more to use this proverb in Israel.

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.