Deuteronomy 5:9

Authorized King James Version

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,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#2
תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֥֣ה
Thou shalt not bow down
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#3
לָהֶ֖ם֮
H0
#4
וְלֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#5
תָֽעָבְדֵ֑ם֒
thyself unto them nor serve
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
#6
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#7
אָֽנֹכִ֞י
i
#8
יְהוָ֤ה
them for I the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#10
אֵ֣ל
God
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
#11
קַנָּ֔א
am a jealous
jealous
#12
פֹּ֠קֵד
visiting
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#13
עֲוֹ֨ן
the iniquity
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
#14
אָב֧וֹת
H1
of the fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#15
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
בָּנִ֛ים
upon the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#17
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#18
שִׁלֵּשִׁ֥ים
unto the third
a descendant of the third degree, i.e., great grandchild
#19
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#20
רִבֵּעִ֖ים
and fourth
a descendant of the fourth generation, i.e., great great grandchild
#21
לְשֹֽׂנְאָֽ֑י׃
generation of them that hate
to hate (personally)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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