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,
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֥֣ה
Thou shalt not bow down
H7812
תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֥֣ה
Thou shalt not bow down
Strong's:
H7812
Word #:
2 of 21
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָֽעָבְדֵ֑ם֒
thyself unto them nor serve
H5647
תָֽעָבְדֵ֑ם֒
thyself unto them nor serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
5 of 21
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֤ה
them for I the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
them for I the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 21
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
אֵ֣ל
God
H410
אֵ֣ל
God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
10 of 21
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
פֹּ֠קֵד
visiting
H6485
פֹּ֠קֵד
visiting
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
12 of 21
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אָב֧וֹת
of the fathers
H1
אָב֧וֹת
of the fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
14 of 21
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בָּנִ֛ים
upon the children
H1121
בָּנִ֛ים
upon the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
16 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שִׁלֵּשִׁ֥ים
unto the third
H8029
שִׁלֵּשִׁ֥ים
unto the third
Strong's:
H8029
Word #:
18 of 21
a descendant of the third degree, i.e., great grandchild
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
19 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Exodus 34:7Keeping 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.Exodus 34:14For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:Numbers 14:18The 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.Jeremiah 32:18Thou 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,
Historical Context
Idolatrous worship involved prostration before images, burning incense, offering sacrifices, temple prostitution, and child sacrifice. Canaanite Baal worship included ritual prostitution and child sacrifice to Molech (Leviticus 18:21). Israel adopted these abominations repeatedly, as prophets condemned (Isaiah 57:5, Jeremiah 7:31). God's jealousy manifested in exile—Assyrian captivity (722 BC) for Israel, Babylonian captivity (586 BC) for Judah, demonstrating multi-generational consequences of persistent idolatry.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's 'jealousy' for His glory and His people's devotion demonstrate holy love rather than petty possessiveness?
- What does the principle of generational consequences teach about the corporate nature of sin and the importance of godly family legacy?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The prohibition 'Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them' addresses worship posture and service. The Hebrew 'shachah' (bow down) and 'abad' (serve) indicate both external reverence and devoted service. The warning 'for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God' reveals divine intolerance of rivals. God's 'jealousy' (Hebrew 'qanna') is righteous zeal for His honor and His people's exclusive devotion. The threat of visiting 'iniquity of the fathers upon the children' demonstrates covenant solidarity—families and nations reap corporate consequences of idolatry. Yet judgment is limited ('third and fourth generation'), while mercy extends infinitely.