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;
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
תִשְׁתַּחְוֶ֥֣ה
Thou shalt not bow down
H7812
תִשְׁתַּחְוֶ֥֣ה
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
תָעָבְדֵ֑ם֒
thyself to them nor serve
H5647
תָעָבְדֵ֑ם֒
thyself to 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
אָבֹ֧ת
of the fathers
H1
אָבֹ֧ת
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
עַל
H5921
עַל
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
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.Deuteronomy 5:9Thou 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 4:24For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.Exodus 34:14For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:Joshua 24:19And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.Psalms 109:14Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.Deuteronomy 6:15(For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.Joshua 23:7That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: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,Nahum 1:2God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
Historical Context
Ancient covenants invoked curses on violators. God's 'jealousy' uses marriage language—Israel is His bride, idolatry is adultery. The generational consequences reflect observable reality: parents' sins affect children.
Questions for Reflection
- How is God's jealousy different from human jealousy—why is it righteous rather than petty?
- In what ways do parents' sins (especially idolatry) affect subsequent generations?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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;
Two prohibited actions: 'bow down' (לֹא־תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה, lo-tishtachaveh) and 'serve' (לֹא תָעָבְדֵם, lo ta'ovdem)—worship in posture and practice. God's jealousy (קַנָּא, qanna) isn't petty but protective—like a husband's righteous jealousy for his wife. Idolatry is spiritual adultery; God's jealousy guards covenant love. 'Visiting iniquity' (פֹּקֵד עֲוֹן, poqed avon) means consequences of sin ripple through generations—children suffer parents' idolatry's effects (not guilt). Sin has generational impact. But note: four generations of judgment versus thousands of generations of mercy (v. 6)—grace outweighs wrath 250:1. 'Them that hate me' defines idolaters—rejecting God for idols is hatred, however sincere the religiosity.