Exodus 20:6
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Original Language Analysis
וְעֹ֥֤שֶׂה
And shewing
H6213
וְעֹ֥֤שֶׂה
And shewing
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 6
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
חֶ֖֙סֶד֙
mercy
H2617
חֶ֖֙סֶד֙
mercy
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
2 of 6
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
לַֽאֲלָפִ֑֔ים
unto thousands
H505
לַֽאֲלָפִ֑֔ים
unto thousands
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
3 of 6
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
לְאֹֽהֲבַ֖י
of them that love
H157
לְאֹֽהֲבַ֖י
of them that love
Strong's:
H157
Word #:
4 of 6
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 7:9Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;Acts 2:39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.1 John 5:3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.John 14:21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.Deuteronomy 5:29O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!Deuteronomy 4:37And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt;John 14:15If ye love me, keep my commandments.1 John 4:19We love him, because he first loved us.2 John 1:6And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
Historical Context
The 'thousands' of mercy is literally 'to thousands'—in Hebrew often meaning unlimited/infinite. God's mercy extends exponentially beyond His wrath, revealing His essential nature as gracious.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the ratio of judgment (four generations) to mercy (thousands) reveal God's character?
- What is the relationship between loving God and keeping His commandments—can they be separated?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
The contrast is staggering: judgment to third/fourth generation, but mercy 'unto thousands' (לַאֲלָפִים, la'alafim)—thousands of generations or thousands of people, either way vastly exceeding judgment's scope. God's 'bent' is toward mercy, not wrath. 'Them that love me' (לְאֹהֲבַי, le'ohavai) and 'keep my commandments' (לְשֹׁמְרֵי מִצְוֹתָי, leshomrei mitzvotai) are parallel—love and obedience are inseparable. Jesus says 'if you love me, keep my commandments' (John 14:15). Obedience isn't legalism but love's expression. Love without obedience is sentimentalism; obedience without love is slavery. The 'thousands' of mercy swallow the four generations of judgment—grace triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).