Exodus 34:7
Keeping 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.
Original Language Analysis
נֹצֵ֥ר
Keeping
H5341
נֹצֵ֥ר
Keeping
Strong's:
H5341
Word #:
1 of 22
to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
חֶ֙סֶד֙
mercy
H2617
חֶ֙סֶד֙
mercy
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
2 of 22
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
לָֽאֲלָפִ֔ים
for thousands
H505
לָֽאֲלָפִ֔ים
for thousands
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
3 of 22
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
נֹשֵׂ֥א
forgiving
H5375
נֹשֵׂ֥א
forgiving
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
4 of 22
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
וְחַטָּאָ֑ה
and sin
H2403
וְחַטָּאָ֑ה
and sin
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
7 of 22
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
יְנַקֶּ֔ה
and that will by no means
H5352
יְנַקֶּ֔ה
and that will by no means
Strong's:
H5352
Word #:
8 of 22
to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְנַקֶּ֔ה
and that will by no means
H5352
יְנַקֶּ֔ה
and that will by no means
Strong's:
H5352
Word #:
10 of 22
to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated
פֹּקֵ֣ד׀
the guilty visiting
H6485
פֹּקֵ֣ד׀
the guilty visiting
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
11 of 22
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אָב֗וֹת
of the fathers
H1
אָב֗וֹת
of the fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
13 of 22
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בָנִ֔ים
and upon the children's
H1121
בָנִ֔ים
and upon the children's
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
15 of 22
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 #:
16 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בָנִ֔ים
and upon the children's
H1121
בָנִ֔ים
and upon the children's
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
17 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בָנִ֔ים
and upon the children's
H1121
בָנִ֔ים
and upon the children's
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
18 of 22
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 #:
19 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שִׁלֵּשִׁ֖ים
children unto the third
H8029
שִׁלֵּשִׁ֖ים
children unto the third
Strong's:
H8029
Word #:
20 of 22
a descendant of the third degree, i.e., great grandchild
Cross References
Psalms 103:3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;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,Ephesians 1:7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Psalms 130:4But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.Job 10:14If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.Exodus 23:7Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.Hebrews 12:29For our God is a consuming fire.Nahum 1:6Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.Daniel 9:9To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;
Historical Context
The concept of corporate/generational responsibility was fundamental to ancient covenant society. Children often suffered consequences of parents' sins, yet each generation remained accountable (Ezek 18).
Questions for Reflection
- How can God be both just in punishing sin and merciful in forgiving it?
- What does the ratio of mercy to judgment (thousands vs. 3-4 generations) reveal about God's heart?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God extends mercy to thousands (אֲלָפִים, alaphim) but visits iniquity to three or four generations—mercy outweighs judgment 250:1. Yet God 'will by no means clear the guilty' (נַקֵּה לֹא יְנַקֶּה, naqeh lo yenaqeh)—an emphatic Hebrew construction meaning judgment is certain. This tension between mercy and justice finds resolution only at Calvary, where God's righteousness and love meet (Ps 85:10). The three terms—עָוֹן (avon, iniquity), פֶּשַׁע (pesha, transgression), חַטָּאָה (chatta'ah, sin)—cover all categories of rebellion.