Exodus 20:5
What does Exodus 20:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 20:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 20:5 means
This verse reinforces the prohibition against idolatry by condemning the act of bowing down to or serving graven images. It reveals God's intense jealousy for His own honor, comparing it to human jealousy in a relationship. He is a holy God who will not tolerate any rivals. The consequence for disobedience is severe, extending to future generations who continue in the fathers' hatred of God, demonstrating the lasting impact of sin and the seriousness of rejecting Him. This underscores God's commitment to His covenant.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I Jehovah thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thou 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;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I Jehovah thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You may not go down on your faces before them or give them worship: for I, the Lord your God, am a God who will not give his honour to another; and I will send punishment on the children for the wrongdoing of their fathers, to the third and fourth generation of my haters;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Thou dost not bow thyself to them, nor serve them: for I, Jehovah thy God, <FI>am<Fi> a zealous God, charging iniquity of fathers on sons, on the third <FI>generation<Fi> , and on the fourth, of those hating Me,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thou shalt not adore them, nor serve them: I am the Lord thy God, mighty, jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I, Jehovah thyGod, am a jealousGod, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons to the third and to the fourth [generation] of them that hate me,
Context
This verse continues the explanation of the second commandment, detailing the consequences of violating it. It moves from prohibiting the *making* of images to forbidding their *worship*, logically completing the thought. The divine jealousy and the generational consequences are essential context, explaining *why* God is so strict about idolatry and providing a strong deterrent for the Israelites, showing the profound implications of their choices for their descendants.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 44:19
And none calleth to mind, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
- Numbers 14:33
And your children shall be wanderers in the wilderness forty years, and shall bear your whoredoms, until your dead bodies be consumed in the wilderness.
- Deuteronomy 32:41
If I whet my glittering sword, And my hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine adversaries, And will recompense them that hate me.
- 2 Kings 17:35
with whom Jehovah had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them:
- Psalms 79:8
Remember not against us the iniquities of our forefathers: Let thy tender mercies speedily meet us; For we are brought very low.
- Isaiah 44:15
Then shall it be for a man to burn; and he taketh thereof, and warmeth himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread: yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.
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