You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that God's "jealousy" isn't about insecurity, but a fierce protection of His honor and the well-being of His people, whom He cherishes like a spouse. This protective "jealousy" means that the consequences of rejecting Him can ripple through generations, affecting those who continue to disregard Him.
You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of the Ten Commandments given by God to the Israelites. It directly follows the prohibition against making and worshiping idols. The command here intensifies the previous one, forbidding any physical act of bowing or serving these false gods, and explains the reason: God's intense jealousy for His own honor, which means He will punish those who reject Him, even affecting subsequent generations who continue in that rebellion.
Why does God describe Himself as 'jealous'? It's not insecurity, but a fierce love for His own glory and for us.
When God calls Himself a 'jealous God,' He's not acting like a human partner in a broken relationship. His jealousy is about protecting His unique worth and the covenant relationship He has with His people.
The consequences of sin ripple through families. What does this mean for us today?
This verse addresses the sobering reality that the choices of one generation can impact those that follow.
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Understand the original words
qanna · Hebrew Adjective
A state of emotional intensity regarding a covenantal relationship; when applied to God, it signifies His righteous zeal for His own honor and His demand for exclusive loyalty from His people. It is an expression of His protective, holy love.
avon · Hebrew Noun
A moral wrong, perversity, or guilt resulting from conscious violation of God's law. It carries the weight of both the act and the resulting consequence or punishment that requires divine justice.
shachah · Hebrew Verb
To bow down in a physical act of submission or worship; it implies total surrender, humility, and recognition of the authority and deity of the one being worshipped.
abad · Hebrew Verb
To labor, work, or perform acts of religious devotion. In a theological sense, it describes the totality of service and allegiance offered to God (or an idol) as one's master.
This passage directly echoes Exodus 20:5, restating the prohibition against idolatry and the concept of God visiting iniquity and showing steadfast love across generations. It reinforces the continuous nature of God's judgment and mercy on families.
Joshua 24:19-20Joshua warns the Israelites that they cannot serve the LORD, for He is a holy and jealous God who will forgive their transgressions and idolatry. This highlights the seriousness of a 'jealous God' who demands exclusive devotion and will not overlook sin.
Ezekiel 18:20This chapter presents a crucial counterpoint, emphasizing individual accountability: 'The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son.' This clarifies that while consequences can pass to descendants, ultimate judgment rests on individual choices, not inherited guilt alone.
Isaiah 42:8This verse states, 'I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I will not give to another, nor my praise to carved idols.' It directly supports the reason given in Exodus 20:5 for God's jealousy – His absolute claim to unique glory and worship.
Romans 1:18-23Paul describes how humanity suppresses the truth about God and exchanges His glory for idols, leading to divine wrath. This passage shows a similar theme of rejecting God's true worship in favor of created things, incurring judgment.
gillExodus 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;"
Thou shall not bow down thyself to them,.... Perform any worship to them, show any reverence of them by any gesture of the body; one being mentioned, bowing the body, and put for all others, as prostration of it to the earth, bending the knee, kissing the hand, lifting up…
calvinExodus 20:4-6: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:"
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;
Non adorabis ea, neque coles ea, ego enim Jehova Deus tuus, Deus zelotes, visitans iniq…
The verse highlights that God's "jealousy" isn't about insecurity, but a fierce protection of His honor and the well-being of His people, whom He cherishes like a spouse. This protective "jealousy" means that the consequences of rejecting Him can ripple through generations, affecting those who continue to disregard Him.
This verse is part of the Ten Commandments given by God to the Israelites. It directly follows the prohibition against making and worshiping idols. The command here intensifies the previous one, forbidding any physical act of bowing or serving these false gods, and explains the reason: God's intense jealousy for His own honor, which means He will punish those who reject Him, even affecting subsequent generations who continue in that rebellion.
This verse is part of the Ten Commandments given by God to the Israelites. It directly follows the prohibition against making and worshiping idols. The command here intensifies the previous one, forbidding any physical act of bowing or serving these false gods, and explains the reason: God's intense jealousy for His own honor, which means He will punish those who reject Him, even affecting subsequent generations who continue in that rebellion.
"You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me," — The verse highlights that God's "jealousy" isn't about insecurity, but a fierce protection of His honor and the well-being of His people, whom He cherishes like a spouse. This protective "jealousy" m…
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Last reviewed October 2026