Jeremiah 32:18
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Even as God promises his steadfast love reaches "thousands," He immediately follows by stating that the "guilt of fathers" is repaid "into the bosom of their children." This phrase, "into the bosom," vividly conveys how consequences aren't just distant judgments but are deeply held and carried forward, like something held close within one's garment, impacting subsequent generations.
You show steadfast love to thousands, but you repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah has just purchased a field in Anathoth during the Babylonian siege, an act of faith in God's future restoration of the land. In response, he offers a prayer, marveling at God's immense power and mercy, while also acknowledging His perfect justice. This verse highlights the paradox of God's character: He extends boundless favor for generations, yet also holds people accountable for the unrepented sins of their ancestors, a truth echoed from earlier revelations.
Ever feel like God's justice is harsh, especially when it seems to affect generations? This verse holds a profound truth about how God balances His incredible mercy with His righteous judgment.
Jeremiah opens this prayer with a powerful affirmation of God's character, echoing truths revealed in Exodus. He acknowledges God's immense 'steadfast love' extending to 'thousands' – not just a few, but countless generations who love and obey Him.
But immediately, Jeremiah doesn't shy away from the harder truth: God also 'recompenses the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them.' This isn't about God arbitrarily punishing innocent children for their parents' sins. Instead, it speaks to the natural, often tragic, consequences that flow through family lines. When patterns of sin—idolatry, injustice, rebellion—are passed down, the very real consequences of those actions continue to impact future generations. The phrase 'into the bosom' vividly illustrates how these consequences are carried and held close, like a heavy burden.
The image of God repaying guilt 'into the bosom' is striking. What does this 'bosom' represent, and why is it so significant?
In the ancient East, clothing was often loose and flowing, with the fold of the garment at the chest serving as a natural pocket or pouch. When the text says God 'recompensest the iniquity... into the bosom,' it paints a powerful picture.
It means the consequences of sin are not external or distant; they are brought close, carried intimately. Like putting something into your own pocket, these consequences become a part of one's personal experience. This imagery emphasizes the personal and inescapable nature of divine recompense for sin, especially when that sin is inherited and continued through generations. It's a sobering reminder that our actions, and the patterns we embrace, have deep and lasting effects.
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Jeremiah calls God 'the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts.' Why emphasize these grand titles right after speaking of judgment?
After acknowledging both God's sweeping mercy and His righteous justice, Jeremiah turns to His ultimate identity: 'the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts.' This isn't just flowery language; it's a theological anchor.
By calling God 'Great' and 'Mighty,' Jeremiah asserts that God's power is absolute. Nothing is too difficult for Him, whether it's showing steadfast love or enacting justice. The title 'LORD of hosts' (Yahweh Tsebaoth) means He is the sovereign commander of all heavenly armies and earthly powers. This means He has the ultimate authority and ability to manage all of history, all of creation, and all of its complexities, including the intricate ways His justice and mercy unfold across generations.
This declaration is meant to instill awe and confidence. Even when human understanding is baffled by the ways of providence, recognizing who God is—all-powerful and in control—brings assurance that His plans are perfect and His judgment is righteous.
Understand the original words
chesed · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew word 'hesed' denotes God’s loyal, covenant-keeping love, mercy, and faithfulness that persists despite human unfaithfulness; it is the cornerstone of His character.
avon · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical context, it refers to the moral accountability or perversity incurred by rebellion against God’s law, which carries consequences that can extend beyond the individual.
Tzevaot · Hebrew Noun
A title portraying God as the supreme Commander of all heavenly armies, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty over both the spiritual and physical realms.
Jeremiah speaks these words in the shadow of Jerusalem's imminent destruction and the ongoing Babylonian exile, reminding God of His covenant faithfulness while acknowledging the severe, generational consequences of his people's persistent sin.
c. 1446 BC
The Ten Commandments Given
At Mount Sinai, God gives the Ten Commandments, stating He is a God who visits the iniquity of parents on their children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Him, but shows steadfast love to thousands of those who love Him and keep His commandments.
c. 1375 BC
Achan's Sin and Punishment
Achan sins by taking forbidden plunder during the conquest of Canaan, leading to Israel's defeat. His sin results in his own death and the deaths of his family, illustrating the consequence of inherited guilt.
c. 1050 BC
Eli's Sons' Wickedness
The corrupt sons of High Priest Eli dishonor God and His sacrifices. God declares He will punish their household, leading to the death of Eli and his sons, showing the generational impact of sin.
c. 909 BC
Ahab's Wicked Reign
King Ahab, who did more evil than all before him, is judged by God. The Lord declares He will bring disaster upon Ahab's house and descendants.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Vision of God's Glory
Isaiah sees a vision of the Lord enthroned in the Temple. He hears the seraphim cry, 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!' This vision emphasizes God's supreme power and holiness.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, attacks Jerusalem and deports some of the royal family and talented youth, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar utterly destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This event represents the peak of God's judgment on Judah for generations of disobedience and idolatry.
This passage directly echoes Jeremiah's words, revealing God's character as one who keeps steadfast love for thousands but also holds individuals accountable for their sins, even passing consequences to future generations.
Deuteronomy 5:9Similar to Exodus, this verse from the Ten Commandments reiterates the concept of visiting the iniquity of parents upon children, highlighting the deep, generational impact of sin and God's justice in such matters.
Psalm 79:12This psalm pleads for God's intervention and mercy, referencing the recompense of the sins of past generations being brought upon the current generation, underscoring the theme of generational consequence.
Isaiah 9:6The title 'Mighty God' used here in Jeremiah is also found in Isaiah's prophecy, connecting the powerful, sovereign nature of God described in Jeremiah's prayer to the coming Messiah who embodies divine might.
Ezekiel 18:1-20This prophetic passage directly addresses the saying, 'The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge,' refuting the idea that individuals are unfairly punished for their ancestors' sins and emphasizing personal accountability before God.
pooleJeremiah 32:18: "Thou 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,"
Thou shewest loving-kindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: this is the name which God gave himself, Exodus 34:7 Deu 5:9,10 , and of this latter clause, declarative of the vengeance of God in punishing children fo…
ellicottJeremiah 32:18: "Thou 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,"
(18) Thou showest lovingkindness unto thousands . . . —The words are, in part, an echo from Exodus 20:6 , yet more from the revelation of the Divine glory in Exodus 34:7 . They recognise the laws of a righteous retribution, working even through the seeming injustice of that visiting the…
Even as God promises his steadfast love reaches "thousands," He immediately follows by stating that the "guilt of fathers" is repaid "into the bosom of their children." This phrase, "into the bosom," vividly conveys how consequences aren't just distant judgments but are deeply held and carried forward, like something held close within one's garment, impacting subsequent generations.
Jeremiah has just purchased a field in Anathoth during the Babylonian siege, an act of faith in God's future restoration of the land. In response, he offers a prayer, marveling at God's immense power and mercy, while also acknowledging His perfect justice. This verse highlights the paradox of God's character: He extends boundless favor for generations, yet also holds people accountable for the unrepented sins of their ancestors, a truth echoed from earlier revelations.
Jeremiah has just purchased a field in Anathoth during the Babylonian siege, an act of faith in God's future restoration of the land. In response, he offers a prayer, marveling at God's immense power and mercy, while also acknowledging His perfect justice. This verse highlights the paradox of God's character: He extends boundless favor for generations, yet also holds people accountable for the unrepented sins of their ancestors, a truth echoed from earlier revelations.
"You show steadfast love to thousands, but you repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts," — Even as God promises his steadfast love reaches "thousands," He immediately follows by stating that the "guilt of fathers" is repaid "into the bosom of their children." This phrase, "into the bosom,"…
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Last reviewed October 2026
