Does God Punish Children for Their Fathers' Sins? Exodus 20 vs. Ezekiel 18

"Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, to the third and fourth generation." Maybe somebody used that line to explain your family. The word "curse" isn't in that sentence. Four Hebrew words are, and they change how the verse reads. In this study we walk slowly through Exodus 20:4-6, one word at a time: pakad (visiting), avon (iniquity), "those who hate Me," and alafim (thousands). We set the verse next to Deuteronomy 24:16, where the same Law says a person answers for his own sin. Then we face the strongest objection, the children in the wilderness in Numbers 14 and the cry of Lamentations 5:7, and listen to God's own reply in Ezekiel 18. Last, we read Exodus 34:6-7, where God describes Himself and puts mercy first. Along the way I separate three things: what the text says, what Christians and scholars debate, and what is only my reading. Test all of it against your own Bible. Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. CHAPTERS 0:00 A young king and the murderers' children 0:53 Is there such a thing as a generational curse? 2:18 Exodus 20:4-6: who is speaking, and about which sin 4:05 Deuteronomy 24:16: the other half of the puzzle 4:41 Word 1: Visiting (pakad) 7:04 Word 2: Iniquity (avon) 9:40 Word 3: Those who hate Me 12:19 Word 4: Thousands (alafim) 14:15 The strongest objection 15:27 Ezekiel 18: the proverb God banned 17:25 Exodus 34: God describes Himself 19:59 A word to two kinds of people 21:27 One thing to do this week 22:04 What King Amaziah did 22:55 What the text says, what is debated, what is my reading PASSAGES IN THIS STUDY Exodus 20:4-6 | Deuteronomy 24:16 | Genesis 21:1 | Ruth 1:6 | Genesis 4:13 | Leviticus 26:39-42 | Deuteronomy 7:9-10 | Numbers 14:33 | Lamentations 5:7 | Ezekiel 18:3, 20 | Exodus 34:6-7 | Galatians 3:13 | John 9:1-3 | 2 Kings 14:5-6 This week, read Exodus 34:6-7 and Ezekiel 18:20 side by side, slowly, out loud. Then ask yourself which one you have been believing about your own family. LINKS Watch next: Could You Have Committed the Unforgivable Sin Without Knowing?    • Could You Have Committed the Unforgivable ...   All Nobles of Berea studies:    • Bible Studies - Nobles of Berea   Subscribe to Nobles of Berea:    / @noblesofberea   If this verse has ever sat on your chest, subscribe and open the next passage with us. And send this study to the one person in your family who is afraid of the family. Tell me in the comments: who first told you this verse was about a curse, and what does the text say to you now? #GenerationalCurses #BibleStudy #Exodus20 #Ezekiel18 #BibleWordStudy