But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

2 KINGS 14:6KJV
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2 Kings 14:6 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 14:6 mean?

2 Kings 14:6 means that King Amaziah did not punish the children of those who had killed his father; instead, he followed the law of Moses, which said that each person should be held responsible only for their own sin, not for the sins of their parents or children. The verse highlights a principle of individual responsibility in justice.

In this setting, King Amaziah of Judah is dealing with the aftermath of his father’s assassination. Although he executed the men who murdered his father, he spared their children, following what was written in the law of Moses. This law, given by the LORD, is quoted here and emphasizes that guilt and punishment should not be passed down from one generation to another, but should be based on each person’s own actions.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 14:6

  • תּוֹרָה (torah, H8451): This word means "law" or "instruction." The verse refers specifically to what is written in the "book of the law of Moses," showing that Amaziah’s actions are grounded in scriptural authority, not just personal choice.
  • חֵטְא (chet, H2399): Translated as "sin," this word points to the idea that each person is accountable for their own wrongdoing. The verse’s focus is on personal responsibility before God and the law.
  • מֵת (muth, H4191): This verb means "to die" or "to put to death." It appears several times in the verse, underlining the seriousness of the punishment and the clear boundary set by the law about who may be executed.

Why 2 Kings 14:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that biblical justice, at least in this context, does not support punishing children for their parents’ crimes, correcting a common misunderstanding about generational guilt in the Old Testament.
  • The verse shows King Amaziah’s commitment to following the law of Moses, even when he might have had personal reasons for broader revenge, highlighting the importance of justice over vengeance.
  • By quoting the law directly, the verse connects the story of Amaziah to the broader biblical theme of individual responsibility, which appears elsewhere in the Hebrew Scriptures.