Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

EXODUS 34:7KJV
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Exodus 34:7 (KJV)

What does Exodus 34:7 mean?

Exodus 34:7 describes God as someone who keeps mercy for thousands, forgives wrongdoing, but also holds the guilty accountable, allowing the consequences of sin to affect later generations. The verse shows both God’s willingness to forgive and His commitment to justice, making clear that wrongdoing is not simply overlooked.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, revealing His character after Israel’s sin with the golden calf. The verse lists three types of wrongdoing—iniquity, transgression, and sin—emphasizing the full range of human failure that God is willing to forgive. Yet, it also highlights that God’s justice means the effects of sin can reach beyond the original offenders, impacting their descendants.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 34:7

  • mercy (חֶסֶד, ḥesed): This word means steadfast love or loyal kindness. In this context, it points to God’s ongoing, faithful commitment to His people, not just a one-time act of forgiveness.
  • forgiving (נָשָׂא, nāśā’): This verb means to lift or carry away, suggesting that God removes or bears away the burden of sin, not just ignores it.
  • iniquity (עָוֹן, ʿāwōn), transgression (פֶּשַׁע, peshaʿ), sin (חַטָּאָה, ḥaṭṭā’āh): The verse uses three different words for wrongdoing, each covering a different aspect—moral crookedness, rebellion, and missing the mark—showing that God’s forgiveness is comprehensive.
  • clear (נָקָה, nāqāh): The phrase “will by no means clear the guilty” uses a form of this word, stressing that God does not declare the guilty innocent without justice being satisfied.

Why Exodus 34:7 matters

  • Exodus 34:7 clears up the idea that God is only merciful or only just; the verse insists that God is both, balancing forgiveness with accountability.
  • The verse connects to the wider story of Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s response, showing why Moses and the people could still hope for restoration after grave failure.
  • By mentioning consequences “unto the third and to the fourth generation,” the verse highlights the serious, far-reaching effects of wrongdoing, not just for individuals but for families and communities.

Where else these words appear

“fourth” Hebrew H7256 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 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;
  • Numbers 14:18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
  • Deuteronomy 5:9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto 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,

“third” Hebrew H8029 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 50:23 And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees.
  • Exodus 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;
  • Numbers 14:18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

“means” Hebrew H5352 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 24:8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
  • 1 Samuel 26:9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?
  • Proverbs 19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

“Keeping” Hebrew H5341 · used in 62 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.
  • Psalms 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
  • Proverbs 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.