Exodus 34:7

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

Maintaining steadfast love to thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin, but not leaving the guilty unpunished. He punishes the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations."

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

נֹצֵ֥ר חֶ֙סֶד֙ לָאֲלָפִ֔ים נֹשֵׂ֥א עָוֺ֛ן וָפֶ֖שַׁע וְחַטָּאָ֑ה וְנַקֵּה֙ לֹ֣א יְנַקֶּ֔ה פֹּקֵ֣ד ׀ עֲוֺ֣ן אָב֗וֹת עַל־בָּנִים֙ וְעַל־בְּנֵ֣י בָנִ֔ים עַל־שִׁלֵּשִׁ֖ים וְעַל־רִבֵּעִֽים׃

Transliteration

nōṣēr ḥesed to the ʾălāp̄îm, nōśēʾ ʿāwōn and p̄ešaʿ and ḥaṭṭāʾāh; and naqēh not yənaqeh, pōqēd ʿăwōn ʾāḇôt upon bānîm and upon bənê ḇānîm, upon šillēšîm and upon ribbēʿîm.

Grammar Details

• *nōṣēr*: active participle masculine singular - keeping/preserving
• *ḥesed*: masculine singular noun - steadfast love/kindness/mercy
• *ʾălāp̄îm*: masculine plural noun - thousands
• *nōśēʾ*: active participle masculine singular - bearing/carrying/forgiving
• *ʿāwōn*: masculine singular noun - iniquity/guilt
• *p̄ešaʿ*: masculine singular noun - transgression/rebellion
• *ḥaṭṭāʾāh*: feminine singular noun - sin/error
• *naqēh*: infinitive absolute (Piel) - clearing/acquitting
• *yənaqeh*: imperfect 3rd masculine singular (Piel) - he will clear/acquit
• *pōqēd*: active participle masculine singular - visiting/reckoning
• *ʿăwōn*: masculine singular construct - iniquity of
• *ʾāḇôt*: masculine plural noun - fathers
• *bānîm*: masculine plural noun - children/sons
• *bənê*: masculine plural construct - sons of
• *šillēšîm*: masculine plural ordinal - third (generation)
• *ribbēʿîm*: masculine plural ordinal - fourth (generation)

Word Meanings

• *nōṣēr*: keeping/preserving/maintaining
• *ḥesed*: steadfast love/kindness/covenant faithfulness/mercy
• *nōśēʾ*: bearing/carrying/forgiving/lifting
• *ʿāwōn*: iniquity/guilt/punishment
• *p̄ešaʿ*: transgression/rebellion/crime
• *ḥaṭṭāʾāh*: sin/error/offense
• *naqēh lōʾ yənaqeh*: by no means clearing the guilty/will not completely acquit
• *pōqēd*: visiting/reckoning/punishing/attending to

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  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.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

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

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  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.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  keeping{H5341} lovingkindness{H2617} for thousands,{H505} forgiving{H5375} iniquity{H5771} and transgression{H6588} and sin;{H2403} and that will by no means{H5352} clear{H5352} [the guilty], visiting{H6485} the iniquity{H5771} of the fathers{H1} upon the children,{H1121} and upon the children's{H1121} children, upon the third{H8029} and upon the fourth{H7256} generation.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  Keeping{H5341}{(H8802)} mercy{H2617} for thousands{H505}, forgiving{H5375}{(H8802)} iniquity{H5771} and transgression{H6588} and sin{H2403}, and that will by no means{H5352}{(H8763)} clear{H5352}{(H8762)} the guilty; visiting{H6485}{(H8802)} the iniquity{H5771} of the fathers{H1} upon the children{H1121}, and upon the children's{H1121} children, unto the third{H8029} and to the fourth{H7256} generation.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  ad kepest mercy in store for thousandes, ad forgeuest wikednesse, trespace ad synne (for there is no man ynnocet before the) and visetest the wikydnesse of the fathers vpo the childern ad apon childerns childern, euen vnto the thryd ad fourth generatio.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  thou that kepest mercy in stoare for thousandes, and forgeuest wickednes, trespace and synne (before whom there is no man innocent) thou that visitest the wickednesse of the fathers vpon ye children and childers children, vnto the thirde and fourth generacion.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Reseruing mercy for thousands, forgiuing iniquitie, and transgression and sinne, and not making the wicked innocent, visiting the iniquitie of the fathers vpon ye children, & vpon childrens children, vnto the third and fourth generation.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  And kepyng mercy in store for thousandes, forgeuing wickednes, vngodlynes and sinne, and not leauing one innocent, visiting the wickednes of the fathers vpon the chyldren, and vpon the chyldrens chyldren, euen vnto the third and fourth generation.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  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].

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children's children, on the third and on the fourth generation."

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  keeping kindness for thousands, taking away iniquity, and transgression, and sin, and not entirely acquitting, charging iniquity of fathers on children, and on children's children, on a third `generation', and on a fourth.'

• American Standard Version (1901)

  keeping lovingkindness 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, upon the third and upon the fourth generation.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  keeping lovingkindness 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, upon the third and upon the fourth generation.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  Having mercy on thousands, overlooking evil and wrongdoing and sin; he will not let wrongdoers go free, but will send punishment on children for the sins of their fathers, and on their children's children to the third and fourth generation.

• World English Bible (2000)

  keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children's children, on the third and on the fourth generation."

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  keeping loyal love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. But he by no means leaves the guilty unpunished, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children and children’s children, to the third and fourth generation.”

Referenced Verses

• Exod 20:5-6 : 5 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 generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
• Exod 23:7 : 7 Stay far from a false accusation; do not kill the innocent and the righteous, for I will not justify the wicked.
• Job 10:14 : 14 If I sin, You watch me, and You will not acquit me of my guilt.
• Ps 103:3 : 3 He forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases.
• Ps 130:4 : 4 But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be feared.
• Jer 32:18 : 18 You show steadfast love to thousands, but You repay the iniquity of the fathers into the laps of their children after them. You are the great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD of Hosts.
• Heb 12:29 : 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
• 1 John 1:9 : 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
• Dan 9:9 : 9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him.
• Rev 20:15 : 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
• Rev 21:8 : 8 But as for the cowardly, the unbelieving, the detestable, murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.
• Rom 3:19-26 : 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. 21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, testified to by the Law and the Prophets. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 24 And all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins previously committed. 26 He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
• Rom 4:7-8 : 7 Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count sin.
• Rom 9:22-23 : 22 What if God, wishing to show his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much patience objects of wrath prepared for destruction? 23 And what if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of mercy, whom he prepared beforehand for glory—
• Eph 1:7 : 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,
• Eph 4:32 : 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
• Nah 1:2-3 : 2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and reserves wrath for his enemies. 3 The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; he will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.
• Nah 1:6 : 6 Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are shattered before him.
• Dan 9:4 : 4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: 'O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments,
• Josh 24:19 : 19 Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your transgressions or your sins.
• Exod 23:21 : 21 Pay attention to him and listen to his voice. Do not rebel against him, for he will not forgive your rebellion, since my name is in him.
• Num 14:18-23 : 18 'The LORD is slow to anger, abundant in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and rebellion; yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers' iniquity upon the children to the third and fourth generation.' 19 Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven them from Egypt until now. 20 The LORD replied, 'I have forgiven them, as you asked.' 21 Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, 22 none of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times, 23 not one of them will see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has spurned me will see it.
• Deut 5:9-9 : 9 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the iniquity of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me. 10 But showing steadfast love to thousands of generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
• Deut 32:35 : 35 Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip, for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is quickly approaching.
• Ps 9:16-17 : 16 The nations have sunk into the pit they made; their feet are caught in the net they hid. 17 The LORD is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are trapped by the work of their hands. Meditation. Selah.
• Ps 11:5-6 : 5 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked—those who love violence—he hates with a passion. 6 On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.
• Ps 58:10-11 : 10 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns—whether green or burning—he will sweep them away. 11 The righteous will rejoice when they see vengeance; they will bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.
• Ps 86:15 : 15 But You, O Lord, are a God who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
• Neh 1:5 : 5 Then I said, 'Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
• Neh 9:32 : 32 Now therefore, our God, the great, mighty, and awesome God who keeps His covenant and steadfast love, do not let the hardship that has come upon us—on our kings, leaders, priests, prophets, ancestors, and on all Your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today—seem insignificant to You.
• Ps 136:10 : 10 To Him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for His steadfast love endures forever.
• Ps 136:15 : 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for His steadfast love endures forever.
• Isa 45:21 : 21 Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me.
• Matt 6:14-15 : 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
• Matt 12:31 : 31 Therefore, I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
• Matt 18:32-35 : 32 Then the master summoned the servant and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me to.' 33 'Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had mercy on you?' 34 In anger, his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he should pay back all he owed. 35 This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.
• Luke 7:42 : 42 When neither of them could pay, he forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?'
• Luke 7:48 : 48 Then Jesus said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.'
• Acts 5:31 : 31 God exalted him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
• Acts 13:38 : 38 Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
• Rom 2:4-9 : 4 Or do you disrespect the riches of His kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will repay each person according to their deeds. 7 To those who seek glory, honor, and immortality by persistence in doing good, He will give eternal life. 8 But to those who are self-seeking, who disobey the truth and obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does what is evil, first for the Jew, then also for the Gentile.
• Mic 6:11 : 11 Shall I acquit a person with crooked scales and a bag of deceptive weights?
• Mic 7:18 : 18 Who is a God like You, forgiving iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in steadfast love.