Deuteronomy 5:9 Meaning and Explanation
“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,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God forbids worship of idols and declares that He takes idolatry seriously, with consequences lasting generations.
The Context of Deuteronomy 5:9
The second commandment continues, explaining God's nature and the stakes of idolatry.
What Does Deuteronomy 5:9 Mean?
The prohibition extends beyond making idols to worshiping them—bowing and serving them as deities. God's jealousy (His passionate demand for exclusive worship) is grounded in His nature as the only true God deserving worship. Idolatry is presented as active hatred of God, turning from Him to embrace lies. The punishment extends across generations because unfaithfulness corrupts families and communities, passing learned rebellion from parent to child.
The intergenerational consequence reflects the reality that families transmit their beliefs: parents who teach idolatry set their children on a path away from God. Yet this is not arbitrary punishment but the natural result of rejecting God's truth.
Deuteronomy 5:9 in the Original Language
qinnah (קִנְאָה), 'jealousy' — God's passionate, protective concern for His exclusive place in Israel's worship and devotion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 5:9
What does Deuteronomy 5:9 mean?
God forbids worship of idols and declares that He takes idolatry seriously, with consequences lasting generations.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 5:9?
The second commandment continues, explaining God's nature and the stakes of idolatry.