Exodus 20:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God forbids worship or service to idols and warns of consequences for those who reject Him.
The Context of Exodus 20:5
God warns against bowing to idols and describes consequences for those who reject Him.
What Does Exodus 20:5 Mean?
The commandment extends beyond creating images to actively worshipping them. To 'bow down' and 'serve' describes the posture and devotion of worship. Making the idol compounds the sin; worshipping it seals the rebellion. God's 'jealousy' here is not petty but covenantal—the jealousy of a spouse claiming faithfulness from a committed partner. God takes seriously the exclusive relationship established in the covenant.
The mention of visiting iniquity to the third and fourth generation speaks to the breadth of consequences when a family rejects God's covenant. Sin creates ripples through generations—not automatic punishment but the natural and spiritual outcomes of walking away from God. Yet this warning is balanced by the next verses showing that mercy extends to thousands of those who love Him.
Exodus 20:5 in the Original Language
Qannai (קנאי), 'jealous' — denotes passionate protective devotion, the intensity of a covenant claim rather than envious spite.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 20:5
What does Exodus 20:5 mean?
God forbids worship or service to idols and warns of consequences for those who reject Him.
What is the context of Exodus 20:5?
God warns against bowing to idols and describes consequences for those who reject Him.