Looking for some help on Deut 5:9

Maybe the second verse is limited to capital punishments? or maybe it fallows the same vein as distinction in James between which sins cause death. Though certainly the decendents of Eli paid for their father's sins by early death. I'm not speaking of his two sons because they paid the price for their own sin. But his desendents mentioned here:

Maybe it has something to do with what Eli says here:

 

I think the key words are "of them that hate Me".

The next verse says:

De*5:10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.


There are two groups of people. Those that hate God and those that love Him. God punishes those that hate Him and shows mercy to those that love Him.

Just my 2 cents.

 

1. Read the verses in context.

2. The context of Deuteronomy 5:9 is the whole chapter
(also read Deut. 7:7:1-11)
Who is speaking?
Who is he speaking for?
Highlight the - "you" 's in the text
Who is the warning directed at? (a specific or a general audience)
What are the consequences of disobedience?

3. Read the context of Deuteronomy 24:16 (actually starts many chapters earlier)(Deut. 24:6-22)
Who are the commands directed at (specific cases or a general audience)?

Does an iniquity, transgression or sin effect other people?

Rob

 

How about consulting a time-honored, universally recognized commentary?

 

Deu 5:9 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 generation of those who hate me,

Deu 24:16 Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin.

Deuteronomy 5 speaks of "visiting" the iniquity of the fathers on the children. The effects of the sins of the fathers reaches to the third and fourth generation.

Deuteronmy 24 speaks of the death penalty and that it cannot be imposed upon a murderers (for instance) children. The death penalty is imposed upon the guilty individual but the effects of the father's sin could reach to the 3rd and 4th generation of the murderer's children.


HankD

 

I agree with "natural consequences" and "direct punishment."

An alcoholic father leaves lasting scars on his children which in turn affects their children etc . . .

But when we all stand before Christ, not one of those children or grandchildren will perish because of their father's drunkenness.

In Christ,
Pilgrimer

 

Good. I would say it this way:

Deuteronomy 5:9 = God's judgment

Deuteronomy 24:16 = Penalties handed down by the civil government.

 

I hear a lot of people apply it this way, but I disagree. I think that is reading a modern situation into the text. The context is worship of false gods. Fathers who worship false gods will spread this to their children.

 

Yes

Good example. The Word of God applies to us ever so much today as it did in man's history. With some differences in how it is applied under the New Covenant that was made when Jesus Christ died on the cross.

I think verse 10 also is important in qualifying verse 9.