King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 5:9 Mean?

Deuteronomy 5:9 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquit...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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,”

Deuteronomy 5:9 · KJV

Context

7

Thou shalt have none other gods before me.

8

Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:

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,

10

And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

11

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Read Deuteronomy 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The prohibition 'Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them' addresses worship posture and service. The Hebrew 'shachah' (bow down) and 'abad' (serve) indicate both external reverence and devoted service. The warning 'for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God' reveals divine intolerance of rivals. God's 'jealousy' (Hebrew 'qanna') is righteous zeal for His honor and His people's exclusive devotion. The threat of visiting 'iniquity of the fathers upon the children' demonstrates covenant solidarity—families and nations reap corporate consequences of idolatry. Yet judgment is limited ('third and fourth generation'), while mercy extends infinitely.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Idolatrous worship involved prostration before images, burning incense, offering sacrifices, temple prostitution, and child sacrifice. Canaanite Baal worship included ritual prostitution and child sacrifice to Molech (Leviticus 18:21). Israel adopted these abominations repeatedly, as prophets condemned (Isaiah 57:5, Jeremiah 7:31). God's jealousy manifested in exile—Assyrian captivity (722 BC) for Israel, Babylonian captivity (586 BC) for Judah, demonstrating multi-generational consequences of persistent idolatry.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's 'jealousy' for His glory and His people's devotion demonstrate holy love rather than petty possessiveness?
  2. What does the principle of generational consequences teach about the corporate nature of sin and the importance of godly family legacy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
לֹֽא1 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֥֣ה2 of 21

“Thou shalt not bow down”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

לָהֶ֖ם֮3 of 21
H0
וְלֹ֣א4 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תָֽעָבְדֵ֑ם֒5 of 21

“thyself unto them nor serve”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

כִּ֣י6 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אָֽנֹכִ֞י7 of 21
H595

i

יְהוָ֤ה8 of 21

“them for I the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙9 of 21

“thy God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֵ֣ל10 of 21

“God”

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

קַנָּ֔א11 of 21

“am a jealous”

H7067

jealous

פֹּ֠קֵד12 of 21

“visiting”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

עֲוֹ֨ן13 of 21

“the iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

אָב֧וֹת14 of 21

“of the fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

עַל15 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בָּנִ֛ים16 of 21

“upon the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְעַל17 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שִׁלֵּשִׁ֥ים18 of 21

“unto the third”

H8029

a descendant of the third degree, i.e., great grandchild

וְעַל19 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רִבֵּעִ֖ים20 of 21

“and fourth”

H7256

a descendant of the fourth generation, i.e., great great grandchild

לְשֹֽׂנְאָֽ֑י׃21 of 21

“generation of them that hate”

H8130

to hate (personally)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 5:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 5:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 20:4-6Exodus 34:7Daniel 9:4-9Numbers 14:18Exodus 34:14Matthew 23:35-36

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Deuteronomy 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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