King James Version

What Does Exodus 34:7 Mean?

Exodus 34:7 in the King James Version says “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; v...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Exodus 34:7 · KJV

Context

5

And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.

6

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering , and abundant in goodness and truth,

7

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.

8

And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.

9

And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.

Read Exodus 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God extends mercy to thousands (אֲלָפִים, alaphim) but visits iniquity to three or four generations—mercy outweighs judgment 250:1. Yet God 'will by no means clear the guilty' (נַקֵּה לֹא יְנַקֶּה, naqeh lo yenaqeh)—an emphatic Hebrew construction meaning judgment is certain. This tension between mercy and justice finds resolution only at Calvary, where God's righteousness and love meet (Ps 85:10). The three terms—עָוֹן (avon, iniquity), פֶּשַׁע (pesha, transgression), חַטָּאָה (chatta'ah, sin)—cover all categories of rebellion.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The concept of corporate/generational responsibility was fundamental to ancient covenant society. Children often suffered consequences of parents' sins, yet each generation remained accountable (Ezek 18).

Reflection Questions

  1. How can God be both just in punishing sin and merciful in forgiving it?
  2. What does the ratio of mercy to judgment (thousands vs. 3-4 generations) reveal about God's heart?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
נֹצֵ֥ר1 of 22

“Keeping”

H5341

to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)

חֶ֙סֶד֙2 of 22

“mercy”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

לָֽאֲלָפִ֔ים3 of 22

“for thousands”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

נֹשֵׂ֥א4 of 22

“forgiving”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

עֲוֹ֣ן5 of 22

“iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וָפֶ֖שַׁע6 of 22

“and transgression”

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

וְחַטָּאָ֑ה7 of 22

“and sin”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

יְנַקֶּ֔ה8 of 22

“and that will by no means”

H5352

to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated

לֹ֣א9 of 22
H3808

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

יְנַקֶּ֔ה10 of 22

“and that will by no means”

H5352

to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated

פֹּקֵ֣ד׀11 of 22

“the guilty visiting”

H6485

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

עֲוֹ֣ן12 of 22

“iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

אָב֗וֹת13 of 22

“of the fathers”

H1

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

עַל14 of 22
H5921

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

בָנִ֔ים15 of 22

“and upon the children's”

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

וְעַל16 of 22
H5921

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

בָנִ֔ים17 of 22

“and upon the children's”

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

בָנִ֔ים18 of 22

“and upon the children's”

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

עַל19 of 22
H5921

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

שִׁלֵּשִׁ֖ים20 of 22

“children unto the third”

H8029

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

וְעַל21 of 22
H5921

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

רִבֵּעִֽים׃22 of 22

“and to the fourth”

H7256

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Exodus 34:7 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 Exodus 34:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 20:5-6Psalms 103:3Deuteronomy 5:9-10Ephesians 1:71 John 1:9Jeremiah 32:18

Test Your Knowledge

Exodus 34 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterExodus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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