Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  6000 Sin and salvation  »  6100 Aspects of sin  »  6160 fathers, sin of the

Children may suffer on account of the sins committed by their forebears, just as they may also be blessed for their sake. Nevertheless, Scripture teaches that each individual must take responsibility for his or her own sin.

Children suffer the ill-effects of their fathers' sins

Exodus 34:6-7 See also Exodus 20:4-6 pp Deuteronomy 5:8-10; Leviticus 26:39; Numbers 14:18,31-33; Joshua 7:24-25; 1 Kings 16:34; Joshua 6:26; Job 21:19; Isaiah 14:21; Jeremiah 32:18

The exilic prophets emphasised individual responsibility for sin

Ezekiel 18:20 See also Jeremiah 31:29-30; Ezekiel 18:1-20

Children share in the blessing of their fathers

Genesis 17:4-7; Genesis 26:24; Deuteronomy 7:9 See also Genesis 6:17-18; Genesis 15:18-19; Exodus 2:23-25; Exodus 20:4-6 pp Deuteronomy 5:8-10; Numbers 25:10-13; 2 Samuel 7:11-16; 1 Kings 11:12-13,31-34; Luke 1:50; Romans 11:28-29

See also

5051  responsibility
5482  punishment
5651  ancestors
5664  children
5680  family
5684  fathers
6020  sin