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.

Exodus 34:6-7

Children suffer the ill-effects of their fathers' sins

See also

Exodus 20:4-6
Leviticus 26:39
Numbers 14:18,31-33

pp Dt 5:8-10

Joshua 7:24-25
1 Kings 16:34
Joshua 6:26
Job 21:19
Isaiah 14:21
Jeremiah 32:18
Ezekiel 18:20

The exilic prophets emphasised individual responsibility for sin

See also

Jeremiah 31:29-30
Ezekiel 18:1-20
Genesis 17:4-7; 26:24

Children share in the blessing of their fathers

Deuteronomy 7:9

See also

Genesis 6:17-18; 15:18-19
Exodus 2:23-25; 20:4-6
Numbers 25:10-13
2 Samuel 7:11-16

pp Dt 5:8-10

1 Kings 11:12-13,31-34
Luke 1:50
Romans 11:28-29

See also

5051 responsibility
5482 punishment
5652 babies
5664 children
5680 family
5685 fathers, responsibilities
6020 sin