CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 20:6 but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/20-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/02_Exo_20_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 20:6 - The Ten Commandments" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/20-6.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/20-6.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 6</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/20-5.htm" title="Exodus 20:5">◄</a> Exodus 20:6 <a href="/exodus/20-7.htm" title="Exodus 20:7">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />but showing favor to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />but showing graciousness <i>and</i> steadfast lovingkindness to thousands [of generations] of those who love Me and keep My commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commands. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But if you love me and obey my laws, I will be kind to your families for thousands of generations. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and shewing mercy unto thousands, of them that love me and keep my commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But I show mercy to thousands of generations of those who love me and obey my commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But I show my love to thousands of generations of those who love me and obey my laws. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />but showing gracious love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />and showing covenant faithfulness to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And showing mercy to thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and doing kindness to thousands, of those loving Me and keeping My commands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and doing kindness to thousands, of those loving Me and keeping My commands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And doing kindness to thousands to them loving me and to them watching my commands.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And shewing mercy unto thousands to them that love me, and keep my commandments. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />and showing mercy to thousands of those who love me and keep my precepts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />but showing love down to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And showing mercy to thousands of generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I produce grace to thousands of generations of My friends and those keeping my commands.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and showing mercy unto the thousandth generation of them that love Me and keep My commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and bestowing mercy on them that love me to thousands <i>of them</i>, and on them that keep my commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/20-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=4980" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm">The Ten Commandments</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">5</span>You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: wə·‘ō·śeh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">but showing</a> <a href="/hebrew/2617.htm" title="2617: ḥe·seḏ (N-ms) -- Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty. From chacad; kindness; by implication piety: rarely reproof, or Beauty.">loving devotion</a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: la·’ă·lā·p̄îm (Prep-l:: Number-mp) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand.">to a thousand generations</a> <a href="/hebrew/157.htm" title="157: lə·’ō·hă·ḇay (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 1cs) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">of those who love Me</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: ū·lə·šō·mə·rê (Conj-w, Prep-l:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">and keep</a> <a href="/hebrew/4687.htm" title="4687: miṣ·wō·ṯāy (N-fpc:: 1cs) -- Commandment. From tsavah; a command, whether human or divine.">My commandments.</a> </span><span class="reftext">7</span>You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/5-10.htm">Deuteronomy 5:10</a></span><br />but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-9.htm">Deuteronomy 7:9</a></span><br />Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Nehemiah 1:5</a></span><br />Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/9-4.htm">Daniel 9:4</a></span><br />And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-17.htm">Psalm 103:17-18</a></span><br />But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children— / to those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/25-10.htm">Psalm 25:10</a></span><br />All the LORD’s ways are loving and faithful to those who keep His covenant and His decrees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/89-28.htm">Psalm 89:28-29</a></span><br />I will forever preserve My loving devotion for him, and My covenant with him will stand fast. / I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-8.htm">Psalm 105:8-10</a></span><br />He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— / the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac. / He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/111-5.htm">Psalm 111:5</a></span><br />He provides food for those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/32-18.htm">Jeremiah 32:18</a></span><br />You show loving devotion to thousands but lay the iniquity of the fathers into the laps of their children after them, O great and mighty God whose name is the LORD of Hosts,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-23.htm">1 Kings 8:23</a></span><br />and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/6-14.htm">2 Chronicles 6:14</a></span><br />and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven or on earth, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15</a></span><br />If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-21.htm">John 14:21</a></span><br />Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-10.htm">John 15:10</a></span><br />If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And showing mercy to thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.</p><p class="hdg">shewing</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-37.htm">Deuteronomy 4:37</a></b></br> And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/5-29.htm">Deuteronomy 5:29</a></b></br> O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/7-9.htm">Deuteronomy 7:9</a></b></br> Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he <i>is</i> God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;</p><p class="hdg">love me</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15,21</a></b></br> If ye love me, keep my commandments… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_john/4-19.htm">1 John 4:19</a></b></br> We love him, because he first loved us.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_john/5-3.htm">1 John 5:3</a></b></br> For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/16-28.htm">Commandments</a> <a href="/exodus/18-23.htm">Commands</a> <a href="/exodus/20-5.htm">Generation</a> <a href="/exodus/20-5.htm">Generations</a> <a href="/exodus/9-2.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/exodus/15-13.htm">Kindness</a> <a href="/exodus/18-20.htm">Laws</a> <a href="/exodus/15-13.htm">Loving</a> <a href="/exodus/15-13.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/revelation/22-8.htm">Shewing</a> <a href="/revelation/22-8.htm">Showing</a> <a href="/exodus/15-13.htm">Steadfast</a> <a href="/exodus/12-37.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/exodus/18-25.htm">Thousands</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-9.htm">Thousandth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/24-12.htm">Commandments</a> <a href="/exodus/24-12.htm">Commands</a> <a href="/exodus/29-42.htm">Generation</a> <a href="/exodus/27-21.htm">Generations</a> <a href="/exodus/20-8.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Kindness</a> <a href="/exodus/21-1.htm">Laws</a> <a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Loving</a> <a href="/exodus/22-27.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/exodus/25-9.htm">Shewing</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-10.htm">Showing</a> <a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Steadfast</a> <a href="/exodus/32-28.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/exodus/34-7.htm">Thousands</a> <a href="/exodus/34-7.htm">Thousandth</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-1.htm">The ten commandments are spoken by Jehovah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-18.htm">The people are afraid, but Moses comforts them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-21.htm">Idolatry is forbidden</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-23.htm">Of what sort the altar should be</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>but showing loving devotion</b><br>This phrase highlights God's enduring and steadfast love, often translated as "hesed" in Hebrew, which encompasses mercy, kindness, and loyalty. It reflects God's covenantal faithfulness, a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. This loving devotion is not merely an emotional affection but a committed, covenantal love that God extends to His people. It is seen in His actions and promises, such as His covenant with Abraham (<a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a>) and His deliverance of Israel from Egypt (<a href="/exodus/6-6.htm">Exodus 6:6-8</a>).<p><b>to a thousand generations</b><br>The expression "a thousand generations" is hyperbolic, emphasizing the vastness and perpetuity of God's faithfulness. It suggests an immeasurable duration, indicating that God's covenantal love extends far beyond human limitations. This phrase is echoed in <a href="/deuteronomy/7-9.htm">Deuteronomy 7:9</a>, reinforcing the idea that God's promises and blessings are enduring. It contrasts with the consequences of disobedience mentioned earlier in the passage, underscoring the greater extent of God's mercy over His judgment.<p><b>of those who love Me</b><br>Loving God is a central tenet of the biblical faith, encapsulated in the Shema (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4-5</a>), which Jesus cites as the greatest commandment (<a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-38</a>). This love is not merely emotional but involves a commitment to God’s will and ways. It is a relational love that requires fidelity and devotion, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and His people. This love is demonstrated through obedience and is a response to God's prior love and faithfulness.<p><b>and keep My commandments</b><br>Obedience to God's commandments is a tangible expression of love for Him. The commandments, given at Sinai, form the basis of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. They are not merely legalistic requirements but are intended to guide the people in living a life that reflects God's character and purposes. Jesus reiterates this connection between love and obedience in <a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15</a>, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments," highlighting the continuity of this principle in the New Testament. Obedience is thus both a response to God's love and a means of maintaining the covenant relationship.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, God is establishing His covenant with the Israelites, emphasizing His nature as loving and faithful to those who are obedient.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The recipients of the Ten Commandments, they are the chosen people of God, called to live in obedience to His laws.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The location where God delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses, representing a pivotal moment in the establishment of the covenant between God and His people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites who received the Ten Commandments from God and communicated them to the people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/covenant.htm">Covenant</a></b><br>The agreement between God and the Israelites, where God promises blessings for obedience and faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>God's promise of loving devotion to a thousand generations underscores His unwavering faithfulness. Believers can trust in God's enduring love and commitment to His people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>Loving God is intrinsically linked to keeping His commandments. Obedience is a tangible expression of our love for God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/generational_blessings.htm">Generational Blessings</a></b><br>Our faithfulness to God can have a lasting impact on future generations. This encourages us to live in a way that honors God, knowing it can bless our descendants.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_relationship.htm">Covenant Relationship</a></b><br>Understanding our relationship with God as a covenant helps us see the mutual responsibilities involved. God is faithful, and we are called to respond with love and obedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/love_as_the_foundation.htm">Love as the Foundation</a></b><br>The foundation of our relationship with God is love, which motivates us to follow His commandments. This love is both a response to His love and a commandment itself.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_second_commandment.htm">What does the second commandment state?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_generational_curses_in_the_bible.htm">What does the Bible say about generational curses?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_ezekiel_18_20_with_exodus_20_5.htm">Ezekiel 18:20 – If individuals alone bear their own guilt, how do we reconcile this with Exodus 20:5, which speaks of generational punishment? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_psalm_109_curses_fit_a_loving_god.htm">If the psalmist is invoking literal curses in Psalm 109:9–10, how could this align with a loving God? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) <span class= "bld">Shewing mercy unto thousands.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">to the thousandth generation, </span>as is distinctly expressed in <a href="/deuteronomy/7-9.htm" title="Know therefore that the LORD your God, he is God, the faithful God, which keeps covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;">Deuteronomy 7:9</a>. God's mercy infinitely transcends His righteous anger. Sin is visited on three, or at most four, generations. Righteousness is remembered, and advantages descendants, for ever.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Shewing mercy unto thousands</span>. Or, "<span class="accented">to the thousandth generation</span>." (Compare <a href="/deuteronomy/7-9.htm">Deuteronomy 7:9</a>.) In neither case are the numbers to be taken as exact and definite. The object of them is to contrast the long duration of the Divine love and favour towards the descendants of those who love him, with the comparatively short duration of his chastening wrath in the case of those who are his adversaries. <span class="cmt_word">And keep my commandments</span>. Thus only is love shown. Compare <a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15-21</a>; <a href="/1_john/2-5.htm">1 John 2:5</a>; <a href="/2_john/1-6.htm">2 John 1:6</a>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/20-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">but showing</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעֹ֥֤שֶׂה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ō·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">loving devotion</span><br /><span class="heb">חֶ֖֙סֶד֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḥe·seḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2617.htm">Strong's 2617: </a> </span><span class="str2">Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to a thousand [generations]</span><br /><span class="heb">לַאֲלָפִ֑֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(la·’ă·lā·p̄îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Number - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_505.htm">Strong's 505: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thousand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of those who love</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאֹהֲבַ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’ō·hă·ḇay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have affection f</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Me and keep</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·šō·mə·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">My commandments.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִצְוֺתָֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(miṣ·wō·ṯāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4687.htm">Strong's 4687: </a> </span><span class="str2">Commandment</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/20-6.htm">Exodus 20:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/20-6.htm">Exodus 20:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/20-6.htm">Exodus 20:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/20-6.htm">Exodus 20:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/20-6.htm">Exodus 20:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/20-6.htm">Exodus 20:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/20-6.htm">Exodus 20:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/20-6.htm">Exodus 20:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/20-6.htm">Exodus 20:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/20-6.htm">Exodus 20:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/20-6.htm">OT Law: Exodus 20:6 And showing loving kindness to thousands (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/20-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 20:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 20:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/20-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 20:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 20:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>