Jeremiah 31:29

29 "In those days people will no longer say, 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes. But the children have a bitter taste in their mouths.'

Jeremiah 31:29 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 31:29

In those days they shall say no more
The following proverb or byword; they should have no occasion to use it, nor should they choose to use it; since they would understand themselves, and the dispensations of Providence towards them, better than to use it: the fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set
on edge;
that is, the fathers have sinned, and the children are punished for their sins. So the Targum,

``the fathers have sinned, and the children are smitten.''

This was in some sense true; they were punished for their fathers' sins in the captivity, particularly for Manasseh's; nor was it unusual with God to visit the iniquities of the fathers upon the children; nor at all unjust, since they were a part of their parents, and especially since they were guilty of the same sins; nor is it thought unjust among men to punish children for the treason of their parents, as every sin is treason against God. But this was not all that was meant by this proverb; the sense of those that used it was, that they themselves were quite clear and innocent, and that they only suffered for their fathers' faults; which was false, of which they should be convinced, and use the proverb no more, as charging God with injustice.

Jeremiah 31:29 In-Context

27 The LORD announces, "The days are coming when I will plant the nation of Israel and Judah again. I will plant it with children and young animals.

28 "I watched over Israel and Judah to pull them up by the roots. I tore them down. I crushed them. I destroyed them. I brought horrible trouble on them. But now I will watch over them to build them up and plant them," announces the Lord.

29 "In those days people will no longer say, 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes. But the children have a bitter taste in their mouths.'

30 Instead, everyone will die for his own sin. The one who eats sour grapes will taste how bitter they are.

31 "A new day is coming," announces the Lord. "I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel. I will also make it with the people of Judah.