Exodus 20:6

6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Exodus 20:6 in Other Translations

6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.

6 But I'm unswervingly loyal to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments.

6 and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

6 But I show mercy to thousands of generations of those who love me and obey my commandments.

6 but showing faithful love to a thousand [generations] of those who love Me and keep My commands.

6 But for all time to come I show love to all those who love me and keep my commandments.

Exodus 20:6 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 20:6

And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me
And show their love by worshipping God, and him only, by serving him acceptably with reverence and godly fear, by a cheerful obedience to all his commands, by all religious exercises, both internal and external, as follows:

and keep my commandments;
not only this, but all others; for keeping these from right principles, and with right views, is an instance and evidence of love to God, see ( John 14:15 John 14:21 John 14:23 ) and to such persons he shows mercy and kindness, performs acts of grace, and bestows on them blessings of goodness; and indeed it is owing to his own grace, mercy, and kindness to them, that they do love him, and from a principle of love observe his precepts; and this is shown to thousands, to multitudes, who are blessed with such grace as to love the Lord, and keep his commandments: though rather this is to be understood of a thousand generations, and not persons, and should have been supplied, as in the preceding verse, "unto a thousand generations", God being more abundant in showing mercy, and exercising grace and goodness, than he is rigorous in inflicting punishment.

Exodus 20:6 In-Context

4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.

5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy 7:9; Jeremiah 32:18; Luke 1:50; Romans 11:28