But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.
But he did not kill their children. Instead, he followed what was written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded: 'Fathers should not be put to death because of their children's sins, and children should not be put to death because of their fathers' sins. Each person should die only for their own sin.'
This verse shows that God established the principle that people should only be punished for their own wrongdoing, not for the sins of their family members.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of King Amaziah of Judah, who ruled around the 8th century BC, it was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern societies to punish entire families for the crimes of one individual, as a way to eliminate threats and deter rebellion. However, Amaziah chose to adhere to the law given by God through Moses in Deuteronomy 24:16, which emphasized individual accountability and prohibited executing children for their parents' sins. This decision highlighted the distinct moral framework of Israelite law, which prioritized God's justice over prevailing cultural norms.
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