The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
Parents should not be executed for crimes their children commit, and children should not be executed for crimes their parents commit. Each person should only be put to death for their own sin.
This verse establishes that each person is only responsible for their own wrongdoing, not their family members' crimes.
📚 Historical Context
This law was given to ancient Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, establishing a justice system that differed from surrounding nations where entire families could be punished for one member's crime. This principle of individual responsibility was revolutionary for its time and protected innocent family members from suffering for others' actions.
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