Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 25:4
Yet he did not put their sons to death, but acted according to what is written in the Law, in the Book of Moses, where the LORD commanded: “Fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chronicler narrates King Amaziah’s judicial decision immediately after he executes the assassins of his father. The account records his refusal to execute the murderers' sons, grounding his action in Mosaic law.
The words — The text highlights כָּתוּב (ka.Tuv), meaning "what is written," and תּוֹרָה (to.Rah), meaning "law," to emphasize that Amaziah’s restraint followed a recorded legal standard. These terms anchor his judicial restraint in the Book of Moses rather than personal discretion.
The thread — This principle echoes Deuteronomy 24:16, which prohibits executing fathers for children or children for fathers, and aligns with Ezekiel 18:20’s declaration that each soul dies for its own sin. The narrative also parallels 2 Kings 14:5, which records the same initial act of executing the king’s murderers.
Why it lands — The passage requires readers to recognize that judicial authority must be bounded by explicit written law rather than personal vengeance. It demands accountability for individual guilt and rejects collective punishment as a legitimate legal practice.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 24:16 Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.
- Ezekiel 18:20 The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him.
- 2 Kings 14:5 As soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, Amaziah executed the servants who had murdered his father the king.
- Jeremiah 31:29 “In those days, it will no longer be said: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge.’
- Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.