2 Chronicles 25:4
French Perret-Gentil et Rilliet 1847
Mais il ne mit pas à mort leurs fils, se conformant à ce qui est écrit dans la Loi, dans le Livre de Moïse, d'après l'ordre de l'Éternel, portant: Les pères ne subiront pas la mort à cause de leurs fils, et les fils ne subiront pas la mort à cause de leurs pères, mais chacun subira la mort pour son péché.
What Does This Mean?
This verse tells us that Amaziah, a king, did not kill the children of his enemies. Instead, he followed the law given by Moses, which states that each person should be responsible for their own sins, not the sins of their parents or children.
Explained for Children
Imagine you made a mistake at school, but your friend got in trouble for it. That's not fair, right? This verse says that God wants each person to be responsible for their own actions, just like you wouldn't want to get in trouble for something your friend did.
Historical Background
The book of 2 Chronicles was written by the Chronicler, likely in the post-exilic period, around the 4th century BCE. It was written for the Israelites returning from exile, to remind them of their history and to encourage them to follow God's laws, including the principle of individual responsibility for one's actions.
Living It Out Today
In today's world, this principle applies when a parent is caught in a financial scandal. While the family might feel the impact, the children shouldn't be punished or bear the full blame for their parent's actions. Each person should take responsibility for their own choices.
Topics
responsibilityjusticesinaccountabilityindividualitylaw
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn't Amaziah kill the children?
Amaziah followed God's law, which states that each person should be responsible for their own sins, and not for the sins of their parents or children.
What does this verse teach about justice?
It teaches that justice should be fair and that each person should face the consequences of their own actions, not those of others.
How does this verse relate to the law of Moses?
This verse reflects a principle from the law of Moses which emphasizes individual accountability for sins, found in several other passages like Deuteronomy 24:16.
What can we learn from this for today's society?
We can learn that it is unjust to hold individuals accountable for the sins or mistakes of others, and that fair justice requires each person to face the consequences of their own actions.