Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:20
This verse states that the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, which contradicts Exodus 20:5 that implies generational punishment.
Ezekiel 18:20: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 24:16
It asserts that every man shall be put to death for his own sin, not for the sins of their parents, contrasting Exodus 20:5's statement of visiting iniquity on future generations.
Deuteronomy 24:16: 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.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 31:29-30
It explains that everyone will die for their own sins, implying a direct contrast to the generational punishment in Exodus 20:5.
Jeremiah 31:29-30: In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.
Contradiction with 2 Kings 14:6
This verse emphasizes that children should not be put to death for their fathers' sins, opposing the message of Exodus 20:5 regarding punishment for succeeding generations.
2 Kings 14:6: But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
Paradox #1
One potential contradiction or conflict with this verse is the idea of God punishing children for the sins of their parents. This could seem inconsistent with the concept of individual responsibility and justice, where each person is accountable for their own actions, as suggested in other parts of the Bible, such as in Ezekiel 18:20, which states that individuals are responsible for their own sin.
Paradox #2
Exodus 20:5 might seem to contradict the idea of personal responsibility found in other parts of the Bible, like Ezekiel 18:20, which suggests that individuals are responsible for their own sins and not for the sins of their ancestors. This could appear inconsistent because one verse implies consequences for future generations, while the other stresses individual accountability.
Paradox #3
The contradiction or conflict with Exodus 20:5 lies in the portrayal of God's nature. Some people see a conflict between this verse, which describes God as "jealous" and punishing children for their parents' sins, and the concept of a loving and just God. Additionally, later biblical texts, such as Ezekiel 18:20, emphasize individual responsibility for sin, creating a perceived inconsistency within the scriptures about how sin and punishment are handled across generations.
Paradox #4
The scientific conflict with this verse arises from its implication that the actions of parents can directly affect the well-being or circumstances of future generations in a moral or spiritual sense. In modern science, particularly genetics and psychology, while it's understood that genetic traits can be passed down, the idea of moral punishment or rewards being inherited across generations doesn't align with scientific understanding. Environmental and social factors can influence generational outcomes, but not in a direct moral causality as some interpretations of the verse suggest.
Paradox #5
The contradiction or conflict in the verse could be that it talks about punishing children for the actions of their parents. This might seem unfair or inconsistent with modern ideas of individual responsibility, where people believe each person should be accountable only for their own actions, not someone else's.