Are you looking for a way to say that misdeeds can have grave consequences that can, in more extreme cases, even have an intergenerational impact? You could turn to the saying "the sins of the father (are visited upon the sons)". This post unpacks its origin and meaning.
Meaning
The quote "the sins of the father" has a Biblical origin. While passages conveying this idea appear in the Bible multiple times, Numbers 14:18 is the most prominent example.
This passage reads, in the King James Version: "The Lord [...] [visits] the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation."
In popular culture, the phrase "the sins of the father" simply refers to the idea that parents' actions — or indeed the actions of a generation as a whole — impact descendants.
Example Usage
Are you curious about the ways in which the quote "the sins of the father" might be incorporated into a sentence? Take a look at the following examples to get a better feel for the ways in which this saying might be used:
- "My brother James went back to prison for grand theft auto, leaving two young sons with his girlfriend. Doesn't he know that the the sins of the father are visited upon the sons?"
- "I gave up smoking as soon as I learned that children of smokers are more likely to become smokers, too, before the sins of the father are visited on the children."
- "I've always rejected the idea that the sins of the father are visited upon the children. I create my own destiny."
Origin
The phrase "the sins of the father" appears in the Bible several times.
Exodus 20:5 says: "You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me."
Numbers 14:18 says: "The Lord is long-suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons to the third and fourth generation."
The phrase also appears in Deuteronomy 5:9-10 and Jeremiah 32:17-18.
Bible scholars and everyday Christians alike have interpreted these passages in many different ways. The majority view appears to be that "the sins of the father" simply means that the actions of parents, or a preceding generation, can have grave consequences for their descendants.
Parents' sins (or wrongdoings) can tar the reputation of their children, impact their mental health, or alter their behavior.
Ezekiel 18:2-4, from the New Testament, appears to refute the idea that God will directly punish children for their parents' sins, meanwhile.
In popular culture, the quote "the sins of the father" is typically used to talk about parents' wrongdoings affecting their children in a broad manner.
Phrases Similar to The Sins of the Father
The saying "the sins of the father (are visited upon the children)" appears in a few different forms throughout the Bible, but there are no secular phrases that have the same meaning.
Phrases Opposite to The Sins of the Father
The Bible also presents the opposite idea in a few different places. Ezekiel 20:18 is a good example:
"The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself."
What Is the Correct Saying?
The correct saying, "the sins of the father (will be visited upon the children)" means that parents' wrongdoings can have a profound impact on later generations.
Ways People May Say The Sins of the Father Incorrectly
The phrase "the sins of the father" has become ingrained in popular culture, but before using it, you would be advised to keep in mind that this saying comes from the Bible. If you are non-religious, it may not be the best phrase for you.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase The Sins of the Father
You can use the phrase "the sins of the father (are visited upon the children)" if you are looking for an idiom that describes the impact that parental wrongdoing might have on children.
The phrase can also be used in a broader way, for example to discuss how political strife continues through the generations.