“The people will no longer quote this proverb: ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste.’
Parallel translations
- WEB “In those days they shall say no more, “‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’
- KJV In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.
- BSB “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.’
- NKJV In those days they shall say no more: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children’s teeth are set on edge.’
- NASB “In those days they will no longer say, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, But it is the children’s teeth that have become blunt.’
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God declares an end to the proverb that blames children's suffering on their fathers' sins. It points toward a renewed dealing with His people based on personal accountability.
Overview
The popular proverb expressed a fatalism that the exiles suffered only for their ancestors' guilt (cf. Ezek. 18:2). In the coming restoration God will set this complaint aside, affirming that each person stands before Him for his own response. This does not deny the corporate effects of sin but emphasizes personal responsibility, preparing the way for the individual heart-knowledge of God under the new covenant.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Lam 5:7Our fathers sinned, and are no more; We have borne their iniquities.
- Ezek 18:2–3“What do you mean, that you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?
- Jer 31:30But everyone shall die for his own iniquity: every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Against the failure of false shepherds Jeremiah promises the Righteous Branch, 'The LORD our righteousness,' and the new covenant written on the heart and sealed in the blood of Christ.
How Jeremiah 31:29 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.