Jeremiah 31:29 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge. The fathers have eaten a sour grape - A proverbial expression for, "The children suffer for the offenses of their parents." This is explained in the next verse: "Every one shall die for his own iniquity." No child shall suffer Divine punition for the sin of his father; only so far as he acts in the same way can he be said to bear the sins of his parents.

Jeremiah 31:29

29 In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.