Definition: Our fathers have sinned, [and are] not; and we have borne their iniquities.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Lamentations 5:7 together. It’s a really important and somewhat sobering passage about God's relationship to humanity. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says: “Our parents have made mistakes, and we are inheriting those mistakes.” Let’s unpack that a little further: “Our fathers have sinned…” This refers to the mistakes of our parents – the people who came before us. We all inherit our family history, and sometimes that history includes things like selfishness, dishonesty, anger, or pride. “…and are not…” This is a crucial part. It means that these mistakes don’t continue to affect us. They're not happening now . They haven’t fully manifested into our lives yet. “And we have borne their iniquities.” This is the core of the verse. “Iniquities” is a tricky word, but it means the consequences of those mistakes. It signifies the suffering, hardship, and pain that result from our parents’ actions. It's like saying "the results of what we did are affecting us." So, putting it all together: The verse acknowledges that our parents made wrong choices in the past. Those choices have had a negative impact on us, and those impacts continue to be felt today. It’s a recognition of the burden of our family history. What does this verse teach us? Responsibility: It reminds us that we are responsible for our actions, even when they come from our parents. Forgiveness: It suggests that forgiveness is possible – not just towards others, but also towards ourselves and our families. Recognizing past mistakes allows us to move forward with hope and a willingness to learn from them. Hope: It’s a message of comfort, because it acknowledges that God still loves us even after we've made mistakes. In essence, Lamentations 5:7 is a powerful reminder that our family history includes the impact of our choices, and it calls for us to strive for better behavior. --- Do you want me to: Explain it further in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or example?