It was not unusual among the heathen to condemn an entire family for the crime of one member (see Dan. 6:24). But God would have the transgressor himself bear the full penalty of his crime (2 Kings 14:6; Eze. 18:10-24). The Scriptures draw a clear line of distinction between a penalty inflicted for a wrong act, as here (see also Rom. 6:23), and the natural results of such an act (Ex. 20:5).