They didn't mean that the sins a parent might commit would be visited on their offspring. The words actually meant that the mistakes a parent made while they were bringing up their children would be visited on the second, the third, even the fourth generation.
The quote suggests that the consequences of a parent's mistakes during child-rearing extend beyond just the individual children. Instead of implying that a parent's sins directly affect their children, it emphasizes the idea that the impact of parenting errors is felt across several generations. This perspective highlights how the environment and values instilled by parents can shape the experiences of their descendants.
This notion invites reflection on the long-lasting effects of parenting practices and decisions. It underscores the responsibility parents have in nurturing and guiding their children, as the repercussions of their actions can resonate far into the future, impacting not just their immediate offspring but many generations thereafter.
