jealous God: When Scripture calls God a jealous God, it means he strongly opposes his people turning to false gods. He does not want them to give their loyalty to other gods (see Joshua 24:19–20). God’s jealousy is not selfish. It shows his deep love and his desire for his people to remain faithful to him.
to the third and fourth generations … a thousand generations: We must understand both parts of this statement together. God does not punish children for the sins of their parents. Instead, God teaches that sin has effects that can harm future generations.
Even so, God limits the natural effects of sin to three or four generations. In contrast, he extends the effects of obedience to a thousand generations. This shows that God’s mercy is much greater than his judgment (see also 34:6–7; Deuteronomy 7:9).
hate: The Hebrew words translated “love” (Exodus 20:6) and “hate” are broader than English words. They describe not only feelings but also choices.
In the Bible, to love means "to choose someone or something and to act faithfully toward that choice." To hate means "to reject someone or something and to act in ways that show that rejection."
Emotions and choices are connected. What we feel influences our choices, and our choices reveal what we truly feel.