Deuteronomy 24:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is widely acknowledged that a son is not held accountable for the sins of his father, nor is the father answerable for the misdeeds of his son, as stated in the law. This principle holds true, except in cases where a father raises his child in a wrongful manner; in such instances, the father's punishment stems from his own lack of diligence, much like the situation with Eli.

It is not accurate to claim that the wrongdoing of parents is transferred to the innocent, as God has expressly declared: ‘The fathers shall not be punished with death for the children, neither shall the children be punished with death for the fathers; each one shall be punished with death for his own offence.’ However, if offspring adopt the behaviors of their parents and partake in the evil deeds of their forebears, then it is certain that the iniquity does impact them.