"... Targum Onkelos bolts from its customary literalism, when it is deemed imperative to spare the reader from misconceptions. Verse 20:5 portrays a zealous God, who regards idolatry as a heinous act, He would punish children, even unto the third or fourth generation, of a father who was guilty of such behavior. This presents the reader with a theological dilemma. Is it possible that God would punish innocent children for the sins of their fathers? The oral tradition modified the biblical statement by insisting that the punishment would befall only children who followed their parents' wicked ways. Our translator also resolved the problem by inserting this view. While this exegesis is characteristic of the ancient oral tradition, it required boldness on his part to include it in his translation. An intended reader, who was probably unable to understand the Hebrew text, would have depended upon the Onkelos rendition of the Bible. That reader might have concluded erroneously that the targumist's addition was part of the biblical text. Nevertheless, he opted, in this case and in many others, for clarity over literalism ..."