In reference to: 'For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.'

My Bible footnotes tell me the 'thousands' are also generations and not individuals, and it got me thinking about alot of things, mostly God's patience and mercy towards us, but it also raised this question: How many generations have past since Adam?

And one more...is the reference to 'thousands' understood as generations across the board ?

Thanks in advance,
Hannahsmom