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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 15:16 In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/15-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/01_Gen_15_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 15:16 - God Confirms His Promise" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/15-15.htm" title="Genesis 15:15">◄</a> Genesis 15:16 <a href="/genesis/15-17.htm" title="Genesis 15:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />After four generations your descendants will return here to this land, for the sins of the Amorites do not yet warrant their destruction.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites <i>is</i> not yet full.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites <i>is</i> not yet complete.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the wrongdoing of the Amorite is not yet complete.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Then in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then in the fourth generation your descendants shall return here [to Canaan, the land of promise], for the wickedness <i>and</i> guilt of the Amorites is not yet complete (finished).”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Four generations later, your descendants will return here and take this land, because only then will the people who live here be so sinful that they deserve to be punished. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, because the sin of the Amorites will not have run its course until then."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />It will be four generations before your descendants come back here, because I will not drive out the Amorites until they become so wicked that they must be punished." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Your descendants will return here in the fourth generation, since the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet run its course."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its limit." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />In the fourth generation they will come here again, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />In the fourth generation they will come here again, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the fourth generation turns back here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the fourth generation doth turn back hither, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the fourth generation they shall turn back hither: for the crime of the Amorite has not been completed till now.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But in the fourth generation they shall return hither: for as yet the iniquities of the Amorrhites are not at the full until this present time. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But in the fourth generation, they will return here. For the iniquities of the Amorites are not yet completed, even to this present time.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the wickedness of the Amorites is not yet complete.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And they shall come back here in the fourth generation; for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And after four centuries, they shall return here; for the iniquities of the Amorites are not yet full.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And in the fourth age they shall return here, because the debts of the Amorites are not yet fulfilled.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And in the fourth generation they shall come back hither; for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And in the fourth generation they shall return hither, for the sins of the Amorites are not yet filled up, even until now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/15-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=3241" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/15.htm">God Confirms His Promise</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a ripe old age. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7243.htm" title="7243: rə·ḇî·‘î (Number-oms) -- Fourth. Or rbiiy; from raba'; fourth; also a fourth.">In the fourth</a> <a href="/hebrew/1755.htm" title="1755: wə·ḏō·wr (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Period, generation, dwelling. Or dor; from duwr; properly, a revolution of time, i.e. An age or generation; also a dwelling.">generation</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: yā·šū·ḇū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">your descendants will return</a> <a href="/hebrew/2008.htm" title="2008: hên·nāh (Adv) -- Hither. From hen; hither or thither.">here,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: ‘ă·wōn (N-csc) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">the iniquity</a> <a href="/hebrew/567.htm" title="567: hā·’ĕ·mō·rî (Art:: N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps mountain dwellers, a Canaanite tribe. ">of the Amorites</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">is not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">yet</a> <a href="/hebrew/2008.htm" title="2008: hên·nāh (Adv) -- Hither. From hen; hither or thither."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8003.htm" title="8003: šā·lêm (Adj-ms) -- Complete, safe, at peace. From shalam; complete; especially friendly.">complete.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch appeared and passed between the halves of the carcasses.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-40.htm">Exodus 12:40-41</a></span><br />Now the duration of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt was 430 years. / At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/18-24.htm">Leviticus 18:24-28</a></span><br />Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for by all these things the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves. / Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants. / But you are to keep My statutes and ordinances, and you must not commit any of these abominations—neither your native-born nor the foreigner who lives among you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/9-4.htm">Deuteronomy 9:4-5</a></span><br />When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, “Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.” Rather, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness. / It is not because of your righteousness or uprightness of heart that you are going in to possess their land, but it is because of their wickedness that the LORD your God is driving out these nations before you, to keep the promise He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-6.htm">Acts 7:6-7</a></span><br />God told him that his descendants would be foreigners in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. / ‘But I will punish the nation that enslaves them,’ God said, ‘and afterward they will come forth and worship Me in this place.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Romans 4:13</a></span><br />For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-17.htm">Galatians 3:17</a></span><br />What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-9.htm">Hebrews 11:9-10</a></span><br />By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-26.htm">1 Kings 21:26</a></span><br />He committed the most detestable acts by going after idols, just like the Amorites whom the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/21-11.htm">2 Kings 21:11</a></span><br />“Since Manasseh king of Judah has committed all these abominations, acting more wickedly than the Amorites who preceded him, and with his idols has caused Judah to sin,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-8.htm">Nehemiah 9:8</a></span><br />You found his heart faithful before You, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites and Hittites, of the Amorites and Perizzites, of the Jebusites and Girgashites—to give it to his descendants. You have kept Your promise, because You are righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-12.htm">Jeremiah 25:12</a></span><br />But when seventy years are complete, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and I will make it an everlasting desolation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-9.htm">Ezekiel 20:9-10</a></span><br />But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were living, in whose sight I had revealed Myself to Israel by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. / So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/9-24.htm">Daniel 9:24</a></span><br />Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-32.htm">Matthew 23:32</a></span><br />Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-24.htm">Luke 21:24</a></span><br />They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But in the fourth generation they shall come here again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.</p><p class="hdg">in the.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/12-40.htm">Exodus 12:40</a></b></br> Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, <i>was</i> four hundred and thirty years.</p><p class="hdg">Amorites.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/21-26.htm">1 Kings 21:26</a></b></br> And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all <i>things</i> as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_peter/3-8.htm">2 Peter 3:8,9</a></b></br> But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day <i>is</i> with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day… </p><p class="hdg">not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/8-23.htm">Daniel 8:23</a></b></br> And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/5-5.htm">Zechariah 5:5-11</a></b></br> Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what <i>is</i> this that goeth forth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/23-32.htm">Matthew 23:32-35</a></b></br> Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/14-13.htm">Amorite</a> <a href="/genesis/14-7.htm">Amorites</a> <a href="/genesis/2-1.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/genesis/2-14.htm">Fourth</a> <a href="/genesis/14-10.htm">Full</a> <a href="/genesis/7-1.htm">Generation</a> <a href="/revelation/21-9.htm">Hither</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-16.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/revelation/21-17.htm">Measure</a> <a href="/genesis/4-5.htm">Present</a> <a href="/genesis/8-9.htm">Reached</a> <a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/genesis/15-11.htm">Turn</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/15-21.htm">Amorite</a> <a href="/genesis/15-21.htm">Amorites</a> <a href="/genesis/29-27.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/exodus/20-5.htm">Fourth</a> <a href="/genesis/18-15.htm">Full</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Generation</a> <a href="/genesis/42-15.htm">Hither</a> <a href="/genesis/19-15.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/genesis/24-1.htm">Measure</a> <a href="/genesis/19-15.htm">Present</a> <a href="/genesis/18-21.htm">Reached</a> <a href="/genesis/18-20.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/genesis/16-9.htm">Turn</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">God encourages Abram, who asks for an heir.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/15-4.htm">God promises him a son, and a multiplying of his seed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Abram is justified by faith.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/15-7.htm">Canaan is promised again, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/15-9.htm">and confirmed by a sign, and a vision,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">prophetic of the condition of his posterity till brought out of Egypt.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The "fourth generation" can be understood as a period of approximately 400 years, as seen in the broader context of <a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13</a>, where God tells Abram that his descendants will be strangers in a land not their own and will be enslaved and mistreated for 400 years. This aligns with the Israelites' time in Egypt before the Exodus. The use of "generation" here reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of a generation as roughly 100 years.<p><b>your descendants will return here</b><br>This promise refers to the land of Canaan, which God has promised to Abram and his descendants. The return signifies the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abram, where his descendants will inherit the land. This is a prophetic statement pointing to the eventual conquest of Canaan under Joshua, as recorded in the book of Joshua. The return also signifies God's faithfulness to His promises, despite the intervening period of hardship in Egypt.<p><b>for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete</b><br>The Amorites were one of the Canaanite peoples inhabiting the land promised to Abram. This phrase suggests that God is allowing time for the Amorites to reach a full measure of sin before judgment is executed upon them. It reflects God's justice and patience, as He does not bring judgment prematurely. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a>, which speaks of God's patience and desire for repentance. The eventual conquest of Canaan is thus portrayed as a divine judgment on the Amorites' accumulated sin, rather than an arbitrary act of aggression by the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abram.htm">Abram (Abraham)</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Abram is receiving a covenant promise from God regarding his descendants and their future.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_amorites.htm">The Amorites</a></b><br>A group of people living in Canaan, whose iniquity is mentioned as not yet complete, indicating a future judgment.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land promised to Abram's descendants, which they will inherit after a period of time.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_fourth_generation.htm">The Fourth Generation</a></b><br>Refers to the time frame in which Abram's descendants will return to Canaan, indicating a period of waiting and fulfillment of God's promise.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_covenant.htm">God's Covenant</a></b><br>The broader context of this passage is God's covenant with Abram, promising him numerous descendants and land.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_timing.htm">God's Sovereignty and Timing</a></b><br>God's plans unfold according to His perfect timing, even if it requires patience and waiting on our part.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_justice_of_god.htm">The Justice of God</a></b><br>God's delay in judgment on the Amorites shows His justice and patience, giving them time to repent.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_promises.htm">Faith in God's Promises</a></b><br>Like Abram, believers are called to trust in God's promises, even when fulfillment seems distant.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/generational_impact.htm">Generational Impact</a></b><br>Our actions and faith can have lasting impacts on future generations, as seen in the promise to Abram's descendants.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_patience.htm">Understanding God's Patience</a></b><br>Recognizing that God's patience with sin is an opportunity for repentance, both for individuals and nations.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_god_order_killings_in_the_ot.htm">Did God command killings in the Old Testament?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_command_violence_in_ot.htm">Why does God command violence in the Old Testament?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_sin_of_the_amorites.htm">What is the Sin of the Amorites?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_deut._2_34_just_and_merciful.htm">Deuteronomy 2:34 describes the total destruction of entire cities, including children; how can this be reconciled with a merciful and just God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">The fourth generation.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">dor. </span>(See Note on <a href="/genesis/6-9.htm" title="These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.">Genesis 6:9</a>.) As the four generations are identical with the four centuries of <a href="/genesis/15-13.htm" title="And he said to Abram, Know of a surety that your seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;">Genesis 15:13</a>, we have here an undesigned testimony to the long duration of human life. So Abram was 100 years old when Isaac was born, and Isaac was 60 at the birth of his children, and Jacob 64 years of age at his marriage. But the word <span class= "ital">dor </span>had probably come down from a remote antiquity, and, like the Latin word <span class= "ital">seculum, </span>signified a century.<p><span class= "bld">The iniquity of the Amorites.</span>--As the chief and leading tribe, they are used here for all the Canaanite nations. We learn from this declaration that the Canaanites were not extirpated by any wilful decree to make room for Israel, but as an act of justice, like that which, because of their moral depravity, overwhelmed the Sethites with a flood. So, subsequently, Israel and Judah had each to bear a punishment in accordance with their sinfulness; and so, throughout the history of the world, whenever nations settle down in vice and corruption, the decay of their institutions follows upon that of their morals, and they either waste away or give place to some more manly race of conquerors. The conquest of Canaan by Israel was parallel to that of the enervated Roman empire of the West by the Germans; only we see the preparation for it. and God's purpose explained; and we also see that if the Amorites had not made the scale of justice weigh down heavily, they would not have been deprived of their country.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But in the fourth generation</span>, - <span class="greek">τετάρτη δὲ γενεᾷ</span> (LXX.); but, more correctly, <span class="accented">the fourth generation</span>, calculating 100 years to a generation. "Caleb was the fourth from Judah, and Moses from Levi, and so doubtless many others" (Bush). Drs. Oort and Kuenen, reckoning four generations as a far shorter space of time than four centuries, detect a contradiction between this verse and Ver. 13, and an evidence of the free use which the ancient and uncritical Israelitish author made of his materials ('Bible for Young People,' vol. 1. p. 158). On the import of <span class="hebrew">דּור</span> <span class="accented">vide</span> <a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">Genesis 6:9</a> - <span class="cmt_word">they shall come hither again</span> (literally, <span class="accented">shall return hither</span>): <span class="cmt_word">for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full</span>. Literally, <span class="accented">for not completed the iniquity of the Amorites</span> (vide <a href="/genesis/14-7.htm">Genesis 14:7</a>; here put for the entire population! <span class="accented">until then</span> (the same word as "hither, which is its usual signification). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/15-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">In the fourth</span><br /><span class="heb">רְבִיעִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(rə·ḇî·‘î)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - ordinal masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7243.htm">Strong's 7243: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fourth, a fourth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">generation</span><br /><span class="heb">וְד֥וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḏō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1755.htm">Strong's 1755: </a> </span><span class="str2">A revolution of time, an age, generation, a dwelling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[your descendants] will return</span><br /><span class="heb">יָשׁ֣וּבוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·šū·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">here,</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֑נָּה</span> <span class="translit">(hên·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2008.htm">Strong's 2008: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hither, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֧י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the iniquity</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲוֺ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·wōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Amorites</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֱמֹרִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ĕ·mō·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_567.htm">Strong's 567: </a> </span><span class="str2">Amorites -- perhaps 'mountain dwellers', a Canaanite tribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">yet</span><br /><span class="heb">עַד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">complete.”</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁלֵ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(šā·lêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8003.htm">Strong's 8003: </a> </span><span class="str2">Complete, safe, at peace</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/15-16.htm">Genesis 15:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/15-16.htm">Genesis 15:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/15-16.htm">Genesis 15:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/15-16.htm">Genesis 15:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/15-16.htm">Genesis 15:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/15-16.htm">Genesis 15:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/15-16.htm">Genesis 15:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/15-16.htm">Genesis 15:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/15-16.htm">Genesis 15:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/15-16.htm">Genesis 15:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/15-16.htm">OT Law: Genesis 15:16 In the fourth generation they will come (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/15-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 15:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 15:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/15-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 15:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 15:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>