King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites [is] not yet full.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Only in the fourth generation will your descendants come back here, because only then will the Emori be ripe for punishment."
Berean Standard Bible:
In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
American Standard Version:
And in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
But in the fourth{H7243} generation{H1755} they shall come hither{H2008} again{H7725}: for the iniquity{H5771} of the Amorites{H567} is not yet{H2008} full{H8003}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Kings 21:26
- And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all [things] as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
Daniel 8:23
- 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.
Matthew 23:32
- Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
Matthew 23:35
- That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
1 Thessalonians 2:16
- Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
Exodus 12:40
- Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, [was] four hundred and thirty years.
2 Peter 3:8
- ¶ But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 15:16
Genesis 15:16 is part of a larger narrative where God is making a covenant with Abram (later known as Abraham). This particular verse is situated within God's promise to give Abram's descendants the land of Canaan.
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Timing:** The verse reflects the theme of God's timing, indicating that Abram's descendants will return to Canaan in the fourth generation, after the sins of the Amorites have reached their full measure.
2. **Judgment and Justice:** It suggests that the Amorites, who currently inhabit the land, are being given time to repent, but their eventual expulsion is inevitable due to their accumulating iniquity.
3. **Covenant Promises:** This verse is part of the Abrahamic covenant, which includes the promise of land, descendants, and blessings. It reassures Abram that the promise will be fulfilled, albeit in the future.
**Historical Context:**
- **Patriarchal Period:** This event occurs during the time of the patriarchs, roughly in the second millennium BCE, when Abram was journeying in the land of Canaan.
- **Amorites:** The Amorites were a Semitic people who inhabited parts of the ancient Near East, including Canaan. They were known for their urbanized city-states and were one of the groups that the Israelites would later displace in the conquest of Canaan as described in the book of Joshua.
- **Canaan:** The land promised to Abram and his descendants, which at this time was populated by various nations, including the Amorites.
In summary, Genesis 15:16 is a prophetic statement within the context of God's covenant with Abram, foretelling the future possession of Canaan by Abram's descendants after the Amorites' sinfulness has peaked, thus demonstrating divine judgment and the fulfillment of promises in God's timing.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7243
There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רְבִיעִי
Transliteration: rᵉbîyʻîy
Pronunciation: reb-ee-ee'
Description: or רְבִעִי; from רָבַע; fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth; foursquare, fourth (part). - Strong's Number: H1755
There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דּוֹר
Transliteration: dôwr
Pronunciation: dore
Description: or (shortened) דֹּר; from דּוּר; properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling; age, [idiom] evermore, generation, (n-) ever, posterity. - Strong's Number: H2008
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הֵנָּה
Transliteration: hênnâh
Pronunciation: hane'-naw
Description: from הֵן; hither or thither (but used both of place and time); here, hither(-to), now, on this (that) side, [phrase] since, this (that) way, thitherward, [phrase] thus far, to...fro, [phrase] yet. - Strong's Number: H7725
There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׁוּב
Transliteration: shûwb
Pronunciation: shoob
Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. - Strong's Number: H5771
There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָוֺן
Transliteration: ʻâvôn
Pronunciation: aw-vone'
Description: or עָווֹן; (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5 (אֲבַד)), from עָוָה; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil; fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin. - Strong's Number: H567
There are 715 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱמֹרִי
Transliteration: ʼĔmôrîy
Pronunciation: em-o-ree'
Description: probably a patronymic from an unused name derived from אָמַר in the sense of publicity, i.e. prominence; thus, a mountaineer; an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes; Amorite. - Strong's Number: H8003
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלֵם
Transliteration: shâlêm
Pronunciation: shaw-lame'
Description: from שָׁלַם; complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly; full, just, made ready, peaceable, perfect(-ed), quiet, Shalem (by mistake for a name), whole.