Genesis 15:16

KJV

But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites [is] not yet full.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 15:16 unveils a profound aspect of God's covenant with Abraham, revealing the divine rationale and timing for Israel's future inheritance of the Promised Land. It stipulates that Abraham's descendants would return to Canaan in the fourth generation, a delay precisely calibrated to the moral state of the land's current inhabitants, the Amorites. This verse powerfully illustrates God's sovereign patience, His meticulous justice, and the principle that divine judgment, though certain, is withheld until the cumulative wickedness of a people reaches its divinely appointed measure.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 15:16 is nestled within a pivotal chapter detailing God's covenant with Abraham, often referred to as the Abrahamic Covenant. Following Abraham's victory over the kings (Genesis 14), God appears to him in a vision, reaffirming His promises of a great reward, numerous descendants, and the inheritance of the land. The chapter begins with Abraham expressing concern about his heir and God's promise of a son from his own body (Genesis 15:1-6). The covenant is then formally ratified through a solemn, ancient ritual involving divided animals (Genesis 15:7-12). Amidst this profound encounter, God reveals a future period of affliction for Abraham's descendants in a foreign land for four hundred years (Genesis 15:13), followed by their triumphant return with great possessions (Genesis 15:14). Verse 16 specifically addresses the timing of their return to Canaan, providing the divine reason for the delay: the unripened state of the Amorites' iniquity. This verse acts as a crucial explanatory parenthetical, linking God's long-term plan for Israel to His righteous dealings with the existing Canaanite nations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Amorites were a prominent Semitic people group who inhabited Mesopotamia and later, during the time of Abraham, were a significant presence in the land of Canaan. They are often used in the Old Testament as a representative term for the various Canaanite tribes (e.g., Hittites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Hivites, Jebusites, etc.) who occupied the land promised to Abraham. Archaeologically and biblically, these Canaanite peoples were known for their polytheistic worship, often involving fertility cults, ritual prostitution, and, most abhorrently, child sacrifice to deities like Molech. Their societal practices were deeply entrenched in idolatry and moral depravity, which the Mosaic Law would later explicitly forbid for Israel (see [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Prohibited Sexual Relations and Abominations")). God's delay in dispossessing them, as stated in Genesis 15:16, reflects a divine principle of patience and justice, allowing a full measure of time for their wickedness to accumulate, or for them to potentially repent, before judgment was executed. This contrasts sharply with the immediate, often swift, judgments seen in other ancient Near Eastern narratives.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 15:16 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores God's **Sovereignty and Perfect Timing**, demonstrating that His plans unfold according to His precise schedule, not human impatience or immediate desires. The delay is not a lapse but a deliberate act within His divine strategy. Secondly, it highlights God's **Patience and Longsuffering**, revealing His reluctance to execute judgment even on deeply sinful nations, offering a prolonged period for repentance. This divine attribute is consistently displayed throughout Scripture, from the days of Noah (see [Genesis 6:3](/genesis/6-3 "Genesis 6:3 - God's Spirit Will Not Always Strive with Man")) to the New Testament's call for repentance before the day of judgment (see [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is Patient")). Thirdly, the verse establishes the principle of **Just and Righteous Judgment**, emphasizing that God's actions are never arbitrary. The "fullness of iniquity" implies a moral threshold, a point where persistent, unrepentant sin justly warrants divine intervention. This concept of accumulated sin leading to judgment is a recurring motif, for instance, in the warnings given to Israel themselves (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). Finally, it reinforces God's **Covenant Faithfulness**, assuring Abraham that despite the delay, the promise of the land would indeed be fulfilled, but only when the conditions for righteous judgment were met.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **generation (Hebrew, _dôwr'_):** From the root meaning "to revolve" or "turn," this term properly denotes a revolution of time, specifically an age or a generation. In this context, "fourth generation" signifies a significant period, often interpreted as approximately 100-120 years per generation, thus aligning with the earlier prophecy of [four hundred years of affliction](/genesis/15-13 "Genesis 15:13 - Prophecy of 400 Years of Affliction"). It emphasizes the long-term scope of God's plans and the passage of multiple human lifespans before the promise's fulfillment.
* **iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to twist" or "to bend," this word signifies perversity, moral evil, or guilt. It encompasses both the act of sin itself and the culpability or punishment that results from it. Here, it refers to the deep-seated moral corruption and wicked practices of the Amorites, which were an affront to God's righteousness and defiled the land they inhabited.
* **full (Hebrew, _shâlêm'_):** From the root meaning "to be complete" or "finished," this word implies a state of wholeness or completion. When applied to "iniquity," it conveys the idea of a measure of sin that has reached its divinely determined limit or saturation point. It suggests that God, in His patience, allows wickedness to accumulate until it reaches a threshold where judgment becomes not only necessary but also perfectly just and warranted.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again:"** This clause specifies the timing of Israel's return to Canaan. The "fourth generation" is a prophetic indicator, likely referring to a period of approximately 400 years, consistent with [Genesis 15:13](/genesis/15-13 "Genesis 15:13 - Prophecy of 400 Years of Affliction"), during which Abraham's descendants would be sojourners and afflicted in a foreign land (Egypt). "Hither again" points to their return to the Promised Land, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His covenant despite the intervening centuries and their enslavement.
* **"for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full."** This is the divine explanation and justification for the delay. God's plan for Israel's inheritance is intricately linked to His dealings with the existing inhabitants. The "iniquity of the Amorites" refers to their profound moral corruption, idolatry, and abominable practices. The phrase "is not yet full" signifies that their collective wickedness had not yet reached the divinely determined measure or threshold that would necessitate their expulsion and judgment. This reveals God's immense patience and His righteous reluctance to execute judgment prematurely, allowing time for repentance, even for those deeply steeped in sin.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 15:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Divine Foreshadowing**, where God reveals a future event and its precise timing, demonstrating His omniscient control over history. The phrase "fourth generation" serves as a specific, albeit broad, prophetic marker. Furthermore, the concept of "the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full" utilizes a powerful **Metaphor** of a container or measure that is slowly being filled. While not explicitly stated as a "cup," the imagery implies a quantitative accumulation of sin, suggesting a threshold beyond which divine judgment becomes inevitable. This **Anthropomorphism** (attributing human-like actions or states to God, in this case, God "waiting" for a condition to be met) underscores God's deliberate and just approach to judgment, contrasting with arbitrary or impulsive action. Finally, there is an implicit **Contrast** between God's steadfast covenant faithfulness to Abraham and the Amorites' escalating unfaithfulness, which ultimately leads to their dispossession.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 15:16 profoundly illustrates God's character, revealing His patient justice and sovereign control over history. It teaches that divine judgment is not arbitrary or hasty, but a righteous response to persistent, unrepentant sin that reaches a divinely determined "fullness." This concept underscores God's longsuffering, offering ample opportunity for repentance even to those deeply entrenched in wickedness, while simultaneously affirming that there is a limit to His forbearance before consequences are enacted. The verse also highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, demonstrating that even delays are part of His perfect plan, ensuring that His people inherit their blessing at the precise, righteous moment.

* [Leviticus 18:24-28](/leviticus/18-24-28 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - Abominations of the Canaanites") - This passage details the specific abominations of the Canaanites that defiled the land, causing it to "vomit out" its inhabitants, providing the context for the "fullness of iniquity" mentioned in Genesis 15:16.
* [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord's Patience Before His Return") - This New Testament verse echoes the theme of God's patience, stating that the Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, but is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance, reflecting the same divine longsuffering seen with the Amorites.
* [Daniel 8:23](/daniel/8-23 "Daniel 8:23 - King of Fierce Countenance") - This verse, speaking of a future wicked king, uses similar language: "when the transgressors have reached their limit," indicating a recurring biblical principle of a "fullness of sin" preceding judgment.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 15:16 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It challenges our often-impatient human perspective, reminding us that God operates on a grand, divine timetable that extends far beyond our immediate desires or understanding. When we witness persistent evil in the world, or experience delays in the fulfillment of God's promises in our own lives, this verse calls us to trust in His perfect timing and sovereign plan. It assures us that God sees the full picture, and His actions are always just, wise, and perfectly timed. Furthermore, the concept of "the iniquity... not yet full" serves as a sobering reminder of the cumulative nature of sin. Persistent, unrepentant wickedness, whether individual or societal, has consequences that will eventually reach a tipping point, necessitating divine intervention. This should stir us to both personal repentance and a fervent prayer for societal transformation. Yet, it simultaneously highlights God's immense patience, offering a profound hope: there is always time for repentance, a turning away from wickedness, before the full measure of judgment is enacted. This should motivate us to extend grace and share the gospel, knowing that God's longsuffering offers opportunity for all to turn to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's patience with the Amorites impact your perspective on delays in God's promises in your own life or in the world?**
* **What does the concept of "the iniquity... not yet full" teach us about the nature of sin and its consequences, both individually and corporately?**
* **In what ways does this verse encourage you to trust God's justice and sovereignty, even when His timing seems slow or incomprehensible to you?**
* **How might the Amorites' story serve as a warning for us today regarding the dangers of persistent, unrepentant sin?**

### FAQ

**Why did God wait for the Amorites' iniquity to be "full" before allowing Israel to inherit the land?**

Answer: God waited to demonstrate His perfect justice and immense patience. He does not act impulsively or arbitrarily. The delay allowed the Amorites ample time—centuries, in fact—to repent and turn from their wicked ways. Their continued, unrepentant sin, which included practices like child sacrifice, severe sexual immorality, and idolatry (as detailed in [Leviticus 18:24-28](/leviticus/18-24-28 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - Abominations of the Canaanites")), accumulated over generations until it reached a point where divine judgment was justly warranted. This period of waiting underscores God's reluctance to punish and His desire for all to come to repentance, even as it affirms His righteous character in executing judgment when a moral threshold is crossed.

**Does "iniquity... not yet full" imply there is a limit to God's patience?**

Answer: Yes, in a sense, it implies a limit to His patience before enacting judgment, but not a limit to His *capacity* for patience. God's patience is immense and longsuffering, always offering opportunity for repentance. However, there comes a point where persistent, unrepentant sin, which defiles the land and violates His moral order, reaches a full measure, necessitating divine intervention and judgment. This is not because God's patience "runs out" in a human sense, but because His justice and holiness demand a response to unceasing wickedness. It highlights that while God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, He is also righteous and will ultimately hold all accountable for their actions. This principle is consistent throughout Scripture, as seen in passages like [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is Patient").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 15:16 directly concerns the judgment of the Amorites and the timing of Israel's inheritance, it finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. First, the concept of God's patience in waiting for the "fullness of iniquity" before judgment is perfectly mirrored in Christ's first coming. God's ultimate act of longsuffering was sending His Son, not to condemn the world, but to save it (see [John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Did Not Send His Son to Condemn the World")). Through Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, the "cup of iniquity" for all who believe is emptied, and the righteous judgment due to humanity's sin is poured out upon Him. This demonstrates that God's desire is for salvation, not destruction, providing a way for humanity to escape the ultimate "fullness of in iniquity" that would otherwise lead to eternal condemnation. Second, the "fourth generation" and the "fullness of time" concept finds its ultimate expression in Christ's advent. [Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - God Sent His Son in the Fullness of Time") declares that "when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son," indicating God's perfect, sovereign timing in dealing with the root of all human iniquity through the Incarnation. Finally, just as God waited for the Amorites' iniquity to be full before their dispossession, Christ's second coming will mark the ultimate "fullness of time" for final judgment upon all unrighteousness (see [Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God Has Fixed a Day of Judgment")), and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, where righteousness dwells, fulfilling the ultimate promise of a land and a people under God's perfect, unblemished rule (see [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.