In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
Parallel translations
- WEB In the fourth generation they will come here again, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.”
- KJV But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
- NKJV But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
- NASB Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the wrongdoing of the Amorite is not yet complete.”
- NLT After four generations your descendants will return here to this land, for the sins of the Amorites do not yet warrant their destruction.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
In the fourth generation Abram's descendants would return, for the Amorites' sin was not yet complete. God's timing reflects His justice and patience.
Overview
The delay in possessing the land is tied to God's righteous patience: He waits until the Amorites' iniquity is full before judging them through Israel. This reveals that the conquest is an act of divine justice, not mere conquest, and that God is long-suffering toward sinners. His perfect timing in both judgment and promise displays His holiness and mercy.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- 1 Kgs 21:26He committed the most detestable acts by going after idols, just like the Amorites whom the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.)
- Dan 8:23In the latter part of their reign, when the rebellion has reached its full measure, an insolent king, skilled in intrigue, will come to the throne.
- Matt 23:32–35Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your fathers.
- Exod 12:40Now the duration of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt was 430 years.
- 1 Th 2:16hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them.
- 2 Pet 3:8–9Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
- Zech 5:5–11Then the angel who was speaking with me came forward and told me, “Now lift up your eyes and see what is approaching.”
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 15:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.