Genesis 15:16

In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — God addresses Abram after promising numerous descendants and receiving the covenant sign of divided animals. The declaration occurs between Abram’s predicted peaceful death and the vision of the smoking firepot and flaming torch passing between the carcasses.

The words — עֲוֹן ('a.Von) means iniquity, and שָׁלֵם (sha.Lem) means complete. The text states the Amorites’ iniquity has not yet reached its full measure, which delays the promised return.

The thread — The pattern of waiting until moral corruption reaches its limit runs through Daniel 8:23 and aligns with the extended Egyptian sojourn recorded in Exodus 12:40. The Amorites’ sin is later linked to the detestable idolatry condemned in 1 Kings 21:26.

Why it lands — It requires the reader to recognize that divine timing follows moral completion rather than human chronology. It demands acceptance that promised fulfillment is contingent on God’s measured assessment of wickedness.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְד֥וֹרve./Dorand/ [the] generation רְבִיעִ֖יre.vi.'Ifourth יָשׁ֣וּבוּya.Shu.vuthey will return הֵ֑נָּהHe.nahhither כִּ֧יkifor לֹא־lo'-not שָׁלֵ֛םsha.Lem[is] complete עֲוֹ֥ן'a.Von[the] iniquity of הָאֱמֹרִ֖יha./'e.mo.Rithe/ Amorite[s]עַד־'ad-until הֵֽנָּה׃He.nahnow

King James Version

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

Cross-references

1 Kings 21:26 He committed the most detestable acts by going after idols, just like the Amorites whom the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.)
Daniel 8:23 In 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.
Exodus 12:40 Now the duration of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt was 430 years.
Matthew 23:32 Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your fathers.
1 Thessalonians 2:16 hindering 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 Peter 3:8 Beloved, 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.
Zechariah 5:5 Then the angel who was speaking with me came forward and told me, “Now lift up your eyes and see what is approaching.”