Keraia
Genesis 15

Genesis 15:16

God Confirms His Promise · Genesis 15:8–21
Read Genesis 15

Translations

Modern
In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
Traditional
But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
Literal
And the fourth generation, they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite here is not yet complete.”
Latin
Generatione autem quarta revertentur huc: necdum enim completæ sunt iniquitates Amorrhæorum usque ad præsens tempus.

Original

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

Notes

Genesis 15:16

  • The reasons for Israel’s bondage included God’s justice. God would tolerate the sins of the Amorites until they fully deserved judgment.

  • is not yet complete: To give the promised land to Israel, God would justly remove those living in the land. Fulfilling promises to Israel also meant judgment for the people in the land. But if they trusted in him, God would save individual people (see Joshua 2:1–15; 6:23–25; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25). Until then, God would send Jacob's family to Egypt so Israel could become a great nation. Seeing this future frightened Abram (Genesis 15:12). But it was comforting to know nothing could stop God's plan.

Genesis 15:13–16

Not even 400 years of slavery could interfere with God’s plan to fulfill the covenant.

Genesis 15:7–21

In a special ceremony, God made a covenant with Abram and promised to do what he had said.

Genesis 15:1–21

God made a covenant (a special agreement) with Abram. In this covenant, God confirmed the promises he had made earlier when he summoned Abram to leave his country (12:1–3). Abram's descendants would experience a long period of slavery before God made these promises come true.

Parallels

Numbers 34:1–15 Romans 4:13–25

People

Amorites: Canaanite people group, enemies of Israel

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of Exodus Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Circumcision Covenant Curse, Cursed Deuteronomy, Book of Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Heir History of Israel Inheritance Joshua, Book of Land Mamre (Place) Nations Numbers and Numerology Patriarchs, Period of the Prayer Promise Torah

Topics

Abraham: Canaan Given To Amorites: Wickedness of Condescension of God: Enters Into Covenant with Abraham Covenant of Men with Men by offering a Sacrifice Covenants: Made by Passing Between the Pieces of the Divided Sacrifices God: Longsuffering of Holy Land: Original Inhabitants of, Expelled for Wickedness Probation: Amorites Sacrifices: The Covenants of God Confirmed By Sign: Asked for By, and Given to Abraham The Amorites: Character of Profane and Wicked The Amorites: Forbearance of God Towards The Covenant: Made With: Abraham Vision of Abraham: Concerning his Descendants