Genesis 15:16 Meaning and Explanation
“But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God explains that the descendants will return to Canaan in the fourth generation when judgment on the current inhabitants is complete.
The Context of Genesis 15:16
God explains the delay of the conquest in terms of His judgment on the current inhabitants.
What Does Genesis 15:16 Mean?
God provides the reason for the long delay: the iniquity of the Amorites—the peoples currently inhabiting Canaan—is not yet full. This suggests a moral order in which peoples are measured for their own injustice and given time to repent or be judged. God's timetable for giving Canaan to Abram's descendants aligns with His judgment of those already there. It is not arbitrary but just.
The fourth generation places the return roughly four hundred years hence, connecting back to the previous prophecy. Abram's descendants will not be wandering without purpose; their time in exile will coincide with the ripening of judgment on the Canaanite nations. When that judgment falls and those nations are displaced, then Abram's seed will inherit the land, taking the place of those whose iniquity has become complete.
Genesis 15:16 in the Original Language
iniquity (עָוֹן), 'aven' — moral wrong or guilt that builds up and invokes judgment; the idea that nations accumulate sin until the measure is full.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 15:16
What does Genesis 15:16 mean?
God explains that the descendants will return to Canaan in the fourth generation when judgment on the current inhabitants is complete.
What is the context of Genesis 15:16?
God explains the delay of the conquest in terms of His judgment on the current inhabitants.