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NASB | Genesis 15:16 "Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 15:16 "Then in the fourth generation your descendants shall return here [to Canaan, the land of promise], for the wickedness and guilt of the Amorites is not yet complete (finished)." [Josh 24:15] |
Subject: How long is a Biblical Generation ? |
Bible Note: Hi Holmes, It ie when statements are made that is the crucial question. The statement in Gen 15 was made at least 500 years before the statement concerning the wilderness generation. It was made at a time of great longevity. Thus the view of a generation at that time was different. (If you look back you will find that Tim cited four recognised commentaries that agreed with me on this point:-)) ). With regard to genealogies it was a regular occurrence for only the important names to be given. But we can square Moses genealogy (four generations) with that of Joshua (eleven generations) in two ways, either by assuming a generation of 100 years for Moses, and 40 years for Joshua (Moses' family were long-lived), or by recognising that in Moses' genealogy only the important names were given. In the case of Paul's statement he was of course citing the four hundred and thirty years mentioned in Exodus 12.40. 'Now the sojourning of the children of Egypt who dwelt in Egypt was 430 years'. Taken naturally, that is a clear statement that the 430 years applies to the time of sojourning in Egypt, thus confirming what we have said about Gen 15. You will notice that Paul speaks of the period from the CONFIRMING (not the giving) of the covenant to the giving of the Law. The covenant was given to Abraham and confirmed continually to Isaac and Jacob. Thus the period of 430 years is from Jacob to Moses (which is the period in Egypt per Exodus 12.40). Paul was not giving a chronological table of dates. He was indicating that Scripture made clear that the Sinai covenant came at least 430 years after the confirming of the Abrahamic covenant because that was the length of time that they were in Egypt. Of course the Israelite were sojourners in Egypt. They never saw it as their home country. Joseph makes clear that even he expected them to return to the land of promise (Exod 50.24-25). It does not necessarily say that they would be oppressed for four hundred years, only that they would be in Egypt for four hundred years and at some stage be oppressed. God's people were sojourners in both Canaan and Egypt. But it was the time of their sojourning in Egypt that is stated twice to be 400 years. Why try to force a meaning on verses, when they are perfectly clear and reconcile without difficulty? Best wishes |