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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] |
Bible Question: How long is a Biblical Generation ? |
Bible Answer: Generation has two meanings used in scripture. The most common meaning is all of the offspring at the same stage of descent from a common ancestor. For example, father, son, grandson, etc. are all different generations. It is not a specific period of time. The other meaning pertains to a group of individuals born and living about the same time. An example of both meanings can be found in Genesis 15:16 “Then in the fourth generation they will return here. . .” This is the promise God made to Abraham that his descendants would return to the promise land in the fourth generation from their arrival in Egypt. The first generation was the 70 Hebrews who arrived in Egypt with Jacob. These included fathers and sons, but were all counted as the first generation of those who arrived at the same time. It was their great grandchildren (4th generation) who arrived in the promise land. Moses and Aaron were 3rd generation, their children who actually entered into the promise land were 4th generation. Holmes |