Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does 'the iniquity of the Emori is not yet full' mean in Genesis 15:16?
A: According to Rashi and other Jewish commentaries, this means that the Emorite nation (Canaanites) had not yet reached the full measure of their sins, which would justify their expulsion from the land. Hashem delays giving the land to Avraham's descendants until the Emorites' wickedness reaches its peak, showing Divine justice.
Q: Why did the Israelites have to wait four generations to inherit the land?
A: The Ramban explains that the four generations correspond to the time needed for the Emorites to complete their corruption. Additionally, the Midrash teaches that this delay allowed Avraham's descendants to grow into a large nation worthy of inheriting the land, fulfilling Hashem's promise in His perfect timing.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 15:16 about Divine justice?
A: The verse teaches that Hashem does not punish nations prematurely. As the Talmud (Sanhedrin 96b) discusses, even when a nation is sinful, Hashem waits until their sins reach a tipping point before executing judgment. This shows both Divine patience and perfect justice in world events.
Q: How does the concept of 'four generations' apply to our lives today?
A: The Sages derive from this that spiritual processes often unfold gradually over generations. Just as the Israelites' redemption required patience, our personal growth and national redemption may follow Hashem's timeline rather than our own expectations, as emphasized in Jewish thought about redemption.
Q: Who were the Emorites mentioned in Genesis 15:16?
A: The Emorites (or Amorites) were one of the seven Canaanite nations inhabiting the land promised to Avraham. According to Jewish tradition, they were particularly immoral, practicing idolatry and cruelty. The Torah later commands their displacement when their sins reached full measure, as foretold in this verse.
Context in Bereishit (Genesis 15:16)
This verse appears in Hashem's covenant with Avraham (the "Brit Bein HaBetarim"), where He foretells the exile and eventual return of Avraham's descendants. The "fourth generation" refers to the descendants who would leave Egypt and enter Eretz Yisrael (Rashi on Bereishit 15:16).
The Meaning of "Iniquity of the Emori"
The "iniquity of the Emori" refers to the sins of the Canaanite nations inhabiting the land. According to Ramban (Bereishit 15:16), Hashem delays granting the land to Avraham's descendants until the Canaanites' sins reach a measure deserving of expulsion—a principle of divine justice known as "middah keneged middah" (measure for measure).
Why the Fourth Generation?
Divine Justice and the Measure of Sin
The Talmud (Sanhedrin 96b) elaborates that the Emorites were given ample opportunity to repent, but their persistent idolatry and immorality (as described in Vayikra 18:24-28) ultimately justified their expulsion. This aligns with the principle that Hashem does not punish a nation until their sins are "full" (complete and irredeemable).
Connection to Later Events
This prophecy is fulfilled in Sefer Yehoshua, where Bnei Yisrael conquer the land after the Egyptian exile. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 44:12) notes that the "four generations" also parallel the four exiles (Egyptian, Babylonian, Greek, and Roman/Edomite), with a promise of ultimate redemption.