jim,
i suspect that the traditional reading of this phrase is wrong.
L) $LM (WNW does not mean here "he has not paid enough" but
rather "he is not culpable enough".
the entire phrase changes its meaning
drastically:
"so far i find not enough wrong with the emorites
(so as to expel them from the land)."
or
"only by that time (when the hebrews return after 4
generations) will i find enough wrong with the emorites
(so as to expel them from the land)."
in both versions, this gives a reason not why the emorites will be punished,
but quite the contrary, why they will be spared for four entire generations
(along with the other canaanite groups). and, indirectly and more i
mportantly (to abraham), why the returning hebrews will have to wait these
four generations.
nir cohen
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