Does the four hundred years in Genesis 15 refer to affliction or sojourning?
According to the Genesis 15 prophecy, the four hundred years refers to the sojourning of Abraham's descendants in a land not theirs, not strictly the affliction. Although the verse says they would be afflicted, the period itself is identified as the sojourning, with affliction being part of that experience.
Les explains that in Genesis 15:13, God told Abraham his seed would be a stranger in a land not theirs, serve that people, and be afflicted four hundred years. Les clarifies that the four hundred years is the sojourning, not just necessarily the affliction, even though the verse certainly sounds that way. This prophecy came as God was deeding the Middle East to Abraham through the ancient rite of real estate transfer, and the land not theirs refers to Egypt.
And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;