Genesis 18:12
New International Version
So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

New Living Translation
So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?”

English Standard Version
So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?”

Berean Standard Bible
So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

King James Bible
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

New King James Version
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”

New American Standard Bible
So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have become old, am I to have pleasure, my lord being old also?”

NASB 1995
Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”

NASB 1977
And Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”

Amplified Bible
So Sarah laughed to herself [when she heard the LORD’S words], saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure and delight, my lord (husband) being also old?”

Christian Standard Bible
So she laughed to herself: “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I have delight? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So she laughed to herself: “After I have become shriveled up and my lord is old, will I have delight?”

American Standard Version
And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

Contemporary English Version
So she laughed and said to herself, "Now that I am worn out and my husband is old, will I really know such happiness?"

English Revised Version
And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
And so Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, "Now that I've become old, will I enjoy myself again? What's more, my husband is old!"

Good News Translation
So Sarah laughed to herself and said, "Now that I am old and worn out, can I still enjoy sex? And besides, my husband is old too."

International Standard Version
That's why Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, "After I'm so old and my husband is old, too, am I going to have sex?"

Majority Standard Bible
So she laughed to herself, saying, ?After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure??

NET Bible
So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, "After I am worn out will I have pleasure, especially when my husband is old too?"

New Heart English Bible
Sarah laughed within herself, saying, "After I have grown old will I have pleasure, my husband being old also?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am become old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

World English Bible
Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old will I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Sarah laughs in her heart, saying, “After I have waxed old have I had pleasure? My lord [is] also old!”

Young's Literal Translation
and Abraham and Sarah are aged, entering into days -- the way of women hath ceased to be to Sarah;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Sarah will laugh within her, saying, After it has not been to me till now, and my lord, being old.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And she laughed secretly, saying: After I am grown old, and my lord is an old man, shall I give myself to pleasure?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And she laughed secretly, saying, “After I have grown old, and my lord is elderly, shall I give myself to the work of delight?”

New American Bible
So Sarah laughed to herself and said, “Now that I am worn out and my husband is old, am I still to have sexual pleasure?”

New Revised Standard Version
So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am grown old, shall I renew my youth, my lord being old also?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Sara laughed in her heart and she said, “After I am worn out will I have youth, and my Lord is old?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Sarah laughed within herself, saying: 'After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Sarrha laughed in herself, saying, The thing has not as yet happened to me, even until now, and my lord is old.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Sarah Laughs at the Promise
11And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” 13And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’…

Cross References
Hebrews 11:11
By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised.

Romans 4:19-21
Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. / Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, / being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.

Luke 1:18
“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

Luke 1:34
“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

1 Peter 3:6
just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear.

Romans 9:9
For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

Galatians 4:22-23
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Mark 10:27
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

Job 42:2
“I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.

Jeremiah 32:17
“Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!

Jeremiah 32:27
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?

Isaiah 54:1
“Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.

Psalm 37:13
but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming.

Psalm 126:2
Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

laughed.

Genesis 18:13
And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

Genesis 17:17
Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

Genesis 21:6,7
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me…

my.

Ephesians 5:33
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

1 Peter 3:6
Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Jump to Previous
Abraham Aged Ceased Entering Grown Herself Husband Laughed Master Pleasure Sarah Thought Used Waxed Way Within Women Worn
Jump to Next
Abraham Aged Ceased Entering Grown Herself Husband Laughed Master Pleasure Sarah Thought Used Waxed Way Within Women Worn
Genesis 18
1. The Lord appears to Abraham, who entertains angels.
9. Sarah is reproved for laughing at the promise of a son.
16. The destruction of Sodom is revealed to Abraham.
23. Abraham makes intercession for its inhabitants.














So she laughed to herself
Sarah's laughter is an internal reaction, indicating disbelief or skepticism. This moment occurs after the Lord promises Abraham that Sarah will bear a son. Her laughter reflects a common human response to seemingly impossible promises. In biblical context, laughter often signifies doubt or surprise, as seen in other instances like Genesis 17:17, where Abraham also laughs at the promise of a son. This internal laughter contrasts with the joy and fulfillment that comes later when the promise is fulfilled with the birth of Isaac, whose name means "he laughs."

saying, “After I am worn out
Sarah refers to her advanced age and the physical decline associated with it. At this point, she is around 90 years old, well past the typical childbearing age. This phrase highlights the human perspective of limitations and the natural impossibility of the situation. It underscores the miraculous nature of God's promise, as He often works beyond human limitations to fulfill His purposes, as seen in other biblical narratives like the birth of John the Baptist to Elizabeth in Luke 1.

and my master is old
Sarah refers to Abraham as "my master," reflecting the cultural norms of respect and hierarchy within marriage during that time. Abraham is about 100 years old, further emphasizing the improbability of the promise from a human standpoint. This phrase also points to the patriarchal structure of ancient Near Eastern societies, where the husband was the head of the household. The use of "master" aligns with 1 Peter 3:6, where Sarah's respect for Abraham is commended.

will I now have this pleasure?”
The "pleasure" Sarah refers to is the joy and fulfillment of bearing a child, a significant desire and honor for women in ancient cultures. Childbearing was often seen as a woman's primary role and a source of social status. This question reflects her doubt and surprise at the possibility of experiencing such joy at her age. The fulfillment of this promise is a testament to God's faithfulness and power, as He brings joy and fulfillment in unexpected ways, foreshadowing the joy of salvation and the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, who brings ultimate fulfillment and joy to humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Sarah
The wife of Abraham, who is advanced in age and has been barren. Her laughter reflects disbelief and skepticism about God's promise of a son.

2. Abraham
Sarah's husband, who has been promised by God to be the father of many nations. He is also advanced in age.

3. The LORD
The divine visitor who, along with two angels, visits Abraham and reiterates the promise of a son to him and Sarah.

4. Tent
The setting where Sarah overhears the conversation between Abraham and the visitors, leading to her internal reaction.

5. Promise of Isaac
The event where God reaffirms His promise to Abraham that Sarah will bear a son, despite their old age.
Teaching Points
Faith in God's Promises
Despite human limitations and circumstances, God's promises remain true. Sarah's initial disbelief is a reminder to trust in God's timing and power.

God's Patience and Understanding
God understands our doubts and fears. Sarah's laughter did not disqualify her from God's promise, showing His patience and grace.

The Power of God's Word
When God speaks, His word is powerful and effective. Sarah's laughter turned into joy when God's promise was fulfilled with the birth of Isaac.

Transformation through Faith
Sarah's journey from doubt to faith is an encouragement that God can transform our skepticism into belief and trust.

The Importance of Listening to God
Sarah overheard the promise and initially doubted. Actively listening to God's word can strengthen our faith and understanding.(12) Sarah laughed.--See Note on Genesis 17:17. The laughter of both husband and wife brings into prominence the inconceivable character of the fact. Sarah's conduct has been very unjustly condemned. Though Abraham may have begun to guess that his visitors were more than men, she probably had no such suspicions. Sitting inside the tent, and catching their words only occasionally, listening, perhaps, now only because she heard her own name mentioned, when she hears them talk of her having a child she naturally laughs. thinking possibly that they did not know how old she was.

After I am waxed old.--The Hebrew word is stronger and more lively. It means "to be worn out like an old garment."

Verse 12. - Therefore (literally, and) Sarah laughed within herself - Abraham had laughed in joyful amazement, (Genesis 18:17) at the first mention of Sarah s son; Sarah laughs, if not in unbelief (Calvin, Keil, 'Speaker's Commentary,' Wordsworth), at least with a mingled feeling of doubt and delight (Lange, Murphy) at the announcement of her approaching maternity - saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? - literally, and my lord, i.e. my husband, is old. The reverential submission to Abraham which Sarah here displays is in the New Testament commended as a pattern to Christian wives (1 Peter 3:6).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So [she]
שָׂרָ֖ה (śā·rāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8283: Sarah -- 'princess', a wife of Abraham

laughed
וַתִּצְחַ֥ק (wat·tiṣ·ḥaq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6711: To laugh outright, to sport

to herself,
בְּקִרְבָּ֣הּ (bə·qir·bāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

saying,
לֵאמֹ֑ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“After
אַחֲרֵ֤י (’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

I am worn out
בְלֹתִי֙ (ḇə·lō·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1086: To fail, to wear out, decay

and my master
וַֽאדֹנִ֖י (wa·ḏō·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

is old,
זָקֵֽן׃ (zā·qên)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2204: To be or become old

will I now have
הָֽיְתָה־ (hā·yə·ṯāh-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

this pleasure?”
עֶדְנָ֔ה (‘eḏ·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5730: A luxury, dainty, delight


Links
Genesis 18:12 NIV
Genesis 18:12 NLT
Genesis 18:12 ESV
Genesis 18:12 NASB
Genesis 18:12 KJV

Genesis 18:12 BibleApps.com
Genesis 18:12 Biblia Paralela
Genesis 18:12 Chinese Bible
Genesis 18:12 French Bible
Genesis 18:12 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Genesis 18:12 Sarah laughed within herself saying After (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 18:11
Top of Page
Top of Page