Genesis 18:13
New International Version
Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’

New Living Translation
Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’

English Standard Version
The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’

Berean Standard Bible
And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’

King James Bible
And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

New King James Version
And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’

New American Standard Bible
But the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I actually give birth to a child, when I am so old?’

NASB 1995
And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?’

NASB 1977
And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?’

Legacy Standard Bible
And Yahweh said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a son, when I am so old?’

Amplified Bible
And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh [to herself], saying, ‘Shall I really give birth [to a child] when I am so old?’

Christian Standard Bible
But the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Can I really have a baby when I’m old? ’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Can I really have a baby when I’m old?

American Standard Version
And Jehovah said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, who am old?

Contemporary English Version
The LORD asked Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh? Does she doubt that she can have a child in her old age?

English Revised Version
And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD asked Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Can I really have a child now that I'm old?'

Good News Translation
Then the LORD asked Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Can I really have a child when I am so old?'

International Standard Version
The LORD asked Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and think, 'Am I really going to bear a child, since I'm so old?'

Majority Standard Bible
And the LORD asked Abraham, ?Why did Sarah laugh and say, ?Can I really bear a child when I am old??

NET Bible
The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child when I am old?'

New Heart English Bible
God said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Will I really bear a child when I am old?'

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD said to Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I certainly bear a child, who am old?

World English Bible
Yahweh said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Will I really bear a child when I am old?’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And YHWH says to Abraham, “Why [is] this? Sarah has laughed, saying, Is it really true—I bear—and I am aged?

Young's Literal Translation
and Sarah laugheth in her heart, saying, 'After I have waxed old I have had pleasure! -- my lord also is old!'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will say to Abraham, For what did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall truly even I bring forth, and I have become old?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord said to Abraham: Why did Sera laugh, saying: Shall I who am an old woman bear a child indeed ?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the Lord said to Abraham: “Why did Sarah laugh, saying: ‘How can I, an old woman, actually give birth?’

New American Bible
But the LORD said to Abraham: “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really bear a child, old as I am?’

New Revised Standard Version
The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the LORD said to Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I truly bear a child, when I am so old?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH said to Abraham: “Why did Sara laugh and say, ‘Truly, shall I give birth when I am old?’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the LORD said unto Abraham: 'Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying: Shall I of a surety bear a child, who am old?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord said to Abraam, Why is it that Sarrha has laughed in herself, saying, Shall I then indeed bear? but I am grown old.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Sarah Laughs at the Promise
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?’ 14Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”…

Cross References
Luke 1:37
For no word from God will ever fail.”

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.

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

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?

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

Numbers 11:23
The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.”

Isaiah 46:10
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Psalm 115:3
Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.

Psalm 135:6
The LORD does all that pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and in all their depths.

Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,

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.”

Luke 18:27
But Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”


Treasury of Scripture

And the LORD said to Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

Wherefore.

John 2:25
And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

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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.














And the LORD said to Abraham
This phrase introduces the direct communication between God and Abraham, emphasizing the personal relationship and covenantal bond they share. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, which signifies His eternal presence and faithfulness. This divine interaction underscores the unique role of Abraham as the patriarch of faith, chosen to be the father of many nations. Historically, this moment is pivotal as it reflects God's intimate involvement in the lives of His chosen people, guiding and fulfilling His promises.

Why did Sarah laugh
The question posed by God highlights His omniscience, as He is aware of Sarah's internal reaction even though she laughed silently to herself. The Hebrew word for "laugh" is "tsachaq," which can denote both joy and disbelief. In this context, it reflects Sarah's incredulity and doubt regarding the promise of a child. This moment serves as a reminder of human frailty and the tendency to doubt God's promises when they seem impossible by human standards. It also sets the stage for God's demonstration of His power and faithfulness.

and say, 'Can I really bear a child
Sarah's question reveals her skepticism and the natural limitations she perceives. The phrase "Can I really" indicates a struggle with faith, a common human experience when faced with divine promises that defy natural laws. The Hebrew root for "bear" is "yalad," which means to bring forth or give birth. This highlights the miraculous nature of God's promise, as Sarah's ability to conceive at her age would require divine intervention. It serves as a testament to God's sovereignty over creation and His ability to bring life where it seems impossible.

when I am old?'
Sarah's reference to her age underscores the improbability of the promise from a human perspective. The Hebrew word for "old" is "zaqen," which denotes advanced age and the associated decline in physical capabilities. This detail emphasizes the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth, as it defies the natural order and showcases God's power to fulfill His promises regardless of human limitations. It also serves as a metaphor for spiritual renewal and the new beginnings that God can bring into the lives of those who trust in Him.

Verse 13. - And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, - a question which must have convinced Abraham of the Speaker's omniscience. Not only had he heard the silent, inaudible, inward cachinnation of Sarah's spirit, but he knew the tenor of her thoughts, and the purport of her dubitations - saying, Shall I of a surely bear a child, whilst (literally, and I) am old? Sarah s mental cogitations clearly showed that the temporary obscuration of her faith proceeded from a strong realization of the weakness of nature, which made conception and pregnancy impossible to one like her, who was advanced in years; and accordingly her attention, as well as that of her husband, was directed to the Divine omnipotence as the all-sufficient guarantee for the accomplishment of the promise.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

asked
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

Abraham,
אַבְרָהָ֑ם (’aḇ·rā·hām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

“Why
לָ֣מָּה (lām·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

did Sarah
שָׂרָ֜ה (śā·rāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8283: Sarah -- 'princess', a wife of Abraham

laugh
צָחֲקָ֨ה (ṣā·ḥă·qāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6711: To laugh outright, to sport

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

‘Can I really
הַאַ֥ף (ha·’ap̄)
Conjunction
Strong's 637: Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though

bear a child
אֵלֵ֖ד (’ê·lêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

when I am
וַאֲנִ֥י (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

old?’
זָקַֽנְתִּי׃ (zā·qan·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2204: To be or become old


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OT Law: Genesis 18:13 Yahweh said to Abraham Why did Sarah (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 18:12
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