Genesis 18:14

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Is anything too hard for ADONAI? At the time set for it, at this season next year, I will return to you; and Sarah will have a son."

Berean Standard Bible:

Is 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.”

American Standard Version:

Is anything too hard for Jehovah? At the set time I will return unto thee, when the season cometh round, and Sarah shall have a son.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Is^{H6381} any thing^{H1697} too hard^{H6381} for the LORD^{H3068}? At the time appointed^{H4150} I will return^{H7725} unto thee, according to the time^{H6256} of life^{H2416}, and Sarah^{H8283} shall have a son^{H1121}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 18:14

Genesis 18:14 is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of Abraham and Sarah, found within the broader context of the Abrahamic covenant. The themes present in this verse include:

1. **Divine Omnipotence**: The rhetorical question, "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?" emphasizes the belief in God's unlimited power and ability to fulfill promises, no matter how impossible they may seem from a human perspective.

2. **Promise of Progeny**: This verse is part of the promise to Abraham that he would have countless descendants, beginning with the birth of his son Isaac to his wife Sarah. This promise is central to the covenant between God and Abraham, which is foundational to Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.

3. **Fulfillment of Prophecy**: The statement "At the time appointed I will return unto thee" reaffirms God's intention to fulfill the promise at a specific time, underscoring the theme of divine timing and faithfulness to one's word.

4. **Faith and Doubt**: The verse follows Sarah's internal reaction of disbelief and laughter upon hearing the prophecy of her future motherhood, given her advanced age. This highlights the tension between faith in God's power and the natural doubts that arise from human limitations.

The historical context of this verse is set in the patriarchal era, where the promise of offspring was crucial for the continuation of a family line and the establishment of a nation. Abraham and Sarah were living in the land of Canaan, and this promise was a turning point in their lives, marking the beginning of the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham.

In summary, Genesis 18:14 encapsulates the themes of God's omnipotence, the promise of progeny, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the interplay between faith and doubt, all within the historical context of God's covenant with Abraham, which is foundational to the Abrahamic religions.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6381
   There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּלָא
   Transliteration: pâlâʼ
   Pronunciation: paw-law'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful; accomplish, (arise...too, be too) hard, hidden, things too high, (be, do, do a, shew) marvelous(-ly, -els, things, work), miracles, perform, separate, make singular, (be, great, make) wonderful(-ers, -ly, things, works), wondrous (things, works, -ly).
   
2. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4150
   There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוֹעֵד
   Transliteration: môwʻêd
   Pronunciation: mo-ade'
   Description: or מֹעֵד; or (feminine) מוֹעָדָה; (2 Chronicles 8:13), from יָעַד; properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally ayear; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand); appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed).
   
5. Strong's Number: H7725
   There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוּב
   Transliteration: shûwb
   Pronunciation: shoob
   Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6256
   There are 258 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵת
   Transliteration: ʻêth
   Pronunciation: ayth
   Description: from עַד; time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.; [phrase] after, (al-) ways, [idiom] certain, [phrase] continually, [phrase] evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-, noon-) tide, (meal-), what) time, when.
   
7. Strong's Number: H2416
   There are 452 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חַי
   Transliteration: chay
   Pronunciation: khah'-ee
   Description: from חָיָה; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively; [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.
   
8. Strong's Number: H8283
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׂרָה
   Transliteration: Sârâh
   Pronunciation: saw-raw'
   Description: the same as שָׂרָה; Sarah, Abraham's wife; Sarah.
   
9. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.