Genesis 18:13

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Abraham {H85}, Wherefore {H4100} did Sarah {H8283} laugh {H6711}, saying {H559}, Shall I of a surety {H552} bear {H3205} a child, which {H589} am old {H2204}?

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI said to Avraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and ask, 'Am I really going to bear a child when I am so 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?’

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 18:13 profoundly captures the LORD's direct, omniscient confrontation of Sarah's private skepticism regarding the miraculous promise of a son. This pivotal interaction unveils God's intimate knowledge of human hearts and thoughts, simultaneously reaffirming the absolute certainty of His divine promises, even when they defy human logic and perceived impossibilities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a highly significant narrative in Genesis 18, immediately following the extraordinary announcement by one of three mysterious divine visitors that Abraham and Sarah, despite their advanced age, would miraculously conceive a son within a year. Sarah, hidden within the tent, overhears this incredible prophecy and [laughs inwardly](/genesis/18-12 "Genesis 18:12 - Sarah's Inward Laughter"), finding the prospect biologically impossible given her own and Abraham's advanced years—Abraham being [a hundred years old](/genesis/17-17 "Genesis 17:17 - Abraham's Reaction to the Promise") and Sarah ninety. The LORD, one of the visitors, then directly addresses Abraham, demonstrating His absolute knowledge of Sarah's private thought and gently challenging her doubt, setting the stage for the powerful rhetorical question in [Genesis 18:14](/genesis/18-14 "Genesis 18:14 - Is Anything Too Hard for the LORD?").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, hospitality was a sacred duty, and the narrative begins with Abraham eagerly extending lavish hospitality to these unknown visitors. The promise of a child, particularly a male heir, was paramount for family lineage, social standing, and the continuation of the covenant. Barrenness was often seen as a curse or a sign of divine displeasure, making Sarah's long-standing inability to conceive a source of deep personal anguish and societal shame. The concept of bearing a child in old age was considered a biological impossibility, underscoring the miraculous nature of God's intervention. Furthermore, the patriarchal structure meant that God's address to Abraham, as the head of the household, was culturally appropriate, even though the question directly concerned Sarah's private thoughts.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 18:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost among these is God's **Omniscience**, powerfully demonstrated by His knowledge of Sarah's hidden thoughts, transcending physical barriers and human secrecy. It also highlights the theme of **Divine Promise and Faithfulness**, as God's word stands firm despite human skepticism and the apparent impossibility of the situation. The narrative also explores the tension between **Human Doubt and Divine Power**, as Sarah's laughter embodies the natural human struggle to reconcile God's boundless power with perceived natural limitations. This verse also introduces the significant **Laughter Motif**, which will culminate in the naming of their miraculously born son, Isaac, whose name literally means "he laughs" or "laughter," transforming Sarah's laughter of disbelief into laughter of joy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God, H3068, emphasizing His self-existent, eternal nature. The use of "LORD" here signifies that the divine visitor speaking to Abraham is none other than the God of the covenant, the one who is utterly faithful to His promises and possesses all power to fulfill them. His identity as _Yᵉhôvâh_ underscores the absolute authority and certainty behind His inquiry and the subsequent reaffirmation of His promise.
* **laugh (Hebrew, _tsâchaq'_):** Derived from H6711, this verb means "to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn)" or by implication, "to sport." In this context, Sarah's laughter is clearly one of disbelief, bordering on scorn or cynical amusement, at the seemingly absurd proposition of bearing a child in her old age. This word is profoundly significant as it directly foreshadows the name of the promised son, Isaac (Yitzchak), which means "he laughs" or "laughter," illustrating how God transforms human skepticism into divine joy and fulfillment.
* **old (Hebrew, _zâqên'_):** From H2204, meaning "to be old" or "aged." This word highlights the central human obstacle to the divine promise. Sarah's self-identification as "old" underscores the biological reality that made conception naturally impossible for her. Her age represents the human limitation against which God's omnipotence is about to be powerfully contrasted, emphasizing that God's power transcends all natural boundaries.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto Abraham,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine initiative and the direct nature of God's engagement. It signifies that God is not merely observing but actively participating in the human drama, initiating a conversation that reveals His omniscience. The address to Abraham, rather than directly to Sarah, respects the patriarchal customs of the time while still ensuring Sarah, overhearing, receives the message.
* **"Wherefore did Sarah laugh,"**: This is the core of the divine inquiry. God's question is not born of ignorance but of perfect knowledge. It is a rhetorical question designed to expose Sarah's hidden thought and bring it into the light, demonstrating that no human thought or emotion is concealed from Him. Her laughter was not one of joy or amusement, but of disbelief and perhaps a touch of cynical amusement at the absurdity of the promise from a human perspective.
* **"saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?"**: This phrase articulates the very reasoning behind Sarah's laughter, revealing her internal monologue (H559, _ʼâmar_, "saying"). The phrase "of a surety" (H552, _ʼumnâm_, "in (very) deed") emphasizes the certainty of the promise being questioned. Her rhetorical question, "Shall I... bear a child, which am old?" (H3205, _yâlad_, "bear young"; H2204, _zâqên_, "old"), expresses deep-seated skepticism rooted in the biological realities of her advanced age. This human perspective stands in stark contrast to the divine power that is about to be asserted in the subsequent verse, [Genesis 18:14](/genesis/18-14 "Genesis 18:14 - Is Anything Too Hard for the LORD?"), "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?"

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 18:13 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Omniscience**, as God's question directly reveals His knowledge of Sarah's private, unspoken thoughts and actions (her inward laughter). This serves to underscore His divine nature and authority. There is also profound **Irony** in Sarah's laughter of disbelief, which will ultimately be transformed into the name of her son, Isaac, meaning "he laughs." This creates a powerful **Foreshadowing** of the joy that will replace her skepticism. The question itself, "Wherefore did Sarah laugh...?", functions as a **Rhetorical Question**, not seeking information but rather prompting reflection and challenging Sarah's (and Abraham's) lack of faith in God's omnipotence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 18:13 is a foundational passage for understanding God's character and His interaction with humanity. It powerfully demonstrates God's infinite knowledge, extending even to the most private thoughts and hidden emotions of the human heart, regardless of physical distance or secrecy. This divine omniscience is not merely an attribute but an active force, used here to gently, yet firmly, confront human doubt. Despite Sarah's skepticism and the apparent biological impossibility of the situation, God's promise remains steadfast and certain, highlighting His unwavering faithfulness. Sarah's laughter embodies the common human struggle to reconcile God's boundless power with perceived human limitations and natural laws. God's gracious, yet direct, engagement serves to challenge this unbelief and invite a deeper trust, demonstrating that His plans are not constrained by human understanding or capability.

* [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalms/139-1-4 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience and Intimate Knowledge")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Are Naked and Open Before God")
* [Jeremiah 32:17](/jeremiah/32-17 "Jeremiah 32:17 - Nothing is Too Hard for God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 18:13 offers profound lessons for believers today, encouraging us to trust in God's ability to accomplish the humanly impossible. Just as Sarah struggled to reconcile God's promise with her natural limitations, we often face situations where divine plans seem contrary to our understanding, our circumstances, or even the laws of nature. This passage reminds us that God knows our innermost thoughts, doubts, and struggles, and He graciously engages with them, inviting us to move beyond our limited perspectives and embrace the truth of His word. We are called to exercise faith over sight, knowing that [He who promised is faithful](/hebrews/11-11 "Hebrews 11:11 - Sarah's Faith and Strength to Conceive") and that His declarations will always be performed, regardless of our perceived impossibilities. Our doubts, though known to God, are met not with condemnation but with an invitation to deeper faith and a powerful reminder of His limitless power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "impossible" promises or situations in your life are you struggling to believe God for?**
* **How does God's omniscience, as demonstrated in this verse, comfort or challenge you regarding your own private thoughts and doubts?**
* **In what ways might your "laughter of disbelief" be transformed into "laughter of joy" as you witness God's faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Why did God ask Abraham about Sarah's laughter instead of Sarah directly?**

Answer: While God certainly could have addressed Sarah directly, His decision to speak to Abraham, the head of the household, aligns with the cultural and patriarchal norms of the time. This approach allowed Sarah to overhear the divine word through her husband, potentially softening the direct confrontation and preserving her dignity, while still ensuring the message of God's omniscience and the certainty of His promise was clearly conveyed to both of them. It also highlights the unity of the covenant relationship with Abraham and his household.

**Was Sarah's laughter a sin of unbelief?**

Answer: Sarah's laughter stemmed from human doubt and the natural difficulty of believing something so contrary to her life experience and biological reality. While it indicated a momentary lack of immediate faith in that specific promise, God's response was not one of harsh condemnation but of gentle correction and reassurance, immediately followed by the powerful rhetorical question, "[Is anything too hard for the LORD?](/genesis/18-14 "Genesis 18:14 - God's Omnipotence Question")" This interaction ultimately led to a strengthening of her faith, as evidenced by later biblical testimony where [Sarah is commended for her faith](/hebrews/11-11 "Hebrews 11:11 - Sarah's Faith and Conception"). It highlights that God understands human weakness and graciously works with it, drawing people towards greater trust.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous birth of Isaac, conceived beyond natural human capacity through divine intervention, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the ultimate miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. Just as Sarah, "old" and beyond childbearing years, conceived through God's power, so too was Jesus conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary, transcending all natural limitations ([Luke 1:34-35](/luke/1-34-35 "Luke 1:34-35 - The Virgin Conception")). Sarah's laughter of doubt was transformed into the laughter of joy at Isaac's birth, signifying the fulfillment of God's covenant promise. Similarly, the coming of Christ turns humanity's despair and doubt—our spiritual barrenness—into the profound and eternal joy of salvation and new life. Christ, as the ultimate fulfillment of God's "impossible" promises, demonstrates that "[with God nothing shall be impossible](/luke/1-37 "Luke 1:37 - The Angel Gabriel's Declaration to Mary")" (Luke 1:37), overcoming not only biological impossibilities but also the ultimate impossibility of human sin and death through His resurrection, thereby bringing forth a new creation and a spiritual lineage far exceeding Abraham's physical descendants ([Romans 4:16-17](/romans/4-16-17 "Romans 4:16-17 - Abraham, Father of Many Nations Through Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 2:25

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