Genesis 18:14

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 18:14 presents the LORD's profound rhetorical question, "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?", directly confronting human doubt with an emphatic declaration of divine omnipotence and reaffirming His steadfast promise to Abraham and Sarah regarding the miraculous birth of their son, Isaac. This verse serves as a powerful testament to God's limitless power and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant, demonstrating that no human limitation or natural impossibility can hinder His sovereign will and perfect timing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse is situated within a highly significant narrative in [Genesis 18](/genesis/18 "Genesis 18 - The Lord's Visit to Abraham"), where Abraham receives three mysterious visitors, one of whom is identified as the LORD Himself. The preceding verses detail Abraham's extraordinary hospitality towards these strangers. The divine encounter then shifts to the purpose of their visit: to reiterate and confirm the promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah, despite their advanced age. Sarah, having overheard this declaration from inside the tent, laughs to herself in disbelief at the prospect of bearing a child at ninety years old ([Genesis 18:12](/genesis/18-12 "Sarah's internal laughter")). The LORD, discerning her unspoken thought and skepticism ([Genesis 18:13](/genesis/18-13 "The LORD questions Sarah's laughter")), directly addresses her doubt with the rhetorical question of [verse 14](/genesis/18-14 "The LORD's question to Sarah"), setting the stage for the miraculous fulfillment of His word and the birth of Isaac, whose name means "he laughs."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, lineage and the continuation of the family name through male heirs were paramount. Barrenness was often seen as a curse or a source of great shame. Abraham and Sarah, as a childless elderly couple, faced not only social stigma but also the apparent impossibility of God's covenant promise of numerous descendants being fulfilled through them. The cultural expectation was that childbearing ceased long before Sarah's age of ninety. Furthermore, the practice of hospitality, as demonstrated by Abraham, was a deeply ingrained cultural value, often seen as a sacred duty, and in this instance, it brought about a divine revelation. The narrative underscores the extraordinary nature of God's intervention, defying all natural and cultural expectations of the time.
* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 18:14](/genesis/18-14 "The LORD's question to Sarah") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **divine omnipotence**, emphasizing that God's power is unconstrained by human limitations or natural laws. Secondly, it reinforces **God's covenant faithfulness**, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His promises, even when human faith falters. The promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah is central to God's covenant to make Abraham the father of many nations, a theme introduced in [Genesis 12](/genesis/12 "Genesis 12 - The Call of Abram") and reiterated in [Genesis 17](/genesis/17 "Genesis 17 - The Covenant of Circumcision"). Thirdly, the verse addresses the theme of **human doubt versus divine assurance**, as Sarah's laughter is met with God's direct challenge to her skepticism. Finally, it foreshadows the theme of **miraculous births** as a sign of divine intervention, a pattern that recurs throughout biblical history, culminating in the birth of the Messiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 18:14 stands as a foundational declaration of God's character and power, directly confronting human skepticism with the ultimate truth of divine capability. The LORD, having discerned Sarah's private laughter and disbelief, challenges the human perception of impossibility with a profound rhetorical question, then reiterates His specific promise, underscoring His unwavering commitment to His covenant.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **thing (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, this word signifies "a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing." In this context, it encompasses any circumstance, event, or reality that might be considered difficult or impossible from a human perspective. The use of "any thing" emphasizes the comprehensive scope of God's power, extending to every conceivable matter or situation.
* **too hard (Hebrew, _pâlâʼ'_):** From H6381, this primitive root means "properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful." It conveys the idea of something being extraordinary, beyond comprehension, or miraculous. When applied to God, it suggests that nothing is too difficult or too wonderful for Him to accomplish, highlighting His ability to perform wonders that defy natural explanation.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is the sacred, personal covenant name of God, often translated as "Jehovah" or "Yahweh," meaning "the self-Existent or Eternal." The use of this specific name underscores God's absolute sovereignty, His unchanging nature, and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. It is by the power of the Self-Existent One that the impossible becomes possible.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Is any thing too hard for the LORD?"**: This is a powerful rhetorical question, designed not to elicit information but to make an emphatic statement. It challenges Sarah's (and by extension, humanity's) limited perspective, asserting God's absolute omnipotence. The implication is a resounding "No!" – nothing is beyond the LORD's capability. This question serves as a cornerstone declaration of God's limitless power and ability to accomplish anything He purposes, regardless of natural laws or human limitations.
* **"At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life,"**: This clause reiterates God's specific promise with an emphasis on His perfect timing. "At the time appointed" (Hebrew, _môwʻêd'_ from H4150, meaning a fixed time or season) highlights God's sovereignty over time and events. "According to the time of life" (Hebrew, _ʻêth chay'_ from H6256 and H2416, meaning "time of living" or "due season of life") refers to the natural cycle of pregnancy and birth, indicating that the miracle will occur within the normal biological progression, yet initiated supernaturally by God's power and precisely at His chosen moment. This demonstrates that God's promises are not only certain but also unfold according to His divine timetable.
* **"and Sarah shall have a son."**: This is the direct, unequivocal affirmation of the promise. Despite Sarah's age and physical condition, God declares the outcome with certainty. This phrase is the concrete fulfillment of the covenant promise, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness and His power to bring forth life where it is naturally impossible. It points to the miraculous birth of Isaac, the son of promise.

#### Literary Devices
The verse masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?" This question is not posed for an answer but to make a forceful declaration of divine omnipotence, directly challenging Sarah's disbelief and inviting the reader to contemplate God's limitless power. There is also an element of **Divine Irony** in the LORD's direct address to Sarah's private laughter, highlighting God's omniscience and His ability to perceive even unspoken thoughts. Furthermore, the entire narrative serves as **Foreshadowing**, setting a pattern for future miraculous births in biblical history, each signifying God's direct intervention in human affairs to advance His redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 18:14 serves as a foundational text for understanding God's character, particularly His omnipotence and faithfulness. It teaches that God is not limited by human logic, natural laws, or biological constraints. His word is sufficient to bring about what seems impossible, demonstrating His sovereign control over all creation and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. This encounter also highlights God's personal engagement with humanity, as He directly confronts Sarah's doubt with a loving yet firm reassurance of His power and purpose. The miraculous birth of Isaac, predicated on this divine declaration, becomes a tangible sign of God's ability to create life and fulfill His word against all odds, laying the groundwork for the unfolding of His redemptive plan through Abraham's descendants.

* [Jeremiah 32:27](/jeremiah/32-27 "God's rhetorical question about His power")
* [Luke 1:37](/luke/1-37 "Gabriel's declaration to Mary")
* [Romans 4:19-21](/romans/4-19-21 "Abraham's faith in God's promise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 18:14 offers immense encouragement and a profound challenge for believers today. When faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, personal challenges, or delays in God's promises, this verse calls us to anchor our faith in God's limitless power. Our human limitations, doubts, or the apparent unlikelihood of circumstances do not diminish His ability to act. It compels us to trust not only in God's omnipotence but also in His perfect timing, knowing that He will fulfill His word in His appointed season. This verse encourages us to bring our "impossible" situations before the LORD, remembering that what is impossible with man is possible with God. It reminds us that God's power is most gloriously displayed when human strength and capability are exhausted, inviting us to surrender our anxieties and expectations to His sovereign will and perfect plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "impossible" situations in your life or the world are you currently facing that this verse speaks to?**
* **How does Sarah's initial laughter and the LORD's response challenge your own doubts or skepticism about God's promises?**
* **In what ways does God's perfect timing, as highlighted in this verse, encourage or challenge your patience and trust?**

### FAQ
**Why did Sarah laugh when she heard the promise?**

Answer: Sarah laughed because, from a human perspective, the promise of bearing a child at her age (she was 90, and Abraham 100) seemed utterly impossible and absurd. Her laughter, as noted in [Genesis 18:12](/genesis/18-12 "Sarah's internal laughter"), was an expression of disbelief and human skepticism in the face of a promise that defied natural laws and her own physical reality. It was a natural, though faithless, reaction to a seemingly unbelievable divine declaration.

**Does "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?" imply God can do anything, even contradict His own nature?**

Answer: This rhetorical question asserts God's limitless power within the bounds of His divine character and perfect will. It means nothing *He purposes* is impossible for Him to accomplish. It does not imply He can act contrary to His holy, just, and loving nature. For example, God cannot lie ([Titus 1:2](/titus/1-2 "God cannot lie")) or deny Himself ([2 Timothy 2:13](/2_timothy/2-13 "God cannot deny Himself")), because such actions would violate His perfect attributes. His power is always exercised in perfect alignment with His wisdom, righteousness, and love.

**How does "at the time appointed" relate to God's promises in our lives?**

Answer: "At the time appointed" emphasizes God's sovereign control over timing. It assures us that God's promises are not only certain to be fulfilled but will also occur at the precise moment He deems best. This teaches patience and trust, reminding us that while we may desire immediate fulfillment, God's timing is always perfect, even when it requires waiting through what seems like an impossible delay. It encourages us to align our expectations with His divine schedule, knowing that His plans unfold with precision and purpose.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound declaration in [Genesis 18:14](/genesis/18-14 "The LORD's question to Sarah")—that nothing is too hard for the LORD and His promises are fulfilled in His appointed time—finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The miraculous birth of Isaac to an elderly, barren couple powerfully foreshadows the even greater miracle of the virgin birth of Jesus, where God again demonstrated His power to bring life from an impossible human situation ([Luke 1:37](/luke/1-37 "Gabriel's declaration to Mary")). Furthermore, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the supreme demonstration that nothing is too hard for the LORD, conquering sin and death, the ultimate human impossibilities ([Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "The Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead")). Christ's coming "in the fulness of the time" ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "God sending His Son in the fullness of time")) perfectly illustrates God's sovereign timing, orchestrating all history for the arrival of His Son. Through Christ, all of God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "All of God's promises are 'Yes' in Christ")), confirming that God is faithful and powerful enough to accomplish all His redemptive purposes for humanity, culminating in the new creation and eternal life for those who believe.

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

Luke 1:37

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Matthew 19:26

But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Mark 10:27

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Jeremiah 32:27

Behold, I [am] the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

Ephesians 3:20

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Job 42:2

I know that thou canst do every [thing], and [that] no thought can be withholden from thee.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.