Genesis 21:7

KJV

And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born [him] a son in his old age.

KJV (with Strong's)

And she said {H559}, Who would have said {H4448} unto Abraham {H85}, that Sarah {H8283} should have given children {H1121} suck {H3243}? for I have born {H3205} him a son {H1121} in his old age {H2208}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And she said, "Who would have said to Avraham that Sarah would nurse children? Nevertheless, I have borne him a son in his old age!"

Berean Standard Bible

She added, “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

American Standard Version

And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should give children suck? for I have borne him a son in his old age.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 21:7 captures Sarah's profound joy and astonishment at the miraculous birth of Isaac, her son, whom she is now nursing in her old age. Her rhetorical question, "Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck?" powerfully declares God's unwavering faithfulness and His ability to fulfill promises that are humanly impossible, turning her initial laughter of disbelief into laughter of triumphant joy.

### CONTEXT
This verse immediately follows the account of Isaac's birth and circumcision in [Genesis 21:1-6](/genesis/21-1 "The birth of Isaac and his circumcision"). After decades of barrenness and waiting, and well past childbearing age, Sarah finally conceives and gives birth to the son of promise. Her words reflect the culmination of a long journey marked by initial doubt and a laughter of disbelief when the promise was first announced ([Genesis 18:12](/genesis/18-12 "Sarah's initial skeptical laughter")), which God sovereignly transformed into laughter of profound joy. The birth of Isaac was central to God's covenant with Abraham, signifying the beginning of a multitude of descendants and the establishment of a great nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Sarah's exclamation in [Genesis 21:7](/genesis/21-7 "Sarah's joy at nursing Isaac") is a testament to the overwhelming reality of God's miraculous intervention. Her rhetorical question, "Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck?" underscores the sheer impossibility of the situation from a human perspective. At approximately 90 years old, Sarah's ability not only to conceive and give birth but also to nurse a child was a direct, undeniable act of divine power. This act vividly demonstrates God's limitless power and His unwavering commitment to His word, proving that with God, nothing is impossible ([Luke 1:37](/luke/1-37 "With God nothing shall be impossible")).

* **Divine Faithfulness and Miracle:** Sarah's advanced age (around 90, with Abraham around 100) made her ability to bear and nurse a child a profound miracle. It served as irrefutable proof of God's faithfulness to His covenant promise, demonstrating His ability to transcend natural limitations and fulfill His word against all odds.
* **Sarah's Joy and Vindication:** After years of longing and enduring the societal stigma of barrenness, Sarah's joy is palpable and deeply personal. Her words are not merely an expression of wonder but also a triumphant declaration of God's grace. The child she nurses is the living, breathing proof that God keeps His promises, turning her long-held sorrow and initial skepticism into profound gladness and vindication.
* **Fulfillment of Promise:** This verse celebrates the long-awaited fulfillment of the covenant promise made to Abraham, which began as early as [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's initial promise to Abraham to make him a great nation") and was reiterated throughout their journey ([Genesis 15:4-5](/genesis/15-4 "God promises Abraham a son from his own body and numerous descendants"), [Genesis 17:16](/genesis/17-16 "God promises Sarah a son and that she will be a mother of nations")). The phrase "given children suck" (Hebrew: *heiniqa banim*) emphasizes the full, intimate reality of Sarah's motherhood. It highlights not just the miraculous conception and birth, but the tangible, nurturing act of raising a child, a complete reversal of her previous barren state and powerful evidence of a new, miraculous life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **God's Sovereignty Over Nature:** The miraculous birth of Isaac demonstrates God's ultimate control over natural processes, highlighting His ability to intervene directly in human affairs to fulfill His divine purposes.
* **The Power of God's Word:** Sarah's experience underscores that God's promises are not dependent on human capability or natural circumstances, but on His own omnipotence and faithfulness. What God declares, He will bring to pass.
* **Transformation of Human Emotion:** Sarah's initial laughter of doubt and disbelief ([Genesis 18:12](/genesis/18-12 "Sarah's skeptical laughter")) is transformed into laughter of joy and celebration, illustrating God's capacity to redeem and transform human experiences and emotions.
* **The Covenant Line:** Isaac's birth is a critical moment in the unfolding of God's covenant with Abraham, ensuring the continuation of the promised lineage through whom the Messiah would eventually come.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Sarah's story, culminating in this verse, serves as a powerful reminder for believers today that God's timing is perfect, even when promises seem delayed or impossible from a human perspective. For those facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, long-held desires, or barren seasons in life, this verse offers profound hope that God can bring about what is humanly impossible. Just as God was faithful to Abraham and Sarah, He remains faithful to His people and His promises today, strengthening our faith in [God's unchanging character](/hebrews/10-23 "God is faithful who promised") and His ability to perform miracles in our own lives.

### FAQ
**Why is Sarah's age so significant in this verse?**

Answer: Sarah's age, approximately 90 years old, is crucial because it highlights the sheer impossibility of her conceiving and nursing a child through natural means. This emphasizes that Isaac's birth was a direct, undeniable miracle from God, demonstrating His power to overcome all human limitations and fulfill His promises.

**What does Sarah mean by "Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck?"**

Answer: This is a rhetorical question expressing profound astonishment and joy. It means, "No one would have ever believed or predicted to Abraham that I, Sarah, would be able to bear and nurse a child in my old age." It underscores the unexpected and miraculous nature of Isaac's birth from a human perspective.

**How does Sarah's initial laughter of disbelief relate to her joy in this verse?**

Answer: In [Genesis 18:12](/genesis/18-12 "Sarah's initial skeptical laughter"), Sarah laughed skeptically when she overheard the promise of a son in her old age. Here, her joy and astonishment are a transformation of that initial laughter. God turned her laughter of doubt into laughter of triumphant joy, demonstrating His ability to fulfill His word and bring about unexpected blessings.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous birth of Isaac, the son of promise born to an elderly, barren woman, foreshadows the even greater miracle of the birth of Jesus Christ. Just as Isaac's birth was not by natural means but by divine intervention, so too was Christ conceived by the Holy Spirit, not by human will ([Matthew 1:18](/matthew/1-18 "The miraculous conception of Jesus")). Isaac's birth secured the physical lineage through which the covenant promises would flow, ultimately leading to Christ, the ultimate "seed" of Abraham who brings spiritual blessing to all nations ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The promise was made to Abraham and to his seed, who is Christ")). Thus, Sarah's joy over her miraculous son points forward to the ultimate joy and salvation brought by the Son of God, fulfilling God's eternal covenant.

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.