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, astonishment, and triumphant declaration of God's faithfulness following the miraculous birth of Isaac. Her rhetorical question underscores the human impossibility of her situation—a woman well past childbearing years not only conceiving and giving birth but also nursing a child—thereby magnifying the divine power that brought this long-awaited promise to fruition in her old age.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the climactic account of Isaac's birth and circumcision in [Genesis 21:1-6](/genesis/21-1-6 "The Birth and Circumcision of Isaac"). The narrative has built for decades towards this moment, beginning with God's initial promise to Abraham and Sarah. Sarah's exclamation here serves as the emotional culmination of this long-awaited event, directly expressing the wonder and joy that follows the fulfillment of God's covenant promise. It contrasts sharply with her earlier laughter of disbelief in [Genesis 18:12](/genesis/18-12 "Sarah's Skeptical Laughter") and transforms it into laughter of profound delight, reinforcing the theme of God's ability to do the impossible.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, barrenness was often considered a curse or a sign of divine disfavor, bringing immense shame to a woman. Conversely, bearing children, especially sons, was highly valued as it ensured the continuation of the family line and inheritance. Sarah's advanced age (around 90) and Abraham's (around 100) made conception and childbirth medically impossible by natural means, emphasizing the supernatural nature of Isaac's birth. The act of nursing ("given children suck") further highlights the complete and natural motherhood Sarah experienced, a stark reversal of her previous barren state and a public demonstration of God's miraculous intervention.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 21:7 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It is a profound testament to **God's faithfulness to His covenant promises**, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to Abraham to make him a great nation ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Initial Promise to Abraham")). It highlights **God's sovereignty over nature and human limitations**, proving that His power transcends all natural barriers ([Genesis 18:14](/genesis/18-14 "Is anything too hard for the Lord?")). Furthermore, it illustrates the **transformation of human doubt into divine joy**, as Sarah's initial skepticism gives way to exuberant praise, underscoring the theme of God's redemptive work in human lives.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _mâlal'_ H4448):** This primitive root means "to speak" or "to say," often used in a poetic or declarative sense. Here, it conveys Sarah's emphatic and rhetorical utterance, expressing profound astonishment and a declaration of God's incredible deed. It's not just a casual remark but a statement of wonder and triumph.
* **suck (Hebrew, _yânaq'_ H3243):** This primitive root means "to suck" or, causatively, "to give milk." The use of this word emphasizes the intimate and tangible reality of Sarah's motherhood. It's not just that she bore a child, but that she is fully nurturing him, a complete and undeniable reversal of her barrenness, making the miracle even more concrete and personal.
* **son (Hebrew, _bên'_ H1121):** Derived from a root meaning "to build," this word refers to a son as a "builder of the family name." In this context, "son" is not just any male child, but the promised heir, Isaac, who is foundational to the continuation of Abraham's lineage and the fulfillment of God's covenant. His birth ensures the "building" of the promised nation.
* **old age (Hebrew, _zâqun'_ H2208):** This term, derived from the root "to be old," specifically refers to the state of "old age." Its inclusion here is crucial, as it underscores the human impossibility of Sarah's situation. The miracle is magnified precisely because it occurred when she was well past the natural age of childbearing, highlighting God's supernatural intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham,"**: This opening phrase sets the stage for Sarah's rhetorical question, expressing her overwhelming astonishment. It implies that no one, not even Abraham himself, could have possibly predicted or believed such an outcome given their advanced ages and her long history of barrenness. It's an exclamation of disbelief turned into triumphant wonder.
* **"that Sarah should have given children suck?"**: This is the core of Sarah's rhetorical question, emphasizing the miraculous nature of her motherhood. "Given children suck" (literally, "given sons suck") highlights not just the act of giving birth, but the intimate, nurturing reality of breastfeeding, which further solidifies the authenticity and completeness of the miracle in her own body. It underscores the full reversal of her barren condition.
* **"for I have born [him] a son in his old age."**: This concluding clause provides the reason for Sarah's astonishment and joy. The phrase "in his old age" refers to Abraham's advanced age (around 100) when Isaac was born. This statement confirms the fulfillment of God's promise and serves as a powerful testament to His faithfulness, demonstrating that He brings about His will regardless of human limitations or natural circumstances.

#### Literary Devices
Sarah's utterance in [Genesis 21:7](/genesis/21-7 "Sarah's joyful exclamation at nursing Isaac") is rich with **Rhetorical Question**, a powerful literary device that does not seek an answer but rather makes an emphatic statement. Her question, "Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck?", serves to highlight the sheer impossibility of the situation from a human perspective, thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of God's intervention. This rhetorical question also carries a strong element of **Irony**, as Sarah, who once laughed in disbelief at the promise of a son in her old age ([Genesis 18:12](/genesis/18-12 "Sarah's skeptical laughter")), now laughs with triumphant joy and astonishment at its fulfillment. The contrast between her past skepticism and present exultation underscores God's transformative power. Furthermore, the act of "giving children suck" serves as powerful **Symbolism** of complete and undeniable motherhood, moving beyond mere conception and birth to the tangible, nurturing reality of raising a child, which was once thought impossible for her.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 21:7 is a profound declaration of God's unwavering faithfulness and omnipotence. It reveals that God's promises are not contingent upon human capability or natural circumstances, but solely upon His divine will and power. Sarah's experience transforms her initial laughter of doubt into laughter of triumphant joy, illustrating God's capacity to redeem and transform human experiences and emotions, bringing forth life and fulfillment where only barrenness and despair once existed. This verse stands as a testament to the truth that what is impossible with man is possible with God, reinforcing the biblical theme of divine intervention in human history to accomplish His redemptive purposes.

* [Luke 1:37](/luke/1-37 "For with God nothing will be impossible.")
* [Romans 4:18-21](/romans/4-18-21 "Abraham's faith in God's promise despite impossible circumstances")
* [Hebrews 11:11](/hebrews/11-11 "By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.")

### 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—whether physical, spiritual, or relational—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. It invites us to trust in God's power to fulfill His word, even when all natural indicators suggest otherwise, transforming our doubts into declarations of His goodness and faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "impossible" promises or desires are you holding onto that God might be preparing to fulfill in your life?**
* **How does Sarah's transformation from skeptical laughter to joyful declaration encourage your own faith journey?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust God's power to transcend natural limitations, just as He did for Sarah?**

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

Answer: Sarah's age, approximately 90 years old, is profoundly significant 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. It underscores that God's faithfulness is not bound by biological or chronological constraints.

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

Answer: This is a powerful rhetorical question expressing profound astonishment, joy, and vindication. 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, turning what was once a source of shame and doubt into a public declaration of God's incredible power and faithfulness.

**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, questioning how such a thing could be. Here, her joy and astonishment represent a profound transformation of that initial laughter. God turned her laughter of doubt into laughter of triumphant joy and wonder, demonstrating His ability to fulfill His word and bring about unexpected blessings, even redeeming and transforming human skepticism into praise.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous birth of Isaac, the son of promise born to an elderly, barren woman, serves as a profound foreshadowing of 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 or natural procreation ([Matthew 1:18](/matthew/1-18 "The miraculous conception of Jesus")). Isaac's birth secured the physical lineage through whom the covenant promises would flow, ultimately leading to Christ, the ultimate "seed" of Abraham who brings spiritual blessing and salvation to all nations ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The promise was made to Abraham and to his seed, who is Christ")). Sarah's joy over her miraculous son, Isaac, points forward to the ultimate joy and eternal life brought by the Son of God, Jesus, who is the fulfillment of God's eternal covenant with humanity ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave His only Son")). Her experience of barrenness turned to fruitfulness mirrors the spiritual barrenness of humanity transformed into spiritual life through Christ's redemptive work ([Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4-5 "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ")).

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

Isaiah 66:8

Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? [or] shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

Genesis 18:11

Now Abraham and Sarah [were] old [and] well stricken in age; [and] it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

Genesis 18:12

Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

2 Thessalonians 1:10

When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Deuteronomy 4:32

For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and [ask] from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been [any such thing] as this great thing [is], or hath been heard like it?

Deuteronomy 4:34

Or hath God assayed to go [and] take him a nation from the midst of [another] nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

Numbers 23:23

Surely [there is] no enchantment against Jacob, neither [is there] any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!