Genesis 18:13

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

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}?

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

And the LORD asked Abraham, โ€œWhy did Sarah laugh and say, โ€˜Can I really bear a child when I am old?โ€™

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

Commentary

Genesis 18:13 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of Abraham and Sarah, revealing God's intimate knowledge of human hearts and the power of His promises.

Context

This verse follows the miraculous announcement by one of three divine visitors to Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son within the year, despite their advanced age. Sarah, who was listening from the tent door, laughed inwardly at the seemingly impossible prospect. Her husband, Abraham, was already a hundred years old, and Sarah was ninety. The LORD, one of the visitors, directly addresses Abraham, revealing His omniscience by knowing Sarah's private thought and challenging her doubt.

Key Themes

  • Divine Omniscience: The verse powerfully demonstrates that God is not limited by physical distance or the secrecy of human thoughts. He knew exactly why Sarah laughed, highlighting His profound knowledge of all things.
  • God's Unwavering Promise: Despite Sarah's natural human skepticism, the LORD's question implicitly reaffirms the certainty of His promise. It sets the stage for the famous rhetorical question in the very next verse: "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?"
  • Human Doubt vs. Divine Power: Sarah's laughter represents a common human reaction to the supernatural โ€“ a struggle to reconcile God's boundless power with perceived human limitations. God's gentle rebuke serves to address this unbelief.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "laugh" here is tzachaq (ืฆึธื—ึทืง). This word is highly significant because the promised son's name, Isaac (Yitzchak), literally means "he laughs" or "laughter." This connection subtly foreshadows that the very source of Sarah's initial doubt would become the source of immense joy and the fulfillment of God's covenant, turning her laughter of disbelief into laughter of joy.

Practical Application

Genesis 18:13 offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Impossibility: We are encouraged to believe that God's promises are not constrained by our circumstances, age, or what seems humanly impossible. What He declares, He will perform.
  • God Sees Our Hearts: This passage reminds us that God knows our inner thoughts, doubts, and struggles. We cannot hide our true reactions from Him, and He graciously engages with them.
  • Faith Over Sight: Like Sarah, we often face situations where God's plan seems contrary to natural understanding. This verse calls us to move beyond our limited perspective and embrace the truth of His word, knowing that He who promised is faithful.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 2:25 (2 votes)

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