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?

Genesis 18:13 nkjv

And the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?'

Genesis 18:13 niv

Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?'

Genesis 18:13 esv

The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?'

Genesis 18:13 nlt

Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, 'Can an old woman like me have a baby?'

Genesis 18 verses

Genesis 18 13 Meaning

This verse reveals God's omniscient confrontation of Sarah's hidden disbelief, addressing it to Abraham. Despite Sarah's silent doubt regarding the promise of a son in her old age, the LORD makes known her thoughts, affirming His absolute knowledge and sovereign power to fulfill His covenantal word against all natural limitations.

Genesis 18 13 Context

Genesis 18 takes place at the patriarchal home near the oaks of Mamre, detailing a profound visit from three divine messengers, one of whom is explicitly identified as "the LORD" (Yahweh). Abraham and Sarah, having lived for decades with the promise of innumerable offspring, were now exceptionally old—Abraham nearly 100, and Sarah nearly 90. Sarah's prolonged barrenness was a significant cultural burden and an apparent block to the divine promise, as an heir was crucial for family continuity and societal standing in ancient Near Eastern culture. During this visit, the divine guest explicitly re-states the promise of a son to be born to Sarah within the year. It is this specific, time-bound declaration, overheard by Sarah from inside her tent (Gen 18:10), that prompts her inward laughter of doubt, a reaction immediately known and addressed by the LORD in verse 13. This incident emphasizes Yahweh's distinct nature as a deity who possesses comprehensive knowledge of human inner thoughts and power to transcend all physical and natural limitations, distinguishing Him sharply from any regional deities thought to be bound by the terrestrial realm or ignorant of human intention.

Genesis 18 13 Word analysis

• "And the LORD" (וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה - vayyōʾmer Yahweh): "The LORD" signifies Yahweh, God's personal covenant name, establishing the Speaker's supreme authority. This direct address from God Himself (rather than an angel) underscores the solemnity and certainty of the interaction, as He is the ultimate promise-keeper.

• "said unto Abraham": While Sarah is the subject of the question, God addresses Abraham, the covenant head of the household. This may indicate a collective responsibility for faith within the family unit or that God is preparing Abraham for the immediate testing and strengthening of their combined faith in this crucial moment.

• "Wherefore" (לָמָּה - lammah): This is a strong interrogative "why" that functions as a gentle yet firm rebuke or a rhetorical challenge. It implies there is no legitimate reason for Sarah's disbelief, as God is not ignorant of her thoughts but intends to expose them and draw her (and Abraham) back to faith.

• "did Sarah laugh" (צָחֲקָה שָׂרָה - tsachaqah Sārāh): "Laugh" here, as confirmed by her subsequent denial, describes a private, inward scoffing or disbelieving laughter, not one of joy or amusement. The Hebrew root (ṣ-ḥ-q) is also the root for the name "Isaac" (Yitṣḥāq), creating a profound irony where laughter of doubt is eventually replaced by the laughter of miraculous joy with the birth of their son.

• "saying" (לֵאמֹר - lēʾmōr): This verb usually introduces direct speech. Here, its use confirms that God is quoting Sarah's precise internal, unspoken thought process. This powerfully illustrates God's omniscience—His perfect and intimate knowledge of the human heart's secret musings and doubts.

• "Shall I of a surety bear a child": This is Sarah's internal, rhetorical question expressing utter incredulity. The phrase "of a surety" emphasizes the certainty in her own mind that the biological reality absolutely precludes conception. It highlights her rational, yet limited, human perspective.

• "which am old": This clause provides the physiological basis for Sarah's profound doubt. Her advanced age and barrenness represent the insurmountable natural barrier upon which her disbelief is founded, emphasizing her focus on natural limitations rather than supernatural possibilities.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh": This segment reveals God's active role in confronting human doubt directly and intentionally. God does not wait for confession but brings hidden sin or weakness to light. His immediate address through Abraham signals a call to corporate faith within the household, positioning this as a key moment in their spiritual journey.
  • "saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?": This group reveals the content of Sarah's inner disbelief, showcasing her reliance on observable, physical realities as definitive limitations. God's ability to perfectly quote her silent question underscores His perfect omniscience and serves to expose the conflict between human impossibility and divine possibility, preparing the way for the profound question of Gen 18:14.

Genesis 18 13 Bonus section

• The Power of Divine Naming: The choice of Isaac (meaning "He Laughs" or "Laughter") as the promised son's name is an ongoing testament to this encounter. What began as Sarah's skeptical laughter (Gen 18:12), her lie about it (Gen 18:15), culminated in her joyous laughter (Gen 21:6) upon Isaac's birth. This transformation of the meaning of laughter highlights God's power to turn human doubt into divine delight, weaving it directly into the lineage of faith.
• God's Questions are Never for Information: Throughout the Bible, God frequently asks questions (e.g., "Where are you, Adam?" "Why do you rage, Gentiles?"). These questions are consistently pedagogical, not inquisitive. They serve to call individuals to account, to reveal hidden heart conditions, to challenge false assumptions, or to provoke a necessary realization, rather than to gain knowledge God does not already possess.
• Omniscience as Comfort and Conviction: For the faithful, God's omniscience that knows all our thoughts, even the unspoken doubts, is a profound comfort that we are fully understood and loved. Yet, it also brings a conviction, knowing that our unconfessed sins and internal skepticism are fully transparent to Him. This tension drives believers towards deeper surrender and reliance on Him.

Genesis 18 13 Commentary

Genesis 18:13 is a concise yet profound revelation of God's character and His interaction with human faith and doubt. The LORD's direct confrontation of Sarah's private laughter emphasizes His absolute omniscience, revealing that even unspoken thoughts and hidden incredulity are perfectly known to Him. Her doubt, rooted in the biological impossibility of conception at her age, presented a direct challenge to the credibility of God's promise. By asking "Wherefore did Sarah laugh?", God issues a gentle but firm rebuke, not because He needs information, but to expose the core of her unbelief and guide her towards a robust faith. This moment sets the stage for the crucial theological statement in the subsequent verse: "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" This encounter served as a pivotal faith-strengthening exercise for Abraham and Sarah, highlighting that God’s promises are not constrained by natural laws or human limitations, but are guaranteed by His divine omnipotence and faithfulness. This incident powerfully demonstrates that God demands and expects faith, even when circumstances seem overwhelmingly contradictory.