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.

Genesis 18:14 nkjv

Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son."

Genesis 18:14 niv

Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son."

Genesis 18:14 esv

Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."

Genesis 18:14 nlt

Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."

Genesis 18 verses

Genesis 18 14 Meaning

Genesis 18:14 poses a rhetorical question, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" directly affirming God's unlimited power and ability to fulfill His promises, even when humanly impossible. It follows Sarah's disbelief upon hearing she would bear a son in her old age, serving as a divine rebuke and reassurance that God's plan and word are absolute and supersede all natural limitations. The verse then reaffirms the specific promise: "At the appointed time I will return to you, and Sarah will have a son," reiterating the certainty of Isaac's miraculous birth according to God's precise timing. It is a declaration of divine omnipotence and faithfulness.

Genesis 18 14 Context

Genesis chapter 18 details a divine encounter where the Lord, appearing as one of three men, visits Abraham. This visit serves to confirm and provide a specific timeline for the long-promised heir, Isaac, to be born to Sarah, despite her advanced age (around 90) and past barrenness. While Abraham shows hospitality and reverence, Sarah overhears the conversation from inside the tent and laughs to herself at the thought of bearing a child. The verse directly addresses this silent, internal doubt, revealing God's omniscience and responding to Sarah's hidden unbelief. Historically and culturally, barrenness was considered a great shame, and elderly parenthood was virtually unheard of, making the divine promise and its affirmation a powerful statement about God's nature that challenges prevailing human expectations and the perceived finality of natural laws.

Genesis 18 14 Word analysis

• Is anything too hard for the Lord? (Hebrew: הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵיְהוָה דָּבָר)

  • הֲ (ha-) : A prefixed interrogative particle, signifying a question.
  • יִפָּלֵא (yippālē') : From the root פּלא (pālā'). This verb means "to be wonderful," "to be extraordinary," "to be difficult," "to be impossible," or "to perform wonders/miracles." In this context, it functions rhetorically, conveying the sense of "too difficult" or "too marvelous/impossible" for God. It encapsulates the idea of divine capability extending beyond human comprehension and limitation.
  • מֵיְהוָה (mêYᵊhwâ) : "From the Lord."
    • מֵ (mê-) : The preposition "from" or "by."
    • יְהוָה (Yᵊhwâ): The Tetragrammaton, the unpronounceable divine name, "Yahweh" or "LORD" (often rendered in English as GOD or LORD with small caps). This personal name emphasizes God's covenantal relationship and His active presence in the world. Its use here underscores that the question refers to the specific, covenant-making God of Israel, not just any deity.
  • דָּבָר (dāḇār) : "Word," "thing," "matter," "affair." In this context, it broadly means "any matter" or "any thing," signifying that no circumstance, no natural law, no human impossibility, is beyond the Lord's power.

• At the appointed time I will return to you (Hebrew: לַמּוֹעֵד אָשׁוּב אֵלֶיךָ)

  • לַמּוֹעֵד (lām-mô‘ēḏ) : "At the appointed time."
    • לָ (lā-) : Preposition "to" or "at."
    • מוֹעֵד (mô‘ēḏ): "Appointed time," "fixed time," "season," "festival," "assembly." This word highlights God's sovereignty over time itself. The promise of Isaac's birth is not arbitrary but occurs at a divinely predetermined, specific moment, demonstrating God's meticulous plan and faithfulness to His schedule. It implies an exactness and inevitability that leaves no room for doubt or delay beyond what God ordains.
  • אָשׁוּב (’āšûḇ) : From the root שׁוב (šûḇ), meaning "to return." Here, "I will return," indicating God's active involvement and presence in fulfilling the promise.
  • אֵלֶיךָ (’êlêḵā) : "To you" (singular masculine, referring to Abraham).

• and Sarah will have a son. (Hebrew: וּלְשָׂרָה בֵן)

  • וּ (û-) : Conjunction "and."
  • לְשָׂרָה (ləśārâ) : "To Sarah" or "for Sarah."
  • בֵן (bēn) : "Son." This is the concrete promise, clear and specific.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Is anything too hard for the Lord?": This rhetorical question acts as a powerful statement of God's absolute omnipotence. It confronts human doubt and natural limitations, asserting that nothing is impossible for the Creator of all things. It's not a question seeking an answer, but a declaration. It implicitly rebukes Sarah's internal skepticism, highlighting God's omniscience and demanding a reconsideration of her understanding of divine power.
  • "At the appointed time I will return to you, and Sarah will have a son.": This clause serves as the firm answer and reaffirmation to the initial rhetorical question. It highlights God's precision and unfailing reliability in fulfilling His covenantal promises. The "appointed time" indicates divine orchestration and meticulous planning, not arbitrary action. It grounds the miraculous birth within God's deliberate, sovereign agenda.

Genesis 18 14 Bonus section

The Hebrew word pālā’ (translated as "too hard" or "wonderful") appears elsewhere in the context of divine acts, particularly miracles that are beyond human understanding or explanation. For example, Ps 139:14 says, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (נִפְלֵאתִי, niplē'tî, from pālā'). This connection emphasizes that what might appear "too hard" is simultaneously "too wonderful"—a marvelous and extraordinary display of God's power that inspires awe. The rhetorical question here serves not only as a rebuke of doubt but also as an invitation to marvel at God's capabilities. It implicitly challenges the perspective that views an event solely through human limitation, urging instead a shift to God's boundless ability, transforming a perceived impossibility into an anticipated wonder. This verse, therefore, undergirds all subsequent miraculous acts and covenant fulfillments in the Bible, affirming that God’s methods and capabilities are transcendent and often defy natural understanding.

Genesis 18 14 Commentary

Genesis 18:14 stands as a cornerstone verse in understanding God's nature. It addresses human skepticism directly, affirming the divine attributes of omnipotence, omniscience, and faithfulness. Sarah's laughter arose from a natural, logical assessment of her physical state and Abraham's, but God's question challenges such human-centric limitations. His power is not bound by biology, age, or past experience. The rhetorical nature of "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" implies an undeniable "No!" emphasizing God's ability to accomplish anything aligned with His divine will and character. This verse provides crucial insight into the nature of divine promises – they are rooted in God's capacity to bring about the impossible at His perfect, preordained moment. It’s a foundational truth for faith, reminding us that God is not limited by human perceived impossibilities.

Practical Usage:

• When facing seemingly impossible life situations, remember that God's power is limitless.
• It encourages unwavering faith in God's promises, knowing He is faithful and able to fulfill His word.
• It teaches reliance on God's divine timing rather than human schedules.