Genesis 18:15 kjv

Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.

Genesis 18:15 nkjv

But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. And He said, "No, but you did laugh!"

Genesis 18:15 niv

Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, "I did not laugh." But he said, "Yes, you did laugh."

Genesis 18:15 esv

But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. He said, "No, but you did laugh."

Genesis 18:15 nlt

Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, "I didn't laugh." But the LORD said, "No, you did laugh."

Genesis 18 verses

Genesis 18 15 Meaning

Genesis 18:15 captures Sarah's immediate denial of her laughter after overhearing the divine promise of a son, driven by fear. The verse reveals the Lord's omniscience as He directly refutes her false statement, affirming that she did indeed laugh. It highlights a common human reaction—attempting to conceal disbelief or a specific action when confronted by divine truth, and the unwavering truth and knowledge of God.

Genesis 18 15 Context

Genesis chapter 18 opens with the Lord appearing to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre, accompanied by two angels, disguised as men. Abraham offers them exceptional hospitality, indicative of the ancient Near Eastern cultural practice. During this visit, the divine visitors reiterate the promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah, specifically mentioning that Sarah would have a child within a year. Sarah, who is listening from behind the tent door and is advanced in years (around 90), overhears this and laughs to herself, doubting the possibility due to her age and physical state. The Lord then directly challenges Abraham about Sarah's laughter and disbelief. Verse 15 is Sarah's immediate and fearful response to being confronted, denying the very laughter that occurred moments before. This moment serves as a prelude to the fulfillment of the promise and highlights the human struggle with faith when faced with seemingly impossible divine declarations. It contrasts human limitations and fear with God's absolute knowledge and power.

Genesis 18 15 Word analysis

• But (וַתְּכַחֵשׁ): Introduces a sharp contrast or a turning point. It sets Sarah's response directly against the Lord's preceding question about her laughter.
• Sarah (שָׂרָה, Sarah): Her name means "princess." Her action here reflects human weakness, not royalty, emphasizing the tension between divine promise and human limitation.
• denied (וַתְּכַחֵשׁ, wattekhāchēš): From the root כָחַשׁ (kakhash), meaning "to deny, feign, disappoint, lie, fail." This is a strong verb indicating a deliberate, untruthful concealment, more than just a simple "no." It implies an attempt to obscure the truth out of fear or embarrassment.
• saying, I laughed not: This is a direct, verbal contradiction of the truth, expressing her attempt to avoid being exposed or judged.
• for she was afraid (כִּי יָרֵאָה, kî yārē'â): The immediate justification for her denial. Yare' (יָרֵא) can mean both "to fear" and "to revere/awe." Here, it points to a fear of confrontation, a human reaction to being exposed in a private moment of doubt, especially by a divine presence. Her fear overwhelmed her ability to be truthful.
• And He said (וַיֹּאמֶר, wayyō'mer): Refers to the Lord (implied from the preceding verses). This shows the divine directness and immediate response to Sarah's lie, demonstrating omniscience.
• Nay (לֹא, lō'): Literally "No," but in this context, it functions as a forceful affirmation of the truth against a denial, meaning "Not so!" or "Indeed you did!" It’s a powerful rebuttal.
• but thou didst laugh: A direct, declarative statement confirming the very thing Sarah denied. It underscores the Lord's absolute knowledge of Sarah's inner thoughts and private actions, even those she attempted to conceal. This truth-telling confronts human deceit with divine reality.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "But Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not": This phrase reveals Sarah's attempt at self-preservation through falsehood. It is a common human reflex to deny uncomfortable truths or private doubts when confronted. Her denial is not merely an external utterance but likely stems from internal conviction (or lack thereof) mixed with apprehension.
• "for she was afraid": This explanatory clause provides the crucial motivation for her denial. It links human fear directly to falsehood. Her fear likely stemmed from the realization that her private, incredulous thought and physical reaction were known to this divine visitor. There might also be a cultural fear of speaking presumptuously against a divine promise, or of showing a lack of faith in a guest's pronouncements.
• "And He said, Nay; but thou didst laugh": This direct and concise divine rebuttal highlights God's omniscience and authority. It reveals that no thought, no hidden action, no private emotion is concealed from Him. It is not an accusation spoken in anger, but a gentle, firm, and truthful confrontation that pierces through her fear and denial. This underscores God's commitment to truth and His intimate knowledge of humanity. The contrast between human attempts to hide and God's unerring knowledge is stark and significant for the entire biblical narrative of human interaction with the divine.

Genesis 18 15 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "laughed" (צָחַק, tsahaq) also carries connotations of playing, sport, or mock, suggesting not just mirth but also derision or lightheartedness stemming from disbelief. In Sarah's case, it indicates incredulity at the divine promise. The divine challenge and Sarah's subsequent fear-induced denial also serve as a foundational moment for understanding the nature of biblical faith – it is often challenged by doubt, but ultimately grounded in the unerring truth and power of God, who knows all things. This moment demonstrates that God understands human frailty (Ps 103:14), yet He still holds humanity accountable to truth and deals with them directly, guiding them towards faith and reliance on Him despite their imperfections. The direct, concise communication style of the Lord in this passage emphasizes His authority and simple clarity, contrasting sharply with Sarah's faltering human response.

Genesis 18 15 Commentary

Genesis 18:15 is a pivotal verse, compressing profound theological and human truths. Sarah's denial, fueled by fear, highlights the natural human tendency to recoil from divine confrontation, especially when our internal thoughts or private reactions are exposed. Her laughter, initially an expression of disbelief at a promise defying natural possibility (Gen 18:12), is met with the omniscient gaze of the Lord. The Lord's response—"Nay; but thou didst laugh"—is not accusatory but a simple declaration of fact, demonstrating His total knowledge of hearts and minds (1 Sam 16:7). This encounter dispels any notion that human secrets or hidden doubts are unseen by God. It affirms the absolute truthfulness of God against any human falsehood or attempted concealment (Rom 3:4). Despite her disbelief and fear-driven denial, the divine promise to Sarah is not revoked but reinforced, pointing to God's grace and faithfulness that transcend human weakness. This episode prefigures the very name of her son, Isaac ("he laughs"), turning her laughter of doubt into one of future joy (Gen 21:6).