Genesis 18:9 kjv

And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.

Genesis 18:9 nkjv

Then they said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" So he said, "Here, in the tent."

Genesis 18:9 niv

"Where is your wife Sarah?" they asked him. "There, in the tent," he said.

Genesis 18:9 esv

They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" And he said, "She is in the tent."

Genesis 18:9 nlt

"Where is Sarah, your wife?" the visitors asked. "She's inside the tent," Abraham replied.

Genesis 18 verses

Genesis 18 9 Meaning

Genesis 18:9 depicts a moment where the three divine visitors, after being served by Abraham, direct their attention and inquiry toward Sarah, Abraham's wife. Their question, "Where is Sarah your wife?", demonstrates their supernatural awareness of Abraham's household details and directly precedes the re-affirmation of the promise of a son, Isaac. Abraham's immediate reply, "Behold, in the tent," confirms her presence nearby, setting the stage for Sarah's own direct encounter with the divine word and her subsequent laughter of disbelief.

Genesis 18 9 Context

Genesis chapter 18 opens with "the Lord appeared to Abraham" (Gen 18:1), immediately setting a divine tone for the narrative. Three "men" subsequently visit Abraham, who shows them exemplary hospitality, typical of ancient Near Eastern customs. They partake of food and rest under Abraham's oak. This verse, Gen 18:9, marks a turning point from general hospitality to a specific, deeply personal engagement with Abraham regarding the Abrahamic covenant. It occurs immediately before the divine declaration to Abraham about Sarah conceiving a son (Gen 18:10) and Sarah's subsequent, unseen laughter (Gen 18:12). The broader context includes God's earlier promise to Abraham concerning numerous descendants and land, but specific to this moment, the focus is on the long-awaited heir through Sarah, now elderly and barren, in a nomadic tent-dwelling setting where family and lineage were paramount. The presence of Sarah in the tent highlights the private, domestic sphere as the site of this profound divine intervention.

Genesis 18 9 Word analysis

• And (וַ, va-): Connects the narrative seamlessly, indicating a natural progression of the conversation.
• they (וַיֹּאמְרוּ, vayyomeru, from אָמַר, amar, to say): The plural pronoun indicates the three visitors are speaking collectively, showing their unified purpose and identity. The verb form implies immediate action following the previous scene.
• said: Simple past tense, showing direct communication.
• to him (אֵלָיו, elav): Referring to Abraham, highlighting him as the direct recipient of their question.
• "Where (אַיֵּה, ayyeh): An interrogative particle seeking a location. This is not a casual question; its precision suggests prior knowledge and specific intent, implying omniscience.
• is Sarah (שָׂרָה, sarah): The specific mention of her name signifies familiarity with Abraham's family details, beyond what mere travelers would possess. Sarah means "princess," prophetically given to her by God earlier (Gen 17:15) as a testament to her future royal lineage through her promised son.
• your wife (אִשְׁתְּךָ, ishtekha): This further personalizes the question, establishing her relationship to Abraham. It directly concerns the couple involved in the covenant promise of offspring.
• "And he (וַיֹּאמֶר, vayyomer, from אָמַר, amar, to say): The singular pronoun clearly indicates Abraham's reply.
• said: Direct answer from Abraham.
• "Behold (הִנֵּה, hinneh): An interjection used to draw attention or indicate proximity, often implying, "here she is" or "lo and behold." It indicates something evident or about to be significant.
• in the tent (בָּאֹהֶל, ba'ohel): Indicates her physical location. The tent symbolized privacy and the domestic sphere in a nomadic culture. Her presence there means she is within earshot of the ensuing divine pronouncement.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And they said to him, 'Where is Sarah your wife?'": This is a profound inquiry. It moves the conversation from Abraham's hospitality to the specific, critical detail of his barren wife, the one through whom God’s promise of an heir must come. The precise knowledge displayed by the "men"—knowing Sarah's name, her marital status, and expecting her presence—strongly points to their divine nature. It sets up the critical moment for the renewed promise concerning her, ensuring she is present to hear and react to the revelation.
• "And he said, 'Behold, in the tent.'": Abraham's immediate, straightforward answer confirms her presence and accessibility. The "tent" represents her private dwelling place, emphasizing that she is physically secluded yet, crucially, within earshot, allowing the upcoming conversation to include her indirectly, thereby provoking her response. This concise response underscores Abraham's openness and trust towards his guests, reinforcing the theme of hospitality and obedience.

Genesis 18 9 Bonus section

• Divine Initiative: The "men" (the Lord) take the initiative to inquire about Sarah. This shows that God is not waiting for Abraham to bring up the topic of their barrenness but is actively pursuing the fulfillment of His covenant promise, demonstrating His deep personal investment in their family lineage.
• Anticipation and Tension: This simple question builds anticipation for what is to follow. It subtly highlights Sarah's critical, though initially passive, role in the impending miracle. The dramatic tension is between God's clear, repeated promise and Sarah’s long-standing barrenness, which the question helps to bring to the forefront.
• Privacy and Public Declaration: Sarah is in the privacy of the tent, yet the divine declaration made outside is loud enough for her to hear, demonstrating that God's word transcends human barriers of privacy or social convention. What is declared outside the tent to Abraham is intended to be heard and believed inside the tent by Sarah.

Genesis 18 9 Commentary

Genesis 18:9 is far more than a simple query about location; it's a critical dramatic pivot in the narrative of Abraham and Sarah, highlighting the direct involvement of God in their lives. The divine visitors' knowledge of Sarah's name and relationship, unprompted, signals their supernatural identity and omniscience. Their question "Where is Sarah your wife?" isn't born of ignorance but purpose: to precisely target the object of the impending miraculous promise and to draw Sarah into the narrative directly, making her an eavesdropper of God's impossible word. Abraham’s reply, "Behold, in the tent," confirms Sarah's accessibility within her domestic space, setting the stage for her overheard, faithless laughter (Gen 18:12) that then occasions God's direct challenge: "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" (Gen 18:14). This verse thus initiates the direct confrontation of divine power with human doubt, affirming that God is personally concerned with individuals and faithful to accomplish His promises, even within the confines of private, ordinary lives. It serves as a reminder that God’s plans are meticulous, and His knowledge is absolute, reaching into every corner of human existence.