The Meaning of Genesis 18:12 Explained

Genesis 18:12

KJV: Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

YLT: and Abraham and Sarah are aged, entering into days -- the way of women hath ceased to be to Sarah;

Darby: And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am become old, shall I have pleasure, and my lord old?

ASV: And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Therefore Sarah  laughed  within herself,  saying,  After  I am waxed old  shall I have pleasure,  my lord  being old also? 

What does Genesis 18:12 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Sarah"s laugh sprang from a spirit of unbelief due to long disappointment, as is clear from the Lord"s response to it ( Genesis 18:14). Abraham"s laugh ( Genesis 17:17) did not draw such a response.

Context Summary

Genesis 18:1-15 - Abraham Entertains Heavenly Visitors
The Son of God is the central figure here. He loves the homes of men. It has ever been His wont to visit the homes and hearts of those who love him. See Proverbs 8:31. Abraham knew well that the High and Lofty One, who inhabits eternity, had come to dwell with him. Others might see only three men, but he recognized his divine friend, addressing Him as "My Lord;" and when the two angels went forward alone to do their awful work in Sodom, he entered into close converse with the wondrous central figure, who remained with him still. He gave personal service, and so did Sarah. They gave their very best, fine, tender, and good. And in their love the Lord found satisfaction and rest. But remember that He still stands at the door and knocks. Ponder John 14:23; Revelation 3:20. Christ tells His secrets to those He loves. His proposals and promises are so great that we can almost laugh with incredulity, but the question of Genesis 18:14 is answered by Jeremiah 32:17. Reckon on God's faithfulness; He cannot fail those who trust Him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 18

1  The Lord appears to Abraham, who entertains angels
9  Sarah is reproved for laughing at the promise of a son
16  The destruction of Sodom is revealed to Abraham
23  Abraham makes intercession for its inhabitants

What do the individual words in Genesis 18:12 mean?

Therefore laughed Sarah within herself saying after I have grown old shall I have to me pleasure and my master being old
וַתִּצְחַ֥ק שָׂרָ֖ה בְּקִרְבָּ֣הּ לֵאמֹ֑ר אַחֲרֵ֤י בְלֹתִי֙ הָֽיְתָה־ לִּ֣י עֶדְנָ֔ה וַֽאדֹנִ֖י זָקֵֽן

וַתִּצְחַ֥ק  Therefore  laughed 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: צָחַק  
Sense: to laugh, mock, play.
שָׂרָ֖ה  Sarah 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: שָׂרָה  
Sense: wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac.
בְּקִרְבָּ֣הּ  within  herself 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person feminine singular
Root: קֶרֶב  
Sense: midst, among, inner part, middle.
לֵאמֹ֑ר  saying 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אַחֲרֵ֤י  after 
Parse: Preposition
Root: אַחַר 
Sense: after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time).
בְלֹתִי֙  I  have  grown  old 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct, first person common singular
Root: בָּלָה  
Sense: to wear out, become old.
הָֽיְתָה־  shall  I  have 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person feminine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
לִּ֣י  to  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
עֶדְנָ֔ה  pleasure 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: עֵדֶן 
Sense: luxury, dainty, delight, finery.
וַֽאדֹנִ֖י  and  my  master 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: אָדֹון  
Sense: firm, strong, lord, master.
זָקֵֽן  being  old 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: זָקֵן  
Sense: to be old, become old.