The Meaning of Genesis 18:13 Explained

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?

YLT: and Sarah laugheth in her heart, saying, 'After I have waxed old I have had pleasure! -- my lord also is old!'

Darby: And Jehovah said to Abraham, Why is this, that Sarah laughs, saying, Shall I indeed bear, when I am become old?

ASV: And Jehovah said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, who am old?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And the LORD  said  unto Abraham,  Wherefore  did Sarah  laugh,  saying,  Shall I of a surety  bear  a child, which  am old? 

What does Genesis 18:13 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The fact that the Lord knew Sarah had laughed and knew her thoughts demonstrated his supernatural knowledge to Abraham and Sarah. This would have strengthened their faith in what He told them.

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 18:13 mean?

And said Yahweh to Abraham why this one did laugh Sarah saying shall surely I bear [a child] when I am am old
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־ אַבְרָהָ֑ם לָ֣מָּה זֶּה֩ צָחֲקָ֨ה שָׂרָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר הַאַ֥ף אֻמְנָ֛ם אֵלֵ֖ד וַאֲנִ֥י ؟ זָקַֽנְתִּי

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר  And  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
יְהוָ֖ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
אַבְרָהָ֑ם  Abraham 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַבְרָהָם  
Sense: friend of God and founder of Hebrew nation via God’s elective covenant.
לָ֣מָּה  why 
Parse: Interrogative
Root: לָמָּה 
Sense: what, how, of what kind.
זֶּה֩  this  one 
Parse: Pronoun, masculine singular
Root: זֶה  
Sense: this, this one, here, which, this … that, the one … the other, another, such.
צָחֲקָ֨ה  did  laugh 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person feminine singular
Root: צָחַק  
Sense: to laugh, mock, play.
שָׂרָ֜ה  Sarah 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: שָׂרָה  
Sense: wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac.
לֵאמֹ֗ר  saying 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אֻמְנָ֛ם  surely 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: אֻמְנָם  
Sense: verily, truly, indeed.
אֵלֵ֖ד  I  bear  [a  child] 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: יָלַד 
Sense: to bear, bring forth, beget, gender, travail.
וַאֲנִ֥י  when  I  am 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, first person common singular
Root: אֲנִי  
Sense: I (first pers.
؟ זָקַֽנְתִּי  am  old 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: זָקֵן  
Sense: to be old, become old.

What are the major concepts related to Genesis 18:13?

Loading Information...