Commentaries Dictionaries Concordances

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Genesis 18:12

Sarah laughed within herself This is the laughter, according to J, which furnished a reason for the name "Isaac"; and on that account it is here emphasized. See, for the reason in P, Genesis 17:17.

waxed old The word in the original is forcible, and is used elsewhere for worn-out raiment, e.g. "shall wax old like a garment," Psalms 102:26.

Continues after advertising

See also Genesis 18:12 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Genesis 18:12. _SARAH LAUGHED_] Partly through pleasure at the bare idea of the _possibility_ of the thing, and partly from a conviction that it was extremely _improbable_. She appears to have...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    - The Visit of the Lord to Abraham 2. השׂתחיה _vayı̂śtachû_ “bow,” or bend the body in token of respect to God or man. The attitude varies from a slight inclination of the body to entire prostratio...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 18 THE SIXTH COMMUNICATION AND JEHOVAH VISITS ABRAHAM _ 1. The manifestation (Genesis 18:1)_ 2. Abraham's welcome (Genesis 18:3) 3. The promise repeated (Genesis 18:9) 4. Sarah's laughter...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    At the midday siesta Abraham suddenly becomes aware that three men are standing near his tent. That they appear with such mysterious suddenness does not, however, suggest their true character to him....

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    GENESIS 12:1 TO GENESIS 25:18. THE STORY OF ABRAHAM. In this section the three main sources, J. E, P are present. Gunkel has given strong reasons for holding that J is here made up of two main sources...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    LAUGHED. See note on Genesis 17:17. AFTER. Figure of speech _Erotesis._ MY LORD. Hebrew. _Adon._ See App-4 and compare 1 Peter 3:6....

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    SARAH LAUGHED, &C.— It is universally agreed, that Sarah's was not a laugh of joy arising from the Divine promise, but a laughing springing from incredulity, as we think it appears that Abraham's was...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    PART THIRTY-ONE THE STORY OF ABRAHAM: THE PATRIARCH AS INTERCESSOR Genesis 18:1-33 1. _Abraham as the Gracious Host_ (Genesis 18:1-8) 1 And Jehovah appeared unto him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _AND THEY SAID UNTO HIM, WHERE IS SARAH THY WIFE? AND HE SAID, BEHOLD, IN THE TENT._ An enquiry about his wife, so surprising in strangers, the subject of conversation, and the announced fulfillment...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE VISIT OF THE ANGELS TO ABRAHAM. THE JUDGMENT OF SODOM ANNOUNCED. ABRAHAM INTERCEDES ON ITS BEHALF In this beautiful narrative the writer dwells on the unique revelations of God's purposes with whi...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    LAUGHED] in unbelief, not in joy....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    Sarah still did not know who the men were. And she thought that they joked....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOD’S ANCIENT PEOPLE GENESIS _ALUN OWEN_ CHAPTER 18 GOD VISITS ABRAHAM V1 The *Lord appeared to Abraham. Abraham was near to the big trees at Mamre. He sat at the door of his tent. It was in the...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    SARAH LAUGHED. — See Note on Genesis 17:17. The laughter of both husband and wife brings into prominence the inconceivable character of the fact. Sarah’s conduct has been very unjustly condemned. Thou...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    וַ תִּצְחַ֥ק שָׂרָ֖ה בְּ קִרְבָּ֣הּ לֵ אמֹ֑ר

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    ABRAHAM'S INTERCESSION FOR SODOM Genesis 18:1 THE scene with which this chapter opens is one familiar to the observer of nomad life in the East. During the scorching heat and glaring light of noon, w...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    ABRAHAM ENTERTAINS HEAVENLY VISITORS Genesis 18:1 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....

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    This is the account of the sixth appearance of God to Abraham. In it four phases of relationship between God and Abraham are revealed. God visited Abraham and Abraham provided for Him. God bestowed on...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    On the plains of Mamre, when Sarah heard she would have a son, "according to the time of life," she too laughed (Genesis 18:1-15). Sarah was old. She was past the age of conception. The Lord's respons...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    Therefore Sarah (g) laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? (g) For she believed the order of nature, rather than believing the promise of...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Laughed, as if the promise were incredible. --- My lord, or husband, which title of respect, 1 Peter iii. 6, commends. (Du Hamel)_...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Here the speaker is expressly called Jehovah; so in Genesis 18:17 and following vers...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    We have had hitherto God's account of that which He had made; then the trial and utter ruin of the creature, with the revelation of divine mercy in Christ the Lord. We have had in fine the judgment of...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    12._Therefore Sarah laughed within herself _Abraham had laughed before, as appears in the preceding chapter Genesis 17:1 : but the laughter of both was, by no means, similar. For Sarah is not transpor...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Chapter 18 is again a new unfolding of God's ways, here especially in connection with the seed, already in a general way, as part of God's purpose that it should be Abraham's seed according to grace a...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    THEREFORE SARAH LAUGHED WITHIN HERSELF,.... Not for joy of a son, and as pleased with it, believing so it would be; but as disbelieving it, and perhaps deriding it, and confuting it with a laugh, whic...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? Ver. 12. _Sarah laughed._] God's promises seem absurd and ridiculous, many of them,...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Sarah laughed within herself_ It was not a laughter of faith, like Abraham's, (Genesis 17:17,) but a laughter of doubting and distrust. The great objection which Sarah could not get over was her age....

  • KJV Original Language Details

    1 Abraham entertaineth three Angels. 9 Sarah is reproued for laughing at the strange promise. 17 The destruction of Sodome is reuealed to Abraham. 23 Abraham maketh intercession for the men thereof...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old, shall I have pleasure, as the result of the return to youthful vigor, MY LORD, MY HUSBAND, who is the head of the household, BEING...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THE SPECIFIC PROMISE OF ISAAC'S BIRTH...

  • Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures

    SEVENTH SECTION _Abraham in the Oak-Grove of Mamre, and the three Heavenly Men. Hospitality of Abraham. The definite announcement of the birth of a Son. Sarah’s Doubt. The announcement of the judgmen...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    A DIVINE VISITATION Though previous to this chapter we read twice of the Lord appearing to Abraham (ch.13:7; 17:1), we are not told in what way He appeared. Now, in chapter 18 we are faced with what i...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    9-15 Where is Sarah thy wife? was asked. Note the answer, In the tent. Just at hand, in her proper place, occupied in her household concerns. There is nothing got by gadding. Those are most likely to...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    SARAH LAUGHED WITHIN HERSELF; not from joy and admiration, but from distrust and contempt, as if it were incredible. Heb. _In her heart, _ i.e. she secretly derided it, though none but herself, as she...

  • Notes on the Pentateuch by Charles Henry Mackintosh

    This chapter affords a beautiful exemplification of the results of an obedient, separated walk. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to hi...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Genesis 18:12 Sarah H8283 laughed H6711 (H8799) herself H7130 saying H559 (H8800) After H310 old H1086 ...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “When I have grown old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”.' The words she overhears make Sarah laugh to herself. The idea is preposterous. The p...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Abraham, the friend of God. Promise of the seed renewed. The plea of Sodom. CHARACTERS: God, Sarah, Abraham. CONCLUSION: The closer the believer walks with God, the more he will know of Go...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Genesis 18:1. _The plains,_ or the oak, _of Mamre,_ which became a far-famed place, because of Abraham's intercourse with the heavenly guests. Genesis 18:2. _Three men._ The manners of the east, and t...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, Which am old?_ THE CONFLICT BETWEEN FEAR AND FAITH I. THE THINGS PROMISED SO FAITH ARE DIFFICULT OF RELIEF. 1. It is necessary...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 18:1 The Lord appears to Abraham and announces that Sarah will bear a son, ABOUT THIS TIME NEXT YEAR. ⇐...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 18:12 Sarah honors Abraham with a title of dignity and respect: MY LORD. 1 Peter 3:6 notes this, indicating that she is submitting to and obeying her h

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 18:9. In the tent.] In the women’s apartments. GENESIS 18:10. I WILL CERTAINLY RETURN UNTO THEE.] _Heb._ Returning I will return. An emphatic form of affirmation. ACCORDING T...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION GENESIS 18:1 AND THE LORD—_Jehovah_, the Divine name employed throughout the present and succeeding chapters, which are accordingly assigned to the Jehovist (Tuch, Bleek, Davidson, Colenso...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day (Genesis 18:1); And it can get awfully hot. And he lifted up his eyes and he looked, and, beh...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    laughed. Genesis 18:13 Genesis 17:17 Genesis 21:6 Genesis 21:7 Psalms 126

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Sarah laughed within herself — It was not a laughter of faith, like Abraham's, Genesis 17:17, but a laughter of doubting and distrust. The great objection which Sarah could not get over was her age. I...

Continues after advertising