King James Version

What Does Genesis 18:10 Mean?

Genesis 18:10 in the King James Version says “And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.”

Genesis 18:10 · KJV

Context

8

And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.

9

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

10

And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

11

Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

12

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

Read Genesis 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wif... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How should this truth about Intercession for Sodom shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר1 of 16

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אָשׁ֤וּב2 of 16

“I will certainly”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אָשׁ֤וּב3 of 16

“I will certainly”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙4 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּעֵ֣ת5 of 16

“unto thee according to the time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

חַיָּ֔ה6 of 16

“of life”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

וְהִנֵּה7 of 16
H2009

lo!

בֵ֖ן8 of 16

“shall have a son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְשָׂרָ֥ה9 of 16

“And Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

אִשְׁתֶּ֑ךָ10 of 16

“thy wife”

H802

a woman

וְשָׂרָ֥ה11 of 16

“And Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

שֹׁמַ֛עַת12 of 16

“heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

פֶּ֥תַח13 of 16

“door”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

הָאֹ֖הֶל14 of 16

“it in the tent”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

וְה֥וּא15 of 16
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

אַֽחֲרָֽיו׃16 of 16

“which was behind him”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 18:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 18:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 21:2Genesis 17:21Romans 9:8-9Genesis 17:16Genesis 17:192 Kings 4:16-17

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 18 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Genesis 18 with CommentaryAll Genesis ChaptersComplete Genesis QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes