King James Version

What Does Genesis 18:11 Mean?

Genesis 18:11 in the King James Version says “Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 18:11 · KJV

Context

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?

13

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

Read Genesis 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the ma... 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).

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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 understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וְאַבְרָהָ֤ם1 of 10

“Now Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

לְשָׂרָ֔ה2 of 10

“and Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

זְקֵנִ֔ים3 of 10

“were old”

H2205

old

בָּאִ֖ים4 of 10

“and well stricken”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בַּיָּמִ֑ים5 of 10

“in age”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

חָדַל֙6 of 10

“and it ceased”

H2308

properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle

לִֽהְי֣וֹת7 of 10
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְשָׂרָ֔ה8 of 10

“and Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

אֹ֖רַח9 of 10

“after the manner”

H734

a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan

כַּנָּשִֽׁים׃10 of 10

“of women”

H802

a woman

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 18:11 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 18:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 17:17Hebrews 11:11-12Luke 1:36Romans 4:18-21Genesis 17:24Luke 1:7

Test Your Knowledge

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

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