King James Version

What Does Genesis 18:13 Mean?

Genesis 18:13 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 18:13 · KJV

Context

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?

14

Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

15

Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.

Read Genesis 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child,... 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. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
לֵאמֹ֗ר1 of 14

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֖ה2 of 14

“And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל3 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַבְרָהָ֑ם4 of 14

“unto Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

לָ֣מָּה5 of 14

“Wherefore”

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

זֶּה֩6 of 14
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

צָֽחֲקָ֨ה7 of 14

“laugh”

H6711

to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn); by implication, to sport

שָׂרָ֜ה8 of 14

“did Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

לֵאמֹ֗ר9 of 14

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַאַ֥ף10 of 14
H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

אֻמְנָ֛ם11 of 14

“Shall I of a surety”

H552

truly

אֵלֵ֖ד12 of 14

“bear”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

וַֽאֲנִ֥י13 of 14

“a child which”

H589

i

זָקַֽנְתִּי׃14 of 14

“am old”

H2204

to be old

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 18:13 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 18:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 2:25

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