King James Version

What Does Genesis 18:14 Mean?

Genesis 18:14 in the King James Version says “Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sa...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 18:14 · KJV

Context

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.

16

And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.

Read Genesis 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the ... 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 theological truths about Divine Visitation emerge from this passage?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
הֲיִפָּלֵ֥א1 of 10

“Is”

H6381

properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful

מֵֽיְהוָ֖ה2 of 10

“for the LORD”

H3068

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

דָּבָ֑ר3 of 10

“any thing”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

לַמּוֹעֵ֞ד4 of 10

“At the time appointed”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

אָשׁ֥וּב5 of 10

“I will return”

H7725

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

אֵלֶ֛יךָ6 of 10
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּעֵ֥ת7 of 10

“unto thee according to the time”

H6256

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

חַיָּ֖ה8 of 10

“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

וּלְשָׂרָ֥ה9 of 10

“and Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

בֵֽן׃10 of 10

“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

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 18:14 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 18:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 1:37Matthew 19:26Mark 10:27Jeremiah 32:27Ephesians 3:20Job 42:2

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