King James Version

What Does Genesis 21:6 Mean?

Genesis 21:6 in the King James Version says “And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.”

Genesis 21:6 · KJV

Context

4

And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.

5

And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.

6

And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.

7

And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.

8

And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.

Read Genesis 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.... 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. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 10

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׂרָ֔ה2 of 10

“And Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

צְחֹ֕ק3 of 10

“me to laugh”

H6712

laughter (in pleasure or derision)

עָ֥שָׂה4 of 10

“hath made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לִ֖י5 of 10
H0
אֱלֹהִ֑ים6 of 10

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

כָּל7 of 10
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַשֹּׁמֵ֖עַ8 of 10

“so that all that hear”

H8085

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

יִֽצְחַק9 of 10

“will laugh”

H6711

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

לִֽי׃10 of 10
H0

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 21:6 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 21:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 126:2Isaiah 54:1Genesis 17:17Luke 1:58Isaiah 49:21Luke 1:14

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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