A Son Promised to Sarah
Genesis 18:1-15
Gen.18.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- באלני: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ממרא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- ישב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האהל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כחם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Genesis 12:7 (verbal): Same verbal formula of divine appearance (וירא יהוה אל־אברם) and occurrence at a notable tree/site (oak of Moreh), linking Abram/Abraham-era theophanies to a tree locale.
- Genesis 17:1 (verbal): Repeated formula 'the LORD appeared to Abram' (וירא אליו יהוה) introducing a covenantal revelation—parallel in diction and theophanic framework.
- Judges 6:11-12 (thematic): An angel/manifestation of the LORD appears by a tree (an oak) to a chief figure (Gideon); shares the motif of a divine visitor at an outdoor, tree‑adjacent setting near a household.
- Exodus 3:2-6 (thematic): Theophany motif—divine presence appears to a patriarchal figure in a specific natural locale (burning bush); echoes the pattern of God’s direct manifestation to a human at a distinctive outdoor site.
Alternative generated candidates
- And YHWH appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he was sitting at the entrance of the tent in the heat of the day.
- And YHWH appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, and he was sitting at the entrance of the tent in the heat of the day.
Gen.18.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עיניו: NOUN,f,pl,suff
- וירא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- והנה: ADV
- שלשה: NUM,m
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נצבים: ADJ,masc,pl,abs
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- וירא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- וירץ: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לקראתם: PREP,3,m,pl
- מפתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האהל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישתחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.19:1 (verbal): Same narrative motif of heavenly visitors standing at the entrance of a town/house and a resident running out to meet them; Genesis 19 continues the hospitality episode with Lot and two angels, echoing the verbs and scene.
- Exod.18:7 (verbal): Moses goes out to meet his visiting father‑in‑law at the tent entrance and bows—similar language and the gesture of meeting and bowing at the tent door, a parallel social/ritual form of greeting.
- Judg.13:3–21 (thematic): An appearance of a divine messenger to a family and the offering of hospitality (Manoah and his wife); shares the motif of a theophanic visitor who appears as a man and elicits human hospitality and wonder.
- Heb.13:2 (allusion): Explicitly urges hospitality to strangers with the example that some entertained angels unaware—an early Christian reflection on the Abrahamic visitation story and its moral/theological lesson.
- Luke 24:28–30 (thematic): The Emmaus scene: travelers invite a stranger in, share a meal, and then recognize him—parallels the pattern of hospitality leading to revelation and recognition present in Abraham’s reception of the visitors.
Alternative generated candidates
- He lifted his eyes and saw, and behold, three men were standing near him; and he saw and ran to meet them from the entrance of the tent and bowed to the ground.
- And he lifted his eyes and saw, and look—three men standing near him; and he saw and ran to meet them from the entrance of the tent, and he bowed to the ground.
Gen.18.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- אם: CONJ
- נא: PART
- מצאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- חן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- אל: NEG
- נא: PART
- תעבר: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms
- מעל: PREP
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
Parallels
- Genesis 18:4-5 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same hospitality scene — Abraham presses the visitors not to pass on and promptly offers water, rest, and food (same pericope and action).
- Genesis 6:8 (verbal): Uses the same root and formula of 'finding favour/grace in the eyes' (מצא חן) — Noah 'found grace in the eyes of the LORD,' a parallel verbal motif of divine favor/acceptance.
- Exodus 33:17 (verbal): God tells Moses 'you have found favour in my sight' (מצא חן בעיני), the same phraseology applied here to being accepted or shown favor before another.
- Hebrews 13:2 (thematic): New Testament exhortation to show hospitality to strangers: 'some have entertained angels unawares,' an explicit thematic echo of Abraham's welcome of mysterious visitors.
- Matthew 25:35 (thematic): Jesus' teaching that welcoming strangers is serving the Lord ('I was a stranger and you welcomed me') — connects Abraham's act of hospitality with the moral/theological valuation of welcoming guests.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, My lord, if I have now found favor in your eyes, do not, please, pass by your servant.
- And he said, My lord, if now I have found favor in your eyes, please do not pass by your servant.
Gen.18.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יקח: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- נא: PART
- מעט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ורחצו: VERB,qal,imperative,2,m,pl
- רגליכם: NOUN,f,pl,suff
- והשענו: VERB,hitpael,imperative,2,m,pl
- תחת: PREP
- העץ: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Gen.19:2 (verbal): Lot meets the angelic visitors, bows, and offers to fetch water to wash their feet and to prepare food—nearly identical language and action of providing foot‑washing and refreshment for strangers.
- Hebrews 13:2 (allusion): Commands hospitality to strangers with the explicit reminder that some who showed hospitality entertained angels unawares—an explicit interpretive allusion to the Abrahamic/angel‑visitors tradition (Gen 18–19).
- John 13:5 (thematic): Jesus pours water and washes his disciples' feet—uses the same foot‑washing motif to signify service and hospitality/servanthood, echoing the cultural practice reflected in Genesis 18:4.
- 2 Kings 4:8-10 (thematic): The Shunammite woman provides a furnished room and sustenance for the prophet Elisha—parallel in hospitality to a revered visitor, offering rest and provisions as in Abraham’s welcome.
- 1 Samuel 25:18-20 (thematic): Abigail quickly prepares food and meets David with provisions and respectful service—a comparable scene of prompt, hospitable provision of food and refreshment to an arriving guest.
Alternative generated candidates
- Let, please, a little water be taken, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.
- Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.
Gen.18.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואקחה: VERB,qal,imf,1,c,sg
- פת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וסעדו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- לבכם: NOUN,m,sg,suff,2,m,pl
- אחר: PREP
- תעברו: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- עברתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- על: PREP
- עבדכם: NOUN,m,sg,suff,2,m,pl
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כן: ADV
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- דברת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Hebrews 13:2 (allusion): Explicitly invokes the tradition of entertaining strangers/angels ("some have entertained angels unawares"), which directly echoes Abraham's hospitality to the heavenly visitors in Genesis 18.
- Genesis 19:1-3 (structural): A near-narrative parallel: Lot's reception of two divine visitors in Sodom repeats the scene of strangers arriving and being hosted, highlighting different outcomes and moral contrasts with Abraham's welcome.
- Judges 19:16-24 (structural): A darkly contrasting hospitality episode in which a traveler is hosted but the town's violence corrupts the guest-host relationship; serves as a foil to Abraham's protective, generous reception of strangers.
- Matthew 25:35 (thematic): Jesus' identification of righteous action with offering lodging and food to strangers ("I was a stranger and you welcomed me") reflects the theological ethic of hospitality exemplified in Genesis 18.
- Romans 12:13 (thematic): Paul's injunction to "contribute to the needs of the saints" and "practice hospitality" echoes the practical, communal importance of welcoming and feeding guests shown in Abraham's behavior.
Alternative generated candidates
- And let me bring a morsel of bread, and refresh your hearts; afterward you may pass on—for this is why you have passed by your servant. And they said, So do, as you have spoken.
- And let me bring a morsel of bread, and refresh your heart; afterward you may pass on—for that is why you have passed by your servant. And they said, So do, as you have spoken.
Gen.18.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימהר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האהלה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: PREP
- שרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מהרי: VERB,hiphil,impv,2,f,sg
- שלש: NUM,card,f,sg
- סאים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- קמח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סלת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לושי: VERB,piel,impv,2,f,sg
- ועשי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- עגות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 19:3 (verbal): Lot 'made them a feast, and did bake unleavened cakes' — direct verbal and situational parallel: host prepares baked cakes for unexpected/angelic visitors, echoing Genesis 18:6.
- Judges 19:5-6 (thematic): A householder 'made him a feast' and provided lodging for a traveler — parallels the hospitality sequence in Gen 18 (food, shelter, care) typical of ancient Near Eastern guest-right.
- 1 Samuel 25:18-19, 35 (thematic): Abigail rapidly prepares and brings food/provisions to David to avert crisis — parallels Abraham's prompt command to Sarah to prepare food for important guests (food as immediate, practical hospitality and peacemaking).
- 1 Kings 19:6 (verbal): An angel touches Elijah and says 'Arise and eat'; the text mentions bread/cake — a verbal and functional parallel in which baked food sustains a weary traveler/servant of God.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Abraham hurried to the tent, to Sarah, and said, Hurry—three seahs of fine flour; knead it and make cakes.
- And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah and said, Hurry! Three seahs of fine flour; knead it and make cakes.
Gen.18.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- הבקר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- רץ: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אברהם: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויקח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- בקר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רך: ADJ,m,sg
- וטוב: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: PREP
- הנער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וימהר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
Parallels
- Genesis 18:1-8 (structural): Immediate context: the same hospitality scene — Abraham meets three visitors, hastens to prepare a meal (fetching and dressing a calf) and serves them; 18:7 is part of this unit and mirrors the action described in surrounding verses.
- Genesis 19:3 (thematic): Lot also receives angelic visitors and prepares a meal for them, showing a parallel motif of urgent hospitality to strangers/visitors in patriarchal narratives.
- 2 Kings 4:8-10 (thematic): The Shunammite woman prepares a furnished room and provisions for the prophet Elisha; like Abraham she attends to a guest/holy person by providing food and accommodation, reflecting prophetic/ritual hospitality traditions.
- Hebrews 13:2 (allusion): 'Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels unawares.' This New Testament admonition echoes the Abrahamic hospitality motif and is commonly read as an allusion to Genesis 18 (and Genesis 19).
- Matthew 25:35-40 (thematic): Jesus' teaching that ministering to strangers (feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger) is service to him parallels the ethical/hospitality theme in Abraham's feeding of visitors — hospitality as moral duty and recognition of the sacred in guests.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant; and he hurried to prepare it.
- And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant; and he hastened to prepare it.
Gen.18.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- חמאה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וחלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הבקר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לפניהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- והוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- עמד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- תחת: PREP
- העץ: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Gen.19:3 (thematic): Lot meets angelic visitors, prepares a meal and has them eat in his house—closely parallels Abraham’s hospitality to divine strangers and the serving of food.
- Judg.13:15-20 (thematic): Manoah offers a kid and prepares an offering for the angel of the LORD; like Genesis 18, an encounter with a heavenly visitor is accompanied by provision/meal and sacrificial action.
- 2 Kgs.4:8-10 (thematic): The Shunammite woman provides food and a room for the prophet Elisha—another episode where hospitality to a holy/prophetic figure results in blessing and sustained service.
- 1 Sam.25:18-20 (thematic): Abigail brings bread, wine and provisions to David and his men; parallels include urgent provision of food to unexpected guests and the social/peacemaking role of shared meals.
- Luke 24:30 (allusion): At Emmaus Jesus is recognized in the breaking of bread—the meal functions as the moment of revelation, resonating with Genesis 18 where the visitors’ identity and message unfold in the context of a shared meal.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he took curds and milk, and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.
- And he took curds and milk, and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he was standing by them under the tree, and they ate.
Gen.18.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- איה: ADV,interr
- שרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- באהל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 18:10 (structural): Immediate continuation: after asking 'Where is Sarah?', the visitors announce that Sarah will bear a son — the question sets up the birth promise and the ensuing dialogue.
- Genesis 17:19 (verbal): Earlier divine promise that 'Sarah your wife shall bear you a son' — same promise-language repeated here, linking the visit to the covenantal promise to Abraham and Sarah.
- Genesis 21:1-2 (thematic): Fulfillment of the announcement: Sarah conceives and bears Isaac, connecting the visitors' inquiry about Sarah with the outcome of God's promise.
- Luke 1:13-20 (thematic): Angelic announcement to the elderly couple Zechariah and Elizabeth that they will have a son (John); parallels the motif of heavenly visitors proclaiming a miraculous birth to an aged/previously barren wife.
- Judges 13:3-5 (thematic): An angelic message promises a miraculous birth to Manoah’s barren wife (Samson’s mother); parallels include a divine visitor announcing a special son to a woman who had borne no children.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they said to him, Where is Sarah your wife? And he said, There, in the tent.
- And they said to him, Where is Sarah your wife? And he said, Look, in the tent.
Gen.18.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שוב: ADV
- אשוב: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,?,sg
- אליך: PREP,2,m,sg
- כעת: ADV
- חיה: ADV
- והנה: CONJ
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשרה: PREP,3,f,sg
- אשתך: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- ושרה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שמעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האהל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- אחריו: PREP,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Gen.17:15-19 (verbal): Earlier divine promise that Sarai (renamed Sarah) will bear a son (Isaac); same promise reiterated here (name and son specified).
- Gen.18:9-15 (structural): Immediate context: Sarah overhears the visitors' announcement and laughs; the episode of disbelief and rebuke directly follows v.10.
- Gen.21:1-3 (structural): Fulfillment of the promise: Sarah conceives and gives birth to Isaac, showing outcome of the announcement in Gen 18:10.
- Luke 1:26-38 (thematic): Announcement of a miraculous birth by an angel (Mary/Jesus) parallels theme of divine announcement of an unexpected son and the motif that God makes the impossible happen.
- Hebrews 11:11 (allusion): New Testament reflection on Sarah’s faith and receiving power to conceive, explicitly interpreting the Gen 18 promise as an act of faith and divine enablement.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, I will surely return to you at the appointed time, about this time next year, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son. And Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent, which was behind him.
- And he said, I will surely return to you at this time next year, and look—a son for Sarah your wife. And Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent, which was behind him.
Gen.18.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואברהם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- זקנים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- באים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- בימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- חדל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- לשרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ארח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כנשים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Gen.17:17 (structural): Also records Abraham’s advanced age on hearing God’s promise and sets up the problem of childlessness in old age—same narrative stress on both husband and wife being 'old.'
- Gen.18:12 (verbal): Immediate literary parallel: Sarah’s remark and laughter about bearing a child directly responds to her being 'past the age'—the same idea expressed in 18:11.
- Gen.21:1–3 (thematic): Narrative fulfillment: despite being 'old' and Sarah’s prior barrenness, she conceives and bears Isaac, resolving the situation described in 18:11.
- Rom.4:19 (allusion): Paul alludes to the 'deadness' of Sarah’s womb and the couple’s advanced age when discussing faith and God’s promise, echoing the predicament stated in Gen 18:11.
- Heb.11:11 (allusion): The author celebrates Sarah’s faith in conceiving in old age—an interpretive retelling of the same reality highlighted in 18:11 (Sarah ‘ceased to be’ a childbearing woman).
Alternative generated candidates
- And Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in days; the way of women had ceased for Sarah.
- Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in days; the way of women had ceased for Sarah.
Gen.18.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותצחק: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- שרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בקרבה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- אחרי: PREP
- בלתי: NEG
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- עדנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואדני: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- זקן: ADJ,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 21:6 (verbal): Sarah again speaks of laughter at the birth of Isaac — uses the same verb for 'laugh' and frames the earlier skeptical laugh as reversed in joy.
- Genesis 17:17 (verbal): Abraham 'laughed' when promised a son in old age — same verb and motif of incredulous laughter at a divine promise of offspring.
- Genesis 18:13–15 (quotation): God directly addresses Sarah's secret laugh and the content of her question, confronting her disbelief in the very words she spoke within herself.
- Luke 1:18–20 (thematic): Zechariah's skeptical response to the angelic announcement that he and his elderly wife will have a son parallels Sarah's incredulous laughter and the theme of doubt before a promised birth.
- 1 Samuel 1:20 (thematic): Hannah's transition from barrenness to motherhood echoes the theme of an initially barren woman who eventually bears a child, comparable to Sarah's situation and the surrounding narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am worn out, shall I have delight, and my lord is old?
- So Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am worn out, shall I have delight? And my lord is old.
Gen.18.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: PREP
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למה: ADV
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- צחקה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- שרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לאמר: VERB,qal,inf
- האף: PART
- אמנם: PART
- אלד: VERB,qal,imperf,1,f,sg
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- זקנתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,f,sg
Parallels
- Gen.17.17 (verbal): Abraham also 'laughed' (שָׂחַק) at the promise of a son — an immediate verbal parallel highlighting laughter in response to the birth promise.
- Gen.18.10-15 (structural): The surrounding verses contain the angelic announcement and Sarah's secret laughter; 18:13 is part of this scene where God confronts Abraham about Sarah's reaction.
- Gen.18.14 (thematic): God's rhetorical question 'Is anything too hard for the LORD?' answers the doubt implied by Sarah's laughter and affirms divine power to fulfill the promise.
- Gen.21.6 (verbal): After Isaac's birth Sarah declares 'God has made me laugh' — a later reversal of the earlier laughter, turning incredulous laughter into joy.
- Heb.11.11 (allusion): The New Testament treats Sarah's bearing a child in old age as an act of faith; this verse alludes to and reinterprets the Genesis episode (including her earlier laughter) in theological terms.
Alternative generated candidates
- And YHWH said to Abraham, Why is it that Sarah laughed, saying, Shall I indeed truly bear, when I am old?
- And YHWH said to Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I indeed bear, when I am old?
Gen.18.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- היפלא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מיהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למועד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשוב: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- כעת: ADV
- חיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- ולשרה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 21:1-2 (structural): Narrative fulfillment of the promise in 18:14 — God brings about Sarah’s conception and the birth of Isaac at the appointed time.
- Jeremiah 32:27 (verbal): God’s rhetorical question 'Is anything too hard for Me?' closely echoes the language and theme of divine omnipotence found in Genesis 18:14.
- Luke 1:37 (verbal): The angel’s statement 'For nothing will be impossible with God' echoes Genesis 18:14’s affirmation of God’s power to accomplish what seems humanly impossible.
- Romans 4:18-21 (thematic): Paul reflects on Abraham’s faith in God’s promise despite natural impossibilities, using Sarah’s conception as an example of God’s power to give life where human strength is exhausted.
- Hebrews 11:11 (thematic): The author attributes Sarah’s ability to bear a child to faith and God’s promise, linking the event of Genesis 18:14 to the theme of trusting God’s power against human impossibility.
Alternative generated candidates
- Is anything too wondrous for YHWH? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.
- Is anything too hard for YHWH? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.
Gen.18.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותכחש: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- שרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal
- לא: PART_NEG
- צחקתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- כי: CONJ
- יראה: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- כי: CONJ
- צחקת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Gen.18:12-13 (structural): Immediate context: Sarah had laughed inwardly at the visitors' promise (v.12) and God challenges that laugh (v.13), directly connected to her denial in v.15.
- Gen.21:6-7 (thematic): Later reflection on the same episode: Sarah's laughter becomes the basis for Isaac's name and celebrates the fulfillment of the promised child after her previous incredulity.
- Gen.17:17 (verbal): Abraham also laughs on hearing God's promise of a son in old age; parallels of laughter as a response to an unexpected divine promise.
- Luke 1:18-20 (allusion): Zechariah's questioning of Gabriel about a promised conception in old age and the angel's rebuke/response echo the disbelief-rebuke pattern found in Sarah's laugh and denial.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Sarah denied, saying, I did not laugh—for she was afraid. And he said, No, but you did laugh.
- Then Sarah denied, saying, I did not laugh—for she was afraid. And he said, No, but you did laugh.
And YHWH appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of the tent in the heat of the day. And he lifted his eyes and saw, and behold, three men were standing before him; and he saw and ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them, and he bowed himself to the ground. And he said, My lord, if now I have found favor in your eyes, do not, I pray, pass by your servant.
Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and recline under the tree. And I will bring a morsel of bread, and refresh your hearts; after that you may pass on—for therefore you have passed by your servant. And they said, So do, as you have spoken. And Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, Hurry! Three seahs of fine flour—knead it and make cakes. And Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hurried to prepare it. And he took curds and milk, and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they ate. And they said to him, Where is Sarah your wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. And he said, I will surely return to you at this season next year, and behold—Sarah your wife shall have a son. And Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in days; the way of women had ceased for Sarah. And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I have become worn out, shall I have delight—and my lord is old? And YHWH said to Abraham, Why then did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I indeed truly bear, now that I am old?
Is anything too wondrous for YHWH? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this season next year, and Sarah shall have a son. And Sarah denied, saying, I did not laugh, for she was afraid. And he said, No; but you did laugh.