Genesis 18:14

14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, in the spring, and Sarah shall have a son."

Genesis 18:14 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 18:14

Is anything too hard for the Lord?
&c.] Whose power is infinite; or "too wonderful" F24, so wonderful and beyond all belief, that it can never be thought it will be done by him; and why then should it be thought incredible or impossible that Sarah should have a child, though she is old? Or, is "anything hidden from the Lord" F25? Nothing can be, not Sarah's laughter. At the time appointed will I return to thee, according to the time of
life, and Sarah shall have a son;
which words are repeated not merely for the confirmation of Abraham's faith, which staggered not, but to remove Sarah's unbelief, and to encourage her faith in the divine promise.


FOOTNOTES:

F24 (alpyh) "nunquid mirabile vel mirificabitur", Munster, Piscator, Schmidt.
F25 "Nunquid abscondetur", Pagninus, Cartwright; "an potest occultari", Junius & Tremellius, Fagius; so the Targum of Jonathan and Aben Ezra.

Genesis 18:14 In-Context

12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?"
13 The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?'
14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, in the spring, and Sarah shall have a son."
15 But Sarah denied, saying, "I did not laugh"; for she was afraid. He said, "No, but you did laugh."
16 Then the men set out from there, and they looked toward Sodom; and Abraham went with them to set them on their way.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.