Genesis 21:6

6 Sarah said, "God has brought me joy and laughter. Everyone who hears about it will laugh with me."

Genesis 21:6 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 21:6

And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh
This she said on occasion of the name of her son Isaac, which name her husband had given him by divine direction, and to which she assented. This doubtless brought to her mind her former laughing, when she first heard that she should have a son, which was in a way of diffidence and distrust; but now God having given her a son, laid a foundation for laughter of another kind, for real, solid, joy and thankfulness: [so that] all that hear will laugh with me;
not laugh at her, and deride her, as Piscator interprets it; but congratulate her, and rejoice with her on this occasion, as on a like one the neighbours of Elisabeth did with her, ( Luke 1:58 ) .

Genesis 21:6 In-Context

4 and when Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded.
5 Abraham was a hundred years old when Isaac was born.
6 Sarah said, "God has brought me joy and laughter. Everyone who hears about it will laugh with me."
7 Then she added, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."
8 The child grew, and on the day that he was weaned, Abraham gave a great feast.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. laughter: [The name Isaac in Hebrew means "he laughs" (see also 17.17-19).]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.