Genesis 18:11

11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.

Genesis 18:11 in Other Translations

KJV
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
ESV
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.
NLT
11 Abraham and Sarah were both very old by this time, and Sarah was long past the age of having children.
MSG
11 Abraham and Sarah were old by this time, very old. Sarah was far past the age for having babies.
CSB
11 Abraham and Sarah were old and getting on in years. Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.

Genesis 18:11 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 18:11

Now Abraham and Sarah [were] old, [and] well stricken in
age
The one being ninety nine years of age, and the other eighty nine; and which is observed to make it the more surprising that they should have a son at such an age; and what follows still makes it more so: [and] it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women;
her monthly visitors had left her, so that she was unfit for conception, and there could be no hope of it in a natural way; though the philosopher F23 intimates, that there are some, that it is possible, may conceive without them.


FOOTNOTES:

F23 Aristot. Hist. Animal. l. 7. c. 2.

Genesis 18:11 In-Context

9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said.
10 Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.
11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.
12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”
13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Genesis 17:17; Luke 1:18
  • 2. S Genesis 11:30; Romans 4:19; Hebrews 11:11-12
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