Genesis 18:15

15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

Genesis 18:15 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
English Standard Version (ESV)
15 But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. He said, "No, but you did laugh."
New Living Translation (NLT)
15 Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, “I didn’t laugh.” But the LORD said, “No, you did laugh.”
The Message Bible (MSG)
15 Sarah lied. She said, "I didn't laugh," because she was afraid. But he said, "Yes you did; you laughed."
American Standard Version (ASV)
15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
15 Because she was afraid, Sarah denied that she had laughed. But the LORD said, "Yes, you did laugh."
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
15 Sarah denied it. "I did not laugh," she said, because she was afraid. But He replied, "No, you did laugh."
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
15 Sarah was afraid. So she lied and said, "I didn't laugh." But the LORD said, "Yes, you did."

Genesis 18:15 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 18:15

Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not
Some render the words, "Sarah lied" F26; and indeed it was no other than a lie, to say she did not laugh when she did; which she might be tempted to say in her confusion, partly because the back of the speaker was to her, and he could not see her, and partly because it was inward, and very little at least discoverable in her countenance: for she was afraid;
of the reproof of her husband; and of the charge of ill manners to a stranger; and especially as she had reason to believe that it was the Lord himself that had spoken these words, and therefore could gladly have excused herself, and wiped off the reproach: and he said, nay, but thou didst laugh;
it is not true what thou sayest, for thou didst certainly laugh; this he knew, being the omniscient God, notwithstanding, as he appeared as a man, his back was to her, and though her laughter was more internal than external.


FOOTNOTES:

F26 (vxkt) "mentita est", Drusius.

Genesis 18:15 In-Context

13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’
14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”
16 When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way.
17 Then the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?
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