Genesis 18:12

12 So Sarah laughed to herself and said, "Now that I am old and worn out, can I still enjoy sex? And besides, my husband is old too." ¹

Genesis 18:12 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 18:12

Therefore Sarah laughed within herself
Not for joy of a son, and as pleased with it, believing so it would be; but as disbelieving it, and perhaps deriding it, and confuting it with a laugh, which, though it did not appear in her countenance, was secretly in her heart: saying,
not with her mouth, but in her mind, after I am waxed old,
being almost ninety years of age, shall I have pleasure?
in conception, or rather in having a son, and in suckling and nursing him, and bringing him up; for in bearing and bringing forth is sorrow: and my Lord being old also;
which increased the difficulty and her unbelief: the Apostle Peter seems to have respect to this in ( 1 Peter 3:6 ) .

Genesis 18:12 In-Context

10 One of them said, "Nine months from now I will come back, and your wife Sarah will have a son." Sarah was behind him, at the door of the tent, listening.

11 Abraham and Sarah were very old, and Sarah had stopped having her monthly periods.

12 So Sarah laughed to herself and said, "Now that I am old and worn out, can I still enjoy sex? And besides, my husband is old too."

13 Then the Lord asked Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, "Can I really have a child when I am so old?'

14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? As I said, nine months from now I will return, and Sarah will have a son."

Cross References

• 1. 18.12 1 Peter 3.6.