Genesis 18:14

14 "¹Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the ²appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will 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.

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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 Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?"

13 And the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?'

14 "Is anything too difficult for the LORD ? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."

15 Sarah denied it however, saying, "I did not laugh "; for she was afraid. And He said, "No, but you did laugh."

16 Then the men rose up from there, and looked down toward Sodom; and Abraham was walking with them to send them off.

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Zechariah 8:6; Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37; Romans 4:21
• 2. Genesis 17:21; Genesis 18:10

Footnotes

• [a] Or "wonderful"
• [b] Lit "when the time revives"