Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” New Living Translation Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?” English Standard Version Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” Berean Standard Bible Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?” King James Bible Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? New King James Version Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” New American Standard Bible Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to a man a hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth to a child?” NASB 1995 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” NASB 1977 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” Legacy Standard Bible Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said in his heart, “Will a son be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a son?” Amplified Bible Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” Christian Standard Bible Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a hundred-year-old man? Can Sarah, a ninety-year-old woman, give birth? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a hundred-year-old man? Can Sarah, a ninety-year-old woman, give birth?” American Standard Version Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? Contemporary English Version Abraham bowed with his face to the ground and thought, "I am almost 100 years old. How can I become a father? And Sarah is 90. How can she have a child?" So he started laughing. English Revised Version Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? GOD'S WORD® Translation Immediately, Abraham bowed with his face touching the ground. He laughed as he thought to himself, "Can a son be born to a hundred-year-old man? Can Sarah, a ninety-year-old woman, have a child?" Good News Translation Abraham bowed down with his face touching the ground, but he began to laugh when he thought, "Can a man have a child when he is a hundred years old? Can Sarah have a child at ninety?" International Standard Version Abraham fell to the ground, laughed, and told himself, "Can a child be born to a 100-year-old man? Can a 90-year-old Sarah give birth?" Majority Standard Bible Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, ?Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?? NET Bible Then Abraham bowed down with his face to the ground and laughed as he said to himself, "Can a son be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?" New Heart English Bible Then Abraham fell on his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, "Will a child be born to him who is one hundred years old? Will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth?" Webster's Bible Translation Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born to him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear? World English Bible Then Abraham fell on his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to him who is one hundred years old? Will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Abraham falls on his face, and laughs, and says in his heart, “Is one born to the son of one hundred years? Or does Sarah—daughter of ninety years—bear?” Young's Literal Translation And Abraham falleth upon his face, and laugheth, and saith in his heart, 'To the son of an hundred years is one born? or doth Sarah -- daughter of ninety years -- bear?' Smith's Literal Translation And Abraham will fall upon his face and laugh, and will say in his heart, Shall there be born to the son of a hundred years? and shall Sarah the daughter of ninety years, bring forth? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAbraham fell upon his face, and laughed, saying in his heart: Shall a son, thinkest thou, be born to him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sara that is ninety years old bring forth? Catholic Public Domain Version Abraham fell on his face, and he laughed, saying in his heart: “Do you think a son can be born to a one hundred year old man? And will Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?” New American Bible Abraham fell face down and laughed as he said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at ninety?” New Revised Standard Version Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said in his heart, Shall a son be born to him who is a hundred years old? Or shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmayl may live before you!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart: 'Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Abraam fell upon his face, and laughed; and spoke in his heart, saying, Shall there be a child to one who is a hundred years old, and shall Sarrha who is ninety years old, bear? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Covenant of Circumcision…16And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.” 17Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?” 18And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!”… Cross References Romans 4:19-20 Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. / Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, Hebrews 11:11-12 By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised. / And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. Luke 1:18 “How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” Genesis 18:12-14 So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” / And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’ / Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.” Genesis 21:6-7 Then Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me.” / She added, “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” Romans 9:9 For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” Luke 1:34-37 “How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” / The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. / Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. ... Genesis 15:4-6 Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.” / And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” / Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Genesis 21:1-2 Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised. Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Numbers 11:21-23 But Moses replied, “Here I am among 600,000 men on foot, yet You say, ‘I will give them meat, and they will eat for a month.’ / If all our flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would they have enough? Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?” / The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.” Job 42:2 “I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted. Jeremiah 32:17 “Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You! Isaiah 51:2 Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him. 1 Samuel 2:1-10 At that time Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, for I rejoice in Your salvation. / There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God. / Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by Him actions are weighed. ... Treasury of Scripture Then Abraham fell on his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born to him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? fell. Genesis 17:3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, Leviticus 9:24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces. Numbers 14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. laughed. Genesis 18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? Genesis 21:6 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Jump to Previous Abraham Age Bear Birth Born Child Daughter Face Facedown Fell Heart Hundred Laughed Ninety SarahJump to Next Abraham Age Bear Birth Born Child Daughter Face Facedown Fell Heart Hundred Laughed Ninety SarahGenesis 17 1. God renews the covenant with Abram, 5. and changes his name to Abraham, in token of a greater blessing. 9. Circumcision is instituted. 15. Sarai's name is changed to Sarah, and she is blessed. 17. Isaac is promised, and the time of his birth fixed. 23. Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised. Abraham fell facedown. This act of falling facedown is a gesture of reverence and submission, often seen in biblical narratives when individuals encounter the divine (e.g., Genesis 17:3, Joshua 5:14). It signifies Abraham's recognition of God's authority and his own humility. This posture is consistent with the cultural practices of the ancient Near East, where bowing or prostrating oneself was a common expression of respect and worship. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?” Persons / Places / Events 1. AbrahamOriginally named Abram, he is the central figure in this passage. God has made a covenant with him, promising that he will be the father of many nations. 2. Sarah Abraham's wife, originally named Sarai. She is central to the promise of bearing a child despite her old age. 3. God's Covenant The broader context of this passage is God's covenant with Abraham, which includes the promise of a son, Isaac, through whom God's promises will be fulfilled. 4. Laughter Abraham's reaction to God's promise is laughter, which can be seen as a mix of disbelief and amazement at the miraculous nature of God's promise. 5. Age The ages of Abraham (100) and Sarah (90) are significant, highlighting the miraculous nature of the promised birth. Teaching Points Faith in the ImpossibleAbraham's laughter reflects a human response to the seemingly impossible. Yet, it is a reminder that God's promises transcend human limitations. God's Timing The ages of Abraham and Sarah remind us that God's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed by human standards. The Nature of Laughter Laughter can be a response of disbelief, but it can also transform into joy and amazement as God's promises unfold. Trust in God's Promises Despite initial doubts, Abraham's account encourages believers to trust in God's promises, knowing that He is faithful. Transformation of Doubt to Faith Abraham's journey from laughter to faith is a testament to how God can transform our doubts into steadfast belief.(17) Abraham . . . laughed.--The Jewish interpreters regard Abraham's laugh as one of joy, and Sarah's (Genesis 18:12) as one of unbelief. We may, however, well doubt whether there really was this difference between them; but our Lord confirms the View that joy was uppermost in Abraham's heart (John 8:56). Still with belief there was surprise, and the feeling that what was promised was so strange as to be well-nigh incredible. One who was ready to sacrifice his only son at God's word (Hebrews 11:19) would not be staggered by this strangeness, and yet the thought of Sarah's bearing a child at the age of ninety might easily present itself to his mind in a ludicrous aspect. As for Sarah, there is no proof that at the time when she laughed she knew or even suspected that the three travellers were more than men. She overheard their conversation, and laughed, imagining perhaps that they did not know how old she was. Really, the idea brought out by this double laughter is that Isaac's birth was contrary to nature.Verse 17. - Then Abraham fell upon his face (vide Ver. 3), and laughed. וַיּצְחָק from צָחַק, to laugh. Cf. καχάζω καγχάζω, cachin-nor, German, kichern; καὶ ἀγέλασε (LXX.); rejoiced (Onkelos); marveled (Jerome, Targums); laughed for joy (Arabic version, Augustine, Calvin, Delitzsch, Keil, Murphy, et alii); not a smile of incredulity (Jerome, Chrysostom) or of diffidence (Kalisch), as partitionists assert in order to produce a contradiction between the Elohist and Jehovist of Genesis 15. And said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is (literally, to the son of) an hundred years old? A suggestion of natural reason which was overruled by faith (Calvin, Wordsworth), though better regarded as the exclamation of holy wonder, or as an illustration of believing not for joy (Inglis; cf. Luke 24:41). And shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? Yes. What reason declared impossible was possible to faith. "He considered not the deadness of Sarah s womb" (Romans 4:19). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Abrahamאַבְרָהָ֛ם (’aḇ·rā·hām) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation fell facedown. וַיִּפֹּ֧ל (way·yip·pōl) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5307: To fall, lie Then he laughed וַיִּצְחָ֑ק (way·yiṣ·ḥāq) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6711: To laugh outright, to sport and said וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to himself, בְּלִבּ֗וֹ (bə·lib·bōw) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre “Can a child be born יִוָּלֵ֔ד (yiw·wā·lêḏ) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage to a man who is הַלְּבֶ֤ן (hal·lə·ḇen) Article, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son a hundred מֵאָֽה־ (mê·’āh-) Number - feminine singular Strong's 3967: A hundred years old? שָׁנָה֙ (šā·nāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8141: A year Can Sarah שָׂרָ֔ה (śā·rāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 8283: Sarah -- 'princess', a wife of Abraham give birth תֵּלֵֽד׃ (tê·lêḏ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage at the age of ninety?” תִּשְׁעִ֥ים (tiš·‘îm) Number - common plural Strong's 8673: Ninety Links Genesis 17:17 NIVGenesis 17:17 NLT Genesis 17:17 ESV Genesis 17:17 NASB Genesis 17:17 KJV Genesis 17:17 BibleApps.com Genesis 17:17 Biblia Paralela Genesis 17:17 Chinese Bible Genesis 17:17 French Bible Genesis 17:17 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell on his face (Gen. Ge Gn) |
    |