Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” New Living Translation So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?” English Standard Version So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” Berean Standard Bible So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” King James Bible Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? New King James Version Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” New American Standard Bible So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have become old, am I to have pleasure, my lord being old also?” NASB 1995 Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” NASB 1977 And Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” Legacy Standard Bible And Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” Amplified Bible So Sarah laughed to herself [when she heard the LORD’S words], saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure and delight, my lord (husband) being also old?” Christian Standard Bible So she laughed to herself: “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I have delight? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible So she laughed to herself: “After I have become shriveled up and my lord is old, will I have delight?” American Standard Version And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? Contemporary English Version So she laughed and said to herself, "Now that I am worn out and my husband is old, will I really know such happiness?" English Revised Version And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? GOD'S WORD® Translation And so Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, "Now that I've become old, will I enjoy myself again? What's more, my husband is old!" Good News Translation 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." International Standard Version That's why Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, "After I'm so old and my husband is old, too, am I going to have sex?" NET Bible So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, "After I am worn out will I have pleasure, especially when my husband is old too?" New Heart English Bible Sarah laughed within herself, saying, "After I have grown old will I have pleasure, my husband being old also?" Webster's Bible Translation Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am become old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” World English Bible Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old will I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Sarah laughs in her heart, saying, “After I have waxed old have I had pleasure? My lord [is] also old!” Young's Literal Translation and Abraham and Sarah are aged, entering into days -- the way of women hath ceased to be to Sarah; Smith's Literal Translation And Sarah will laugh within her, saying, After it has not been to me till now, and my lord, being old. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd she laughed secretly, saying: After I am grown old, and my lord is an old man, shall I give myself to pleasure? Catholic Public Domain Version And she laughed secretly, saying, “After I have grown old, and my lord is elderly, shall I give myself to the work of delight?” New American Bible So Sarah laughed to herself and said, “Now that I am worn out and my husband is old, am I still to have sexual pleasure?” New Revised Standard Version So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTherefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am grown old, shall I renew my youth, my lord being old also? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Sara laughed in her heart and she said, “After I am worn out will I have youth, and my Lord is old?” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Sarah laughed within herself, saying: 'After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Sarrha laughed in herself, saying, The thing has not as yet happened to me, even until now, and my lord is old. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Sarah Laughs at the Promise…11And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” 13And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’… Cross References Hebrews 11:11 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. Romans 4:19-21 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, / being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised. 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.” Luke 1:34 “How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 1 Peter 3:6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear. Romans 9:9 For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” Galatians 4:22-23 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise. Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 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! Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me? Isaiah 54:1 “Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD. Psalm 37:13 but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming. Psalm 126:2 Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” Treasury of Scripture Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? laughed. Genesis 18:13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Genesis 17:17 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? Genesis 21:6,7 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me… my. Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. 1 Peter 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Jump to Previous Abraham Aged Ceased Entering Grown Herself Husband Laughed Master Pleasure Sarah Thought Used Waxed Way Within Women WornJump to Next Abraham Aged Ceased Entering Grown Herself Husband Laughed Master Pleasure Sarah Thought Used Waxed Way Within Women WornGenesis 18 1. The Lord appears to Abraham, who entertains angels.9. Sarah is reproved for laughing at the promise of a son. 16. The destruction of Sodom is revealed to Abraham. 23. Abraham makes intercession for its inhabitants. So she laughed to herself Sarah's laughter is an internal reaction, indicating disbelief or skepticism. This moment occurs after the Lord promises Abraham that Sarah will bear a son. Her laughter reflects a common human response to seemingly impossible promises. In biblical context, laughter often signifies doubt or surprise, as seen in other instances like Genesis 17:17, where Abraham also laughs at the promise of a son. This internal laughter contrasts with the joy and fulfillment that comes later when the promise is fulfilled with the birth of Isaac, whose name means "he laughs." saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old will I now have this pleasure?” Persons / Places / Events 1. SarahThe wife of Abraham, who is advanced in age and has been barren. Her laughter reflects disbelief and skepticism about God's promise of a son. 2. Abraham Sarah's husband, who has been promised by God to be the father of many nations. He is also advanced in age. 3. The LORD The divine visitor who, along with two angels, visits Abraham and reiterates the promise of a son to him and Sarah. 4. Tent The setting where Sarah overhears the conversation between Abraham and the visitors, leading to her internal reaction. 5. Promise of Isaac The event where God reaffirms His promise to Abraham that Sarah will bear a son, despite their old age. Teaching Points Faith in God's PromisesDespite human limitations and circumstances, God's promises remain true. Sarah's initial disbelief is a reminder to trust in God's timing and power. God's Patience and Understanding God understands our doubts and fears. Sarah's laughter did not disqualify her from God's promise, showing His patience and grace. The Power of God's Word When God speaks, His word is powerful and effective. Sarah's laughter turned into joy when God's promise was fulfilled with the birth of Isaac. Transformation through Faith Sarah's journey from doubt to faith is an encouragement that God can transform our skepticism into belief and trust. The Importance of Listening to God Sarah overheard the promise and initially doubted. Actively listening to God's word can strengthen our faith and understanding. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 18:12?2. Why did Sarah laugh at God's promise in Genesis 18:12? 3. How does Genesis 18:12 challenge our faith in God's promises? 4. What does Sarah's reaction reveal about human doubt in divine plans? 5. How can we strengthen our faith when facing seemingly impossible situations? 6. What other biblical examples show God fulfilling promises despite human doubt? 7. Why did Sarah laugh at the promise of a child in Genesis 18:12? 8. How does Genesis 18:12 challenge the concept of faith in divine promises? 9. What does Sarah's reaction in Genesis 18:12 reveal about human doubt? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 18? 11. Does laughter bring joy to the heart? 12. Why did Sarah refer to Abraham as lord? 13. What key events define Isaac's life in the Bible? 14. Why did Sarah refer to Abraham as lord? What Does Genesis 18:12 Mean So she laughed to herself• Sarah’s laughter is silent, hidden in her heart, yet instantly known to the LORD who “searches every heart” (Psalm 139:2; Hebrews 4:13). • It contrasts Abraham’s earlier laughter in Genesis 17:17; both reveal how astounding the promise sounded to human ears. • The laugh is tinged with doubt rather than delight—showing how easily we measure God’s Word against visible circumstances. saying • Inner words expose the true state of the soul; “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). • Though whispered only in her thoughts, Sarah in effect verbalizes unbelief—much like the one who “says in his heart, ‘There is no God’ ” (Psalm 14:1). • Scripture records her exact words so we can trace how God transforms skeptical musings into confident faith. After I am worn out • Sarah focuses on her own frailty: decades past childbearing, physically drained, emotionally tested. • Isaiah 40:29–31 reminds us that God “gives strength to the weary,” while 2 Corinthians 12:9 affirms His power is perfected in weakness. • Her honest assessment sets the stage for God to do what Romans 4:19 calls bringing life where bodies are “as good as dead.” and my master is old • By calling Abraham “my master,” Sarah echoes the respectful attitude later commended in 1 Peter 3:6. • Their combined age underscores the sheer impossibility from a human viewpoint (Romans 4:19 again); nothing in their natural condition could produce the promised son. • The setting magnifies God’s glory: when all human resources are spent, the Lord alone receives the credit. will I now have this pleasure? • “Pleasure” points to the long-awaited joy of motherhood—a delight she had likely relinquished (Proverbs 13:12). • God’s gifts often arrive after hope seems gone; Psalm 37:4, James 1:17, and Ephesians 3:20 all highlight His ability to surpass expectation. • The eventual birth of Isaac turns doubt into laughter of faith—“God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me” (Genesis 21:6). • Luke 1:37 distills the lesson: “Nothing will be impossible with God.” summary Genesis 18:12 captures Sarah’s private, skeptical chuckle at a promise that defied biology and logic. Her inward laughter, candid words, aged body, and respectful nod to Abraham all spotlight human limitation. God answers not by scolding but by reaffirming, “Is anything too difficult for the LORD?” (18:14). The verse thus invites us to trade hidden doubt for open trust, knowing that the same God who turned Sarah’s disbelief into joyous laughter still keeps every promise, no matter how unlikely it appears. (12) Sarah laughed.--See Note on Genesis 17:17. The laughter of both husband and wife brings into prominence the inconceivable character of the fact. Sarah's conduct has been very unjustly condemned. Though Abraham may have begun to guess that his visitors were more than men, she probably had no such suspicions. Sitting inside the tent, and catching their words only occasionally, listening, perhaps, now only because she heard her own name mentioned, when she hears them talk of her having a child she naturally laughs. thinking possibly that they did not know how old she was.After I am waxed old.--The Hebrew word is stronger and more lively. It means "to be worn out like an old garment." Verse 12. - Therefore (literally, and) Sarah laughed within herself - Abraham had laughed in joyful amazement, (Genesis 18:17) at the first mention of Sarah s son; Sarah laughs, if not in unbelief (Calvin, Keil, 'Speaker's Commentary,' Wordsworth), at least with a mingled feeling of doubt and delight (Lange, Murphy) at the announcement of her approaching maternity - saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? - literally, and my lord, i.e. my husband, is old. The reverential submission to Abraham which Sarah here displays is in the New Testament commended as a pattern to Christian wives (1 Peter 3:6).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So [she]שָׂרָ֖ה (śā·rāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 8283: Sarah -- 'princess', a wife of Abraham laughed וַתִּצְחַ֥ק (wat·tiṣ·ḥaq) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 6711: To laugh outright, to sport to herself, בְּקִרְבָּ֣הּ (bə·qir·bāh) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center saying, לֵאמֹ֑ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say “After אַחֲרֵ֤י (’a·ḥă·rê) Preposition Strong's 310: The hind or following part I am worn out בְלֹתִי֙ (ḇə·lō·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular Strong's 1086: To fail, to wear out, decay and my master וַֽאדֹנִ֖י (wa·ḏō·nî) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller is old, זָקֵֽן׃ (zā·qên) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2204: To be or become old will I now have הָֽיְתָה־ (hā·yə·ṯāh-) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be this pleasure?” עֶדְנָ֔ה (‘eḏ·nāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5730: A luxury, dainty, delight Links Genesis 18:12 NIVGenesis 18:12 NLT Genesis 18:12 ESV Genesis 18:12 NASB Genesis 18:12 KJV Genesis 18:12 BibleApps.com Genesis 18:12 Biblia Paralela Genesis 18:12 Chinese Bible Genesis 18:12 French Bible Genesis 18:12 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 18:12 Sarah laughed within herself saying After (Gen. 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