Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” New Living Translation And Sarah declared, “God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me. English Standard Version And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” Berean Standard Bible Then Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me.” King James Bible And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. New King James Version And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” New American Standard Bible Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” NASB 1995 Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” NASB 1977 And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” Legacy Standard Bible And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” Amplified Bible Sarah said, “God has made me laugh; all who hear [about our good news] will laugh with me.” Christian Standard Bible Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears will laugh with me.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears will laugh with me.” American Standard Version And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh; every one that heareth will laugh with me. Contemporary English Version and Sarah said, "God has made me laugh. And now everyone will laugh with me. English Revised Version And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh; every one that heareth will laugh with me. GOD'S WORD® Translation Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me. Good News Translation Sarah said, "God has brought me joy and laughter. Everyone who hears about it will laugh with me." International Standard Version Now Sarah had said, "God has caused me to laugh, and all who hear about it will laugh with me." NET Bible Sarah said, "God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." New Heart English Bible Sarah said, "God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me." Webster's Bible Translation And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me.” World English Bible Sarah said, “God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Sarah says, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who is hearing laughs for me.” Young's Literal Translation and Sarah saith, 'God hath made laughter for me; every one who is hearing laugheth for me.' Smith's Literal Translation And Sarah will say, God made me laugh; all hearing will laugh with me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Sara said: God hath made a laughter for me: whosoever shall hear of it will laugh with me. Catholic Public Domain Version And Sarah said: “God has brought laughter to me. Whoever will hear of it will laugh with me.” New American Bible Sarah then said, “God has given me cause to laugh, and all who hear of it will laugh with me. New Revised Standard Version Now Sarah said, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Sarah said, God has made me to rejoice today exceedingly; everyone that hears the news will rejoice with me. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Sara said, “God has made great joy for me today. Everyone who hears will rejoice with me.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Sarah said: 'God hath made laughter for me; every one that heareth will laugh on account of me.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Sarrha said, The Lord has made laughter for me, for whoever shall hear shall rejoice with me. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Birth of Isaac…5Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6Then Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me.” 7She added, “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”… Cross References Genesis 18:12-15 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.” ... Luke 1:58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. 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. 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.” 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. Galatians 4:27 For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.” 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. Luke 1:14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, John 16:21 A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. Job 8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with a shout of joy. Romans 9:9 For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” 1 Samuel 2:1 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. Luke 6:21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Psalm 113:9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah! 1 Peter 1:6-8 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. / Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, Treasury of Scripture And Sarah said, God has made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. God. 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 18:12-15 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? … 1 Samuel 1:26-28 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD… to laugh. Genesis 18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? will laugh. Luke 1:14,58 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth… Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Jump to Previous Account Cause Hear Heareth Hearing Hears Laugh Laugheth News SarahJump to Next Account Cause Hear Heareth Hearing Hears Laugh Laugheth News SarahGenesis 21 1. Isaac is born, and circumcised.6. Sarah's joy. 8. Isaac is weaned. 9. Hagar and Ishmael sent away. 15. Hagar in distress. 17. The angel relieves and comforts her. 23. Abimelech's covenant with Abraham at Beersheba. Then Sarah said, This phrase marks a significant moment in Sarah's life, as she speaks after the fulfillment of God's promise to her and Abraham. Sarah, who had been barren for many years, now experiences the joy of motherhood. Her words reflect a personal testimony of God's faithfulness. In the broader biblical narrative, Sarah's voice here is important as it highlights the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham, which is central to the unfolding story of Israel. “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me.” Persons / Places / Events 1. SarahThe wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac. Her laughter signifies joy and fulfillment of God's promise. 2. Isaac The son of Abraham and Sarah, whose name means "he laughs," reflecting the joy and surprise of his birth. 3. Abraham The patriarch of the Israelites, who received God's promise of a son in his old age. 4. God The divine being who fulfills His promise to Abraham and Sarah, demonstrating His faithfulness. 5. The Birth of Isaac A miraculous event, as Sarah bore a child in her old age, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham. Teaching Points God's FaithfulnessGod's promises are sure, even when they seem impossible by human standards. Sarah's laughter is a testament to God's faithfulness. Joy in Fulfillment The fulfillment of God's promises brings joy not only to the individual but also to the community. Sarah's laughter invites others to share in her joy. Transformation of Doubt Initial doubt can be transformed into joy and faith. Sarah's journey from skepticism to laughter is a powerful example. The Power of God's Timing God's timing is perfect. Isaac's birth at the appointed time demonstrates that God's plans unfold according to His divine schedule. Community of Believers The shared laughter signifies the importance of community in celebrating God's work. Believers are encouraged to rejoice with those who rejoice. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 21:6?2. How does Sarah's laughter in Genesis 21:6 reflect God's faithfulness to promises? 3. What can we learn about God's timing from Sarah's joy in Genesis 21:6? 4. How does Genesis 21:6 connect to God's promise in Genesis 18:10-14? 5. How can we apply Sarah's joy in Genesis 21:6 to our own faith? 6. In what ways can we share our joy in God's blessings with others? 7. How does Genesis 21:6 reflect God's promise and fulfillment in Sarah's life? 8. What is the significance of laughter in Genesis 21:6? 9. How does Genesis 21:6 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His covenant? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 21? 11. What does the Bible say about the value of laughter? 12. What does the Bible say about the value of laughter? 13. Who exemplifies faith and strength among biblical women? 14. Does laughter bring joy to the heart? What Does Genesis 21:6 Mean Then Sarah said• Genesis 21:1-2 sets the scene: “The LORD visited Sarah… and Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age.” • Sarah’s words flow from a literal, historical fulfillment of a 25-year-old promise (Genesis 17:19; 18:10, 14). • Her speech shows that personal testimony is a vital part of Scripture’s storyline; God wants His works declared aloud (Psalm 40:9-10; Mark 5:19). • Hebrews 11:11 points back to this moment, reminding us that faith receives strength when God speaks and then acts exactly as He said. God has made me laugh • The focus is on God as the direct cause of joy. What Adam’s race could never engineer, God delivered. • Earlier laughter was tinged with doubt—Abraham “fell facedown and laughed” (Genesis 17:17), and Sarah “laughed to herself” (Genesis 18:12-13). Now the laughter is pure delight. • Isaac’s name means “he laughs,” turning every call of his name into a reminder of God’s faithfulness (Genesis 21:3). • Psalm 126:2 captures the same theme: “Then our mouths were filled with laughter… The LORD has done great things for us.” • Christ foretold a comparable shift for His disciples: “Your grief will turn to joy” (John 16:20-22). Everyone who hears of this • Sarah foresees a ripple effect; her private miracle becomes public proclamation (Isaiah 12:4-5). • Luke 1:58 echoes the pattern: neighbors and relatives “heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.” • God’s works are meant for communal celebration, not silent admiration (Psalm 105:1-2; 1 Chronicles 16:8-9). • Testifying spreads faith: if God kept His word to a barren 90-year-old, He can keep every promise He has made (Romans 4:20-21). Will laugh with me • Joy shared is joy multiplied. The covenant family is invited to step into Sarah’s amazement (Romans 12:15; Philippians 4:4). • The phrase anticipates worship gatherings where God’s people rejoice together (Psalm 98:4; Revelation 19:7). • Sarah’s inclusion of others highlights that God blesses individuals so the wider community may praise Him (Genesis 12:2-3 fulfilled in seed form here). • Persistent rejoicing becomes a mark of believers’ life together: “Rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). summary Genesis 21:6 records Sarah’s spontaneous praise when Isaac is born. She openly testifies, traces her joy back to God, anticipates a widening circle of witnesses, and invites them into corporate celebration. The verse teaches that God’s fulfilled promises turn doubt to delight, private blessing to public testimony, and solitary joy to shared worship—and it stands as a timeless reminder that “the LORD is faithful to all His promises” (Psalm 145:13). (6, 7) God hath made me to laugh.--Sarah's laugh was one of mingled emotions. Joy was uppermost in her mind, but women do not laugh for joy at the birth of a child. Doubtless she called to mind the feelings with which she listened to the announcement of her bearing a son, made by those whom she then regarded as mere passing wayfarers (Genesis 18:12), but whom she had now long known to be the messengers of God. And still the event seemed to her marvellous and astonishing, so that "all that hear," she said, "will laugh with me"--Heb., for me, or over me--not "will ridicule me," but will be merry at the thought of an old woman of ninety having a son. Deeper feelings would come afterwards, and the acknowledgment that that which was contrary to nature was wrought by Him whom nature must obey; but surprise is uppermost in the little poem in which Sarah gives utterance to her first feelings:--Who would have said unto Abraham Sarah suckleth sons? For I have borne a son to his old age. Verse 6. - And Sarah said, - the spiritual elevation of her soul being indicated by the poetical form of her speech. Differing from Mary s magnificat in having been uttered after, and not before, the birth of the promised seed, the anthem of Sarah was obviously designed as a prelude to that loftier song of the Virgin (cf. Luke 1:46). It consists of two sentences, the first containing two, and the second three lines - God hath made me to laugh. Or, retaining the order of the Hebrew, To laugh hath made me Elohim; the emphatic position of צְחֹק, containing an allusion to the name Isaac, probably indicating that Sarah's laughter was of a different character now from what it had previously been (Genesis 18:12); and her ascription of it to Elohim intimating that him whom she formerly mistook for a traveler she now recognized to be Divine ('Speaker's Commentary'). So that all that hear me will laugh with me. Not, will laugh at me, deridebit me (Peele), a sense the words will bear (Rosenmüller, 'Speaker's Commentary'), though in the instances adduced (Job 5:22; Job 39:7, 18, 22) צָחַק לְ rather conveys the idea of despising difficulties (Kalisch); but, will laugh with me, συγχαρεῖταί μου, congaudebit mihi (LXX., Vulgate, Targums, Calvin, Dathe, Keil).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then Sarahשָׂרָ֔ה (śā·rāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 8283: Sarah -- 'princess', a wife of Abraham said, וַתֹּ֣אמֶר (wat·tō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “God אֱלֹהִ֑ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative has made עָ֥שָׂה (‘ā·śāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make me לִ֖י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew laugh, צְחֹ֕ק (ṣə·ḥōq) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6712: Laughter and everyone כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every who hears of this הַשֹּׁמֵ֖עַ (haš·šō·mê·a‘) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently will laugh with me.” יִֽצְחַק־ (yiṣ·ḥaq-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6711: To laugh outright, to sport Links Genesis 21:6 NIVGenesis 21:6 NLT Genesis 21:6 ESV Genesis 21:6 NASB Genesis 21:6 KJV Genesis 21:6 BibleApps.com Genesis 21:6 Biblia Paralela Genesis 21:6 Chinese Bible Genesis 21:6 French Bible Genesis 21:6 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 21:6 Sarah said God has made me laugh (Gen. Ge Gn) |