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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:12

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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:12

"Sarah laughed within herself." 1. The incongruity between a Divine promise and the sphere of its fulfillment is temptation to unbelief. 2. A disposition to measure the reality and certainty of the Divine by a human or earthly standard is sure to lead us to irreverence and sinful doubt. 3. There may be an inward and concealed working, known to God though not outwardly expressed. Which is still both an insult to him a d an injury to us. 4. The root of unbelief is in the ground... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:13

And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh ,—a question which must have convinced Abraham of the Speaker's omniscience. Not only had he heard the silent, inaudible, inward cachinnation of Sarah's spirit, but he knew the tenor of her thoughts, and the purport of her dubitations— saying, Shall I of a surely bear a child, whilst (literally, and I ) am old? Sarah's mental cogitations clearly showed that the temporary obscuration of her faith proceeded from a strong... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 18:1-33

- The Visit of the Lord to Abraham2. השׂתחיה vayı̂śtachû “bow,” or bend the body in token of respect to God or man. The attitude varies from a slight inclination of the body to entire prostration with the forehead touching the ground.6. סאה se'ah a “seah,” about an English peck, the third part of an ephah. The ephah contained ten omers. The omer held about five pints.This chapter describes Abraham’s fellowship with God. On the gracious assurance of the Redeemer and Vindicator, “Fear not, I am... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 18:12

Genesis 18:12. Sarah laughed within herself It was not a laughter of faith, like Abraham’s, (Genesis 17:17,) but a laughter of doubting and distrust. The great objection which Sarah could not get over was her age. I am waxed old And past child-bearing in a course of nature, especially having been hitherto barren, and, which magnifies the difficulty, My lord is old also. Observe here, that Sarah calls Abraham her lord, and the Holy Ghost takes notice of it to her honour, and recommends... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 18:13-15

Genesis 18:13 ; Genesis 18:15 . And the Lord (Hebrews, Jehovah) said, Wherefore did Sarah laugh? By showing that he knew what Sarah did secretly, in another apartment of the tent, he manifested that he could accomplish his word, however contrary to the ordinary course of nature. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:1-33

Messengers from God (18:1-33)A short time later three men visited Abraham (who was still living at Hebron; see 13:18; 14:13; 18:1.) Abraham welcomed them, not realizing at first that they were God’s special representatives. This was another appearance of the angel of the Lord (18:1-8; see also v. 22; 19:1; Hebrews 13:2). Apparently Abraham had not been able to convince Sarah that she would have a child, so God sent his messenger to her direct. She had to share Abraham’s faith (9-15).Because... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 18:12

laughed. See note on Genesis 17:17 . After. Figure of speech Erotesis. my lord. Hebrew. Adon. See App-4 and compare 1 Peter 3:6 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 18:11-12

"And Abraham and Sarah were old, and well stricken in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?"From the human standpoint, it was impossible for a woman long after the onset of menopause to give birth to a child, and Sarah's derisive laughter seemed to her to be the most appropriate response to what the stranger had said. As yet, it was not fully evident to her that... read more

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