Genesis 18:4-15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:12

Therefore Sarah laughed within herself ,.... Not for joy of a son, and as pleased with it, believing so it would be; but as disbelieving it, and perhaps deriding it, and confuting it with a laugh, which, though it did not appear in her countenance, was secretly in her heart: saying , not with her mouth, but in her mind: after I am waxed old , being almost ninety years of age: shall I have pleasure ? in conception, or rather in having a son, and in suckling and nursing him, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:13

And the Lord said unto Abraham ,.... This discovers who the person was that had been conversing with Abraham, that he was a divine Person, as appears by his name "Jehovah", as well as by his knowledge of Sarah's behaviour; he did not turn himself to her, that it might be more manifest that it was not upon the sight of her he judged she laughed, but from his own omniscience; and he chose rather to speak to her husband than to her, appearing as a stranger, and that he might reprove her: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:14

Is anything too hard for the Lord ?.... Whose power is infinite; or "too wonderful" F24 היפלא "nunquid mirabile vel mirificabitur", Munster, Piscator, Schmidt. , 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 "Nunquid abscondetur", Pagninus, Cartwright; "an potest occultari", Junius &... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:15

Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not ,.... Some render the words, "Sarah lied" F26 תכחש "mentita est", Drusius. ; and indeed it was no other than a lie, to say she did not laugh when she did; which she might be tempted to say in her confusion, partly because the back of the speaker was to her, and he could not see her, and partly because it was inward, and very little at least discoverable in her countenance: for she was afraid ; of the reproof of her husband; and of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:4

Let a little water - be fetched, and wash your feet, etc. - In these verses we find a delightful picture of primitive hospitality. In those ancient times shoes such as ours were not in use; and the foot was protected only by sandals or soles, which fastened round the foot with straps. It was therefore a great refreshment in so hot a country to get the feet washed at the end of a day's journey; and this is the first thing that Abraham proposes. Rest yourselves under the tree - We have... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:5

I will fetch a morsel of bread - This was the third requisite, and is introduced in its proper order; as eating immediately after exertion or fatigue is very unwholesome. The strong action of the lungs and heart should have time to diminish before any food is received into the stomach, as otherwise concoction is prevented, and fever in a less or greater degree produced. For therefore are ye come - In those ancient days every traveler conceived he had a right to refreshment, when he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:6

Three measures of fine meal - The סאה seah , which is here translated measure, contained, according to Bishop Cumberland, about two gallons and a half; and Mr. Ainsworth translates the word peck. On this circumstance the following observations of the judicious and pious Abbe Fleury cannot fail to be acceptable to the reader. Speaking of the frugality of the patriarchs he says: "We have an instance of a splendid entertainment in that which Abraham made for the three angels. He set a whole... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:8

And he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat - Nothing is more common in Hindostan than to see travelers and guests eating under the shade of trees. Feasts are scarcely ever held in houses. The house of a Hindoo serves for sleeping and cooking, and for shutting up the women; but is never considered as a sitting or dining room - Ward. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:10

I will certainly return - Abraham was now ninety-nine years of age, and this promise was fulfilled when he was a hundred; so that the phrase according to the time of life must mean either a complete year, or nine months from the present time, the ordinary time of pregnancy. Taken in this latter sense, Abraham was now in the ninety-ninth year of his age, and Isaac was born when he was in his hundredth year. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:11

It ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women - And consequently, naturally speaking, conception could not take place; therefore if she have a son it must be in a supernatural or miraculous way. read more

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