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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 18:15 But Sarah was afraid, so she denied it and said, "I did not laugh." "No," replied the LORD, "but you did laugh."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/18-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/01_Gen_18_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 18:15 - Sarah Laughs at the Promise" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But Sarah was afraid, so she denied it and said, I did not laugh. 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He said, “No, but you did laugh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Sarah was afraid, so she denied it and said, “I did not laugh.” “No,” replied the LORD, “but you did laugh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But Sarah denied <i>it,</i> saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sarah denied <i>it,</i> however, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Sarah denied it however, saying, &#8220I did not laugh"; for she was afraid. And He said, &#8220No, but you did laugh.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Sarah denied <i>it</i> however, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Sarah denied <i>it</i> however, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh”; because she was afraid. And He (the LORD) said, “No, but you did laugh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sarah denied it. “I did not laugh,” she said, because she was afraid. But he replied, “No, you did laugh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sarah denied it. &#8220I did not laugh,&#8221 she said, because she was afraid. But He replied, &#8220No, you did laugh.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Sarah was so frightened that she lied and said, "I didn't laugh." "Yes, you did!" he answered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Because she was afraid, Sarah denied that she had laughed. But the LORD said, "Yes, you did laugh."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Because Sarah was afraid, she denied it. "I didn't laugh," she said. "Yes, you did," he replied. "You laughed." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But Sarah denied it. "I didn't laugh," she claimed, because she was afraid. The LORD replied, "No! You did laugh!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Sarah was afraid, so she denied it and said, ?I did not laugh.? ?No,? replied the LORD, ?but you did laugh.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then Sarah lied, saying, "I did not laugh," because she was afraid. But the LORD said, "No! You did laugh." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. He said, "No, but you did laugh."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then Sarah denied it, saying, “I didn’t laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Sarah denies, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she has been afraid; and He says, “No, but you did laugh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Sarah denieth, saying, 'I did not laugh;' for she hath been afraid; and He saith, 'Nay, but thou didst laugh.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Sarah will deny, saying, I did not laugh; for she was afraid. And he will say, Nay, for thou didst laugh.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Sara denied, saying: I did not laugh: for she was afraid. But the Lord said, Nay: but thou didst laugh: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh.” For she was terribly afraid. But the Lord said, “It is not so; for you did laugh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Sarah lied, saying, “I did not laugh,” because she was afraid. But he said, “Yes, you did.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “Oh yes, you did laugh.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then Sarah denied, saying, I did not laugh; because she was afraid. And he said, No; but you did laugh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Sara denied, and she said, “I did not laugh”, because she was afraid; and he said, “No, but you did laugh.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then Sarah denied, saying: 'I laughed not'; for she was afraid. And He said: 'Nay; but thou didst laugh.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But Sarrha denied, saying, I did not laugh, for she was afraid. And he said to her, Nay, but thou didst laugh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/18-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=3822" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/18.htm">Sarah Laughs at the Promise</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>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.” <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8283.htm" title="8283: śā·rāh (N-proper-fs) -- Princess, a wife of Abraham. The same as sarah; Sarah, Abraham's wife.">But Sarah</a> <a href="/hebrew/3372.htm" title="3372: yā·rê·’āh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten. A primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. To frighten.">was afraid,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">so</a> <a href="/hebrew/3584.htm" title="3584: wat·tə·ḵa·ḥêš (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To disappoint, deceive, fail, grow lean. A primitive root; to be untrue, in word or deed.">she denied it</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“I did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6711.htm" title="6711: ṣā·ḥaq·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To laugh. A primitive root; to laugh outright; by implication, to sport.">laugh.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“No,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">replied the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">“but</a> <a href="/hebrew/6711.htm" title="6711: ṣā·ḥā·qət (V-Qal-Perf-2fs) -- To laugh. A primitive root; to laugh outright; by implication, to sport.">you did laugh.”</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-11.htm">Hebrews 11:11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-18.htm">Luke 1:18-20</a></span><br />“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” / “I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. / And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-19.htm">Romans 4:19-21</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-26.htm">Matthew 19:26</a></span><br />Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-37.htm">Luke 1:37</a></span><br />For no word from God will ever fail.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-9.htm">Romans 9:9</a></span><br />For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-6.htm">1 Peter 3:6</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-56.htm">John 8:56</a></span><br />Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22-23</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-11.htm">James 5:11</a></span><br />See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/17-17.htm">Genesis 17:17</a></span><br />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?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-6.htm">Genesis 21:6-7</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-11.htm">Genesis 12:11-13</a></span><br />As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look, I know that you are a beautiful woman, / and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. / Please say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake, and on account of you my life will be spared.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Genesis 20:2</a></span><br />Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/16-2.htm">Genesis 16:2</a></span><br />So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, No; but you did laugh.</p><p class="hdg">denied.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-9.htm">Genesis 4:9</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Cain, Where <i>is</i> Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: <i>Am</i> I my brother's keeper?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/12-13.htm">Genesis 12:13</a></b></br> Say, I pray thee, thou <i>art</i> my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/2-10.htm">Job 2:10</a></b></br> But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.</p><p class="hdg">Nay.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/44-21.htm">Psalm 44:21</a></b></br> Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/12-19.htm">Proverbs 12:19</a></b></br> The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue <i>is</i> but for a moment.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/2-8.htm">Mark 2:8</a></b></br> And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/revelation/3-8.htm">Denied</a> <a href="/1_john/2-23.htm">Denieth</a> <a href="/genesis/15-12.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/genesis/15-16.htm">Full</a> <a href="/genesis/15-15.htm">However</a> <a href="/genesis/18-13.htm">Laugh</a> <a href="/luke/14-29.htm">Laughing</a> <a href="/genesis/18-14.htm">Sarah</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/19-30.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-7.htm">Denied</a> <a href="/leviticus/6-3.htm">Denieth</a> <a href="/genesis/19-15.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/genesis/20-8.htm">Full</a> <a href="/genesis/19-2.htm">However</a> <a href="/genesis/21-6.htm">Laugh</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-16.htm">Laughing</a> <a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Sarah</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/18-1.htm">The Lord appears to Abraham, who entertains angels.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/18-9.htm">Sarah is reproved for laughing at the promise of a son.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/18-16.htm">The destruction of Sodom is revealed to Abraham.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/18-23.htm">Abraham makes intercession for its inhabitants.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But Sarah was afraid</b><br>Sarah's fear is a natural human reaction to being confronted by the divine. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, encounters with the divine were often met with fear and reverence. Her fear also reflects her awareness of her disbelief and the potential consequences of doubting God's promise. This moment highlights the human tendency to fear exposure of our inner thoughts and doubts.<p><b>so she denied it and said, “I did not laugh.”</b><br>Denial is a common human defense mechanism when faced with uncomfortable truths. Sarah's denial of her laughter is an attempt to hide her disbelief. This reflects the broader biblical theme of human fallibility and the tendency to hide from God, as seen in <a href="/genesis/3-8.htm">Genesis 3:8-10</a> when Adam and Eve hid from God after sinning. Sarah's denial also underscores the tension between faith and doubt, a recurring theme throughout Scripture.<p><b>“No,” replied the LORD, “but you did laugh.”</b><br>The LORD's response is direct and authoritative, emphasizing His omniscience. This interaction demonstrates God's intimate knowledge of human hearts and thoughts, as seen in <a href="/psalms/139.htm">Psalm 139:1-4</a>. The LORD's correction serves as a gentle yet firm reminder of His truth and the importance of honesty before Him. This moment foreshadows the fulfillment of God's promise to Sarah, reinforcing the theme of divine faithfulness despite human doubt. It also prefigures the grace and truth embodied in Jesus Christ, who knows our hearts and calls us to faith and repentance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/sarah.htm">Sarah</a></b><br>The wife of Abraham, who laughed in disbelief when she overheard the promise of a son in her old age.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch who was visited by the Lord and His messengers, receiving the promise of a son.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The Lord</a></b><br>The divine visitor who reiterates the promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tent.htm">The Tent</a></b><br>The setting where Sarah overhears the conversation between Abraham and the visitors.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaac.htm">Isaac</a></b><br>The promised son, whose name means "he laughs," reflecting the laughter of disbelief and later joy.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_doubt_and_faith.htm">The Nature of Doubt and Faith</a></b><br>Sarah's initial laughter reflects human doubt, but God's response shows His patience and faithfulness. We are reminded that faith often grows through our doubts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_promises_are_sure.htm">God's Promises are Sure</a></b><br>Despite human skepticism, God's promises are unwavering. This encourages believers to trust in God's timing and faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_honesty_with_god.htm">The Importance of Honesty with God</a></b><br>Sarah's denial of her laughter ("I did not laugh") is met with God's gentle correction. This teaches us the value of being honest with God about our feelings and doubts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_power_over_circumstances.htm">God's Power Over Circumstances</a></b><br>The promise of a child to an elderly couple underscores God's sovereignty and ability to work beyond human limitations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_laughter_in_faith.htm">The Role of Laughter in Faith</a></b><br>Laughter can signify disbelief, but it can also transform into joy when God's promises are fulfilled. This duality invites us to reflect on our responses to God's work in our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/key_events_in_abraham's_life.htm">What are the key events in Abraham's life?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_'h'_in_jesus_h._christ_mean.htm">Why did Sarah refer to Abraham as lord?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_abraham_host_the_lord_as_travelers.htm">How could Abraham host and feed three travelers identified as the Lord in human form (Genesis 18:1-5) without any hint of deception or strangeness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god_humorous.htm">Is God humorous?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">Sarah denied.</span>--With strange inconsistency Sarah knows that the speaker is Divine, and that He perceived the thoughts that passed "within herself" in the retirement of the tent, and yet denies; but it was the inconsistency of fright. Struck with terror at the thought that she had ridiculed the promise of Jehovah, she offers no excuse, but takes refuge, as frightened people are apt to do, in falsehood. Gently reproved, the result was the building-up of her faith, just as Mary's doubt was removed and her faith perfected by the angel's words (<a href="/context/luke/1-34.htm" title="Then said Mary to the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?">Luke 1:34-37</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Then Sarah</span> (who had overheard the conversation, and the charge preferred against her, and who probably now appeared before the stranger) <span class="cmt_word">denied, saying, I laughed not.</span> Sarah s conduct will admit of no other explanation than that which the sacred narrative itself gives. <span class="cmt_word">For she was afraid.</span> The knowledge that her secret thoughts had been deciphered must have kindled in her breast the suspicion that her visitor was none other than Jehovah. With this a sense of guilt would immediately assail her conscience for having cherished even a moment any doubt of the Divine word. In the consequent confusion of soul she tries what ever seems to be the first impulse of detected transgressions, viz., deception (cf. <a href="/genesis/3-12.htm">Genesis 3:12, 13</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh</span>. With a directness similar to that which he employed in dealing with the first culprits in the garden, not contending in a multiplicity of <span class="accented">words</span>, but solemnly announcing that what she said was false. The silence of Sarah was an evidence of her conviction; her subsequent conception was a proof of her repentance and forgiveness. <p> CHAPTER 18:16-22 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/18-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But Sarah</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׂרָ֧ה ׀</span> <span class="translit">(śā·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8283.htm">Strong's 8283: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sarah -- 'princess', a wife of Abraham</span><br /><br /><span class="word">denied it,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתְּכַחֵ֨שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tə·ḵa·ḥêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3584.htm">Strong's 3584: </a> </span><span class="str2">To disappoint, deceive, fail, grow lean</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saying,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵאמֹ֛ר</span> <span class="translit">(lê·mōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I did not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">laugh.”</span><br /><span class="heb">צָחַ֖קְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(ṣā·ḥaq·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6711.htm">Strong's 6711: </a> </span><span class="str2">To laugh outright, to sport</span><br /><br /><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י ׀</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">she was afraid.</span><br /><span class="heb">יָרֵ֑אָה</span> <span class="translit">(yā·rê·’āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3372.htm">Strong's 3372: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“No,”</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֖א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied [the LORD],</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ׀</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“but you did</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">laugh.”</span><br /><span class="heb">צָחָֽקְתְּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṣā·ḥā·qət)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6711.htm">Strong's 6711: </a> </span><span class="str2">To laugh outright, to sport</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/18-15.htm">Genesis 18:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/18-15.htm">Genesis 18:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/18-15.htm">Genesis 18:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/18-15.htm">Genesis 18:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/18-15.htm">Genesis 18:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/18-15.htm">Genesis 18:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/18-15.htm">Genesis 18:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/18-15.htm">Genesis 18:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/18-15.htm">Genesis 18:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/18-15.htm">Genesis 18:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/18-15.htm">OT Law: Genesis 18:15 Then Sarah denied saying I didn't laugh (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/18-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 18:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 18:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/18-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 18:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 18:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>