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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 18:14 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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/18-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/01_Gen_18_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 18:14 - Sarah Laughs at the Promise" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/18-14.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/18-14.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 14</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad14.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/18-13.htm" title="Genesis 18:13">◄</a> Genesis 18:14 <a href="/genesis/18-15.htm" title="Genesis 18:15">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Is anything too difficult for Yahweh? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Is anything too difficult <i>or</i> too wonderful for the LORD? At the appointed time, when the season [for her delivery] comes, I will return to you and Sarah will have a son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is anything impossible for the LORD? At the appointed time I will come back to you, and in about a year she will have a son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is anything impossible for the LORD? At the appointed time I will come back to you, and in about a year she will have a son.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Is anything too hard for Jehovah? At the set time I will return unto thee, when the season cometh round, and Sarah shall have a son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I am the LORD! There is nothing too difficult for me. I'll come back next year at the time I promised, and Sarah will already have a son." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the set time I will return unto thee, when the season cometh round, and Sarah shall have a son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will come back to you next year at this time, and Sarah will have a son."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Is anything too hard for the LORD? As I said, nine months from now I will return, and Sarah will have a son." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Is anything impossible for the LORD? At the time set for it, I will return to you—about a year from now—and Sarah will have a son."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Is anything impossible for the LORD? I will return to you when the season comes round again and Sarah will have a son."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Is anything too difficult for God? At the set time I will return to you, at the time of life, and Sarah will have a son."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return to thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Is anything too hard for Yahweh? At the set time I will return to you, when the season comes around, and Sarah will have a son.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Is anything too wonderful for YHWH? At the appointed time I return to you, about the time of life, and Sarah has a son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jehovah saith unto Abraham, 'Why is this? Sarah hath laughed, saying, Is it true really -- I bear -- and I am aged? Is any thing too wonderful for Jehovah? at the appointed time I return unto thee, about the time of life, and Sarah hath a son.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Shall the word of Jehovah be difficult, at the appointed time? I will return to thee, according to the time of life, and a son to Sarah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Is there any thing hard to God? according to appointment I will return to thee at this same time, life accompanying, and Sara shall have a son. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Is anything difficult for God? According to the announcement, he will return to you at this same time, with life as a companion, and Sarah will have a son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Is anything too marvelous for the LORD to do? At the appointed time, about this time next year, I will return to you, and Sarah will have a son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Is anything too wonderful for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at this season, and Sarah your wife shall be with child, and shall have a son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Is the matter greater than LORD JEHOVAH?, for at this time I shall return to you when she is living, and Sara your wife shall have a son.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Is any thing too hard for the LORD. At the set time I will return unto thee, when the season cometh round, and Sarah shall have a son.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Shall anything be impossible with the Lord? At this time I will return to thee seasonably, and Sarrha shall have a son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/18-14.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=3811" 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">13</span>And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’ <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: dā·ḇār (N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">Is anything</a> <a href="/hebrew/6381.htm" title="6381: hă·yip·pā·lê (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. Distinguish; by implication, to be great, difficult, wonderful.">too difficult</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-m:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">for the LORD?</a> <a href="/hebrew/4150.htm" title="4150: lam·mō·w·‘êḏ (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Appointed time, place, or meeting. ">At the appointed time</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: ’ā·šūḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">I will return</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·le·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to you—</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: kā·‘êṯ (Prep-k, Art:: N-csc) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">in about a year</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·yāh (Adj-fs) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">—</a> <a href="/hebrew/8283.htm" title="8283: ū·lə·śā·rāh (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-proper-fs) -- Princess, a wife of Abraham. The same as sarah; Sarah, Abraham's wife.">and Sarah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇên (N-ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">will have a son.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>But Sarah was afraid, so she denied it and said, “I did not laugh.” “No,” replied the LORD, “but you did laugh.”…<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="/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="/jeremiah/32-17.htm">Jeremiah 32:17</a></span><br />“Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!<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="/job/42-2.htm">Job 42:2</a></span><br />“I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-21.htm">Romans 4:21</a></span><br />being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/11-23.htm">Numbers 11:23</a></span><br />The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-10.htm">Isaiah 46:10-11</a></span><br />I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’ / I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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="/psalms/115-3.htm">Psalm 115:3</a></span><br />Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/3-20.htm">Ephesians 3:20</a></span><br />Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/7-1.htm">2 Kings 7:1-2</a></span><br />Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’” / But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-27.htm">Mark 10:27</a></span><br />Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/32-27.htm">Jeremiah 32:27</a></span><br />“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-11.htm">Isaiah 55:11</a></span><br />so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.<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.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.</p><p class="hdg">Is.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/11-23.htm">Numbers 11:23</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/7-21.htm">Deuteronomy 7:21</a></b></br> Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God <i>is</i> among you, a mighty God and terrible.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/14-6.htm">1 Samuel 14:6</a></b></br> And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for <i>there is</i> no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.</p><p class="hdg">I will.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Genesis 18:10</a></b></br> And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard <i>it</i> in the tent door, which <i>was</i> behind him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/17-21.htm">Genesis 17:21</a></b></br> But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/30-3.htm">Deuteronomy 30:3</a></b></br> That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Able</a> <a href="/genesis/18-13.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/18-12.htm">Aged</a> <a href="/genesis/17-21.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/genesis/18-13.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/genesis/18-13.htm">Child</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-18.htm">Difficult</a> <a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Life</a> <a href="/genesis/18-13.htm">Really</a> <a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Round</a> <a href="/genesis/18-13.htm">Sarah</a> <a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Season</a> <a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Spring</a> <a href="/genesis/18-11.htm">Time</a> <a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">True.</a> <a href="/revelation/15-3.htm">Wonderful</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/19-22.htm">Able</a> <a href="/genesis/18-16.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/24-36.htm">Aged</a> <a href="/genesis/21-2.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/genesis/19-36.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/47-9.htm">Difficult</a> <a href="/genesis/19-9.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/genesis/19-17.htm">Life</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm">Really</a> <a href="/genesis/19-4.htm">Round</a> <a href="/genesis/18-15.htm">Sarah</a> <a href="/genesis/31-10.htm">Season</a> <a href="/genesis/24-13.htm">Spring</a> <a href="/genesis/18-32.htm">Time</a> <a href="/genesis/24-27.htm">True.</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-59.htm">Wonderful</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>Is anything too difficult for the LORD?</b><br>This rhetorical question emphasizes God's omnipotence, a central theme throughout the Bible. It challenges human doubt and highlights God's ability to accomplish what seems impossible. This echoes other biblical instances where God's power is demonstrated, such as the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and the virgin birth of Jesus (<a href="/luke/1-37.htm">Luke 1:37</a>). The question invites reflection on God's sovereignty and faithfulness, encouraging believers to trust in His promises despite circumstances.<p><b>At the appointed time</b><br>The phrase indicates God's perfect timing in fulfilling His promises. It underscores the biblical principle that God operates according to His divine schedule, not human expectations. This concept is seen in <a href="/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:1</a>, which speaks of a time for every purpose under heaven. God's timing is often a test of faith, as seen in the lives of Abraham and Sarah, who waited many years for the fulfillment of God's promise.<p><b>I will return to you</b><br>This promise of God's return signifies His personal involvement and commitment to His covenant with Abraham. It reflects the intimate relationship God maintains with His people, as seen throughout Scripture. The assurance of God's presence is a recurring theme, providing comfort and hope, as in <a href="/matthew/28-20.htm">Matthew 28:20</a>, where Jesus promises to be with His followers always.<p><b>in about a year</b><br>The specific timeframe given here highlights the certainty and imminence of God's promise. It serves as a tangible marker for Abraham and Sarah, reinforcing their faith. This period also allows for the natural progression of events, aligning with God's orderly nature. The mention of a year connects to the biblical concept of seasons and cycles, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/25.htm">Leviticus 25</a> with the Year of Jubilee.<p><b>and Sarah will have a son.</b><br>This promise of a son to Sarah, despite her old age, is a testament to God's miraculous power. It fulfills the covenant promise of descendants to Abraham (<a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2</a>). The birth of Isaac is a type of Christ, prefiguring the miraculous birth of Jesus. Both births were announced by divine messengers and involved elements of human impossibility, underscoring God's intervention in human history to fulfill His redemptive plan.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, representing God's omnipotence and faithfulness to His promises.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch to whom God made the promise of a son, despite his and Sarah's old age.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sarah.htm">Sarah</a></b><br>Abraham's wife, who was initially barren and laughed at the promise of having a child in her old age.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tent.htm">The Tent</a></b><br>The setting where the LORD appeared to Abraham, symbolizing a place of divine encounter and revelation.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_appointed_time.htm">The Appointed Time</a></b><br>Refers to God's perfect timing in fulfilling His promises, emphasizing His sovereignty over human circumstances.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omnipotence.htm">God's Omnipotence</a></b><br>Trust in God's power, as nothing is too difficult for Him. This encourages believers to rely on God's strength rather than their own limitations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_promises.htm">Faith in God's Promises</a></b><br>Like Abraham and Sarah, we are called to have faith in God's promises, even when circumstances seem impossible.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_timing.htm">Divine Timing</a></b><br>God's timing is perfect. We must learn patience and trust that God will fulfill His promises at the appointed time.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/overcoming_doubt.htm">Overcoming Doubt</a></b><br>Sarah's initial doubt turned into faith. This teaches us that God can work through our doubts to strengthen our faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>Reflect on God's past faithfulness as a foundation for trusting Him with future promises.<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/is_anything_too_hard_for_the_lord.htm">Is anything too hard for the Lord?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_zeal.htm">Is anything too hard for the Lord?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_the_author_of_1_samuel.htm">What does 'Nothing Will Be Impossible with God' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_elizabeth's_conception_a_miracle.htm">Luke 1:13–20: Is the elderly Elizabeth’s conception a supernatural miracle, or is it merely echoing mythological or legendary motifs? </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>(14) <span class= "bld">Is anything too hard for the Lord?</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">Is anything too wonderful for Jehovah? </span>At last it is made evident that the travellers are messengers from God; but until this declaration, there could have been, at most, only a dim feeling that the visitation was more than human. Though the angel does not claim for himself divinity, yet the narrator prefixes to his words, <span class= "ital">And Jehovah said. </span>In some ineffable way there was an identity between Jehovah and the angel.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Is any thing too hard for the Lord</span>? Literally, <span class="accented">Is any word too wonderful, i.e.</span> impossible, for Jehovah <span class="greek">μὴ ἀδυνατήσει</span> <span class="greek">παρὰ τῷ θεῷ ῤῆμα</span> (LXX.), with which may be compared <a href="/luke/1-37.htm">Luke 1:37</a>. <span class="cmt_word">At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life</span> (<span class="accented">vide supra</span>, Ver. 10), <span class="cmt_word">and Sarah shall have a son.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/18-14.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">Is anything</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּבָ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(dā·ḇār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">too difficult</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲיִפָּלֵ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(hă·yip·pā·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6381.htm">Strong's 6381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To separate, distinguish, to be, great, difficult, wonderful</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the LORD?</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵיְהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">At the appointed time</span><br /><span class="heb">לַמּוֹעֵ֞ד</span> <span class="translit">(lam·mō·w·‘êḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4150.htm">Strong's 4150: </a> </span><span class="str2">Appointed time, place, or meeting</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will return</span><br /><span class="heb">אָשׁ֥וּב</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·šūḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to you—</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלֶ֛יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·le·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in about a year—</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּעֵ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(kā·‘êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> </span><span class="str2">Time, now, when</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Sarah</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְשָׂרָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·śā·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | 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">will have a son.”</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḇên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/18-14.htm">OT Law: Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for Yahweh? At (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/18-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 18:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 18:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/18-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 18:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 18:15" /></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>