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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 17:17 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?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/17-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/01_Gen_17_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 17:17 - The Covenant of Circumcision" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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?" /><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/17-17.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/17-17.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/17.htm">Chapter 17</a> > Verse 17</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="/ad17.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/17-16.htm" title="Genesis 17:16">◄</a> Genesis 17:17 <a href="/genesis/17-18.htm" title="Genesis 17:18">►</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/17.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/17.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, &#8220Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</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="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall <i>a child</i> be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall <i>a child</i> be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear <i>a child?</i>”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to a man a hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth <i>to a child?</i>”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, &#8220Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear <i>a child?</i>”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said in his heart, “Will <i>a son</i> be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear <i>a son</i>?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear <i>a child?”</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a hundred-year-old man? Can Sarah, a ninety-year-old woman, give birth? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, &#8220Can a child be born to a hundred-year-old man? Can Sarah, a ninety-year-old woman, give birth?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Abraham bowed with his face to the ground and thought, "I am almost 100 years old. How can I become a father? And Sarah is 90. How can she have a child?" So he started laughing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Immediately, Abraham bowed with his face touching the ground. He laughed as he thought to himself, "Can a son be born to a hundred-year-old man? Can Sarah, a ninety-year-old woman, have a child?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Abraham bowed down with his face touching the ground, but he began to laugh when he thought, "Can a man have a child when he is a hundred years old? Can Sarah have a child at ninety?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Abraham fell to the ground, laughed, and told himself, "Can a child be born to a 100-year-old man? Can a 90-year-old Sarah give birth?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</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="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then Abraham bowed down with his face to the ground and laughed as he said to himself, "Can a son be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then Abraham fell on his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, "Will a child be born to him who is one hundred years old? Will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born to him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then Abraham fell on his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to him who is one hundred years old? Will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abraham falls on his face, and laughs, and says in his heart, “Is one born to the son of one hundred years? Or does Sarah—daughter of ninety years—bear?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Abraham falleth upon his face, and laugheth, and saith in his heart, 'To the son of an hundred years is one born? or doth Sarah -- daughter of ninety years -- bear?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Abraham will fall upon his face and laugh, and will say in his heart, Shall there be born to the son of a hundred years? and shall Sarah the daughter of ninety years, bring forth?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, saying in his heart: Shall a son, thinkest thou, be born to him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sara that is ninety years old bring forth? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Abraham fell on his face, and he laughed, saying in his heart: “Do you think a son can be born to a one hundred year old man? And will Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Abraham fell face down and laughed as he said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at ninety?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said in his heart, Shall a son be born to him who is a hundred years old? Or shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmayl may live before you!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart: 'Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Abraam fell upon his face, and laughed; and spoke in his heart, saying, Shall there be a child to one who is a hundred years old, and shall Sarrha who is ninety years old, bear?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/17-17.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=3591" 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/17.htm">The Covenant of Circumcision</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.” <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/85.htm" title="85: ’aḇ·rā·hām (N-proper-ms) -- Contracted from 'ab and an unused root; father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram.">Abraham</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: way·yip·pōl (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">fell facedown.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pā·nāw (N-cpc:: 3ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6711.htm" title="6711: way·yiṣ·ḥāq (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To laugh. A primitive root; to laugh outright; by implication, to sport.">Then he laughed</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.">and said</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: bə·lib·bōw (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">to himself,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: yiw·wā·lêḏ (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">“Can a child be born</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: hal·lə·ḇen (Art, Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">to a man who is</a> <a href="/hebrew/3967.htm" title="3967: mê·’āh- (Number-fs) -- Hundred. Or metyah; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction.">a hundred</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years old?</a> <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.">Can Sarah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1323.htm" title="1323: hă·ḇaṯ- (Art:: N-fsc) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: tê·lêḏ (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">give birth</a> <a href="/hebrew/8673.htm" title="8673: tiš·‘îm (Number-cp) -- Ninety. Multiple from tesha'; ninety.">at the age of ninety?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year."></a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!”…<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="/romans/4-19.htm">Romans 4:19-20</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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-11.htm">Hebrews 11:11-12</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. / And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-18.htm">Luke 1:18</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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/18-12.htm">Genesis 18:12-14</a></span><br />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.”<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="/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="/luke/1-34.htm">Luke 1:34-37</a></span><br />“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” / The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. / Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/15-4.htm">Genesis 15:4-6</a></span><br />Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.” / And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” / Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-1.htm">Genesis 21:1-2</a></span><br />Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God 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="/numbers/11-21.htm">Numbers 11:21-23</a></span><br />But Moses replied, “Here I am among 600,000 men on foot, yet You say, ‘I will give them meat, and they will eat for a month.’ / If all our flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would they have enough? Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?” / 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="/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="/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="/isaiah/51-2.htm">Isaiah 51:2</a></span><br />Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-1.htm">1 Samuel 2:1-10</a></span><br />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. / There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God. / Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by Him actions are weighed. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then Abraham fell on his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born to him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?</p><p class="hdg">fell.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/17-3.htm">Genesis 17:3</a></b></br> And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/9-24.htm">Leviticus 9:24</a></b></br> And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: <i>which</i> when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/14-5.htm">Numbers 14:5</a></b></br> Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.</p><p class="hdg">laughed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/18-12.htm">Genesis 18:12</a></b></br> Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/21-6.htm">Genesis 21:6</a></b></br> And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, <i>so that</i> all that hear will laugh with me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/8-56.htm">John 8:56</a></b></br> Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw <i>it</i>, and was glad.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/17-15.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/15-15.htm">Age</a> <a href="/genesis/16-11.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/genesis/16-16.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">Born</a> <a href="/genesis/17-14.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/11-31.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/genesis/17-3.htm">Face</a> <a href="/genesis/17-3.htm">Facedown</a> <a href="/genesis/17-3.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/genesis/8-21.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-36.htm">Laughed</a> <a href="/genesis/17-1.htm">Ninety</a> <a href="/genesis/17-15.htm">Sarah</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/17-18.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/18-11.htm">Age</a> <a href="/genesis/17-19.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/genesis/17-21.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">Born</a> <a href="/genesis/18-13.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/19-31.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/genesis/18-2.htm">Face</a> <a href="/numbers/14-5.htm">Facedown</a> <a href="/genesis/19-1.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/genesis/18-5.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/genesis/21-5.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/genesis/18-12.htm">Laughed</a> <a href="/genesis/17-24.htm">Ninety</a> <a href="/genesis/17-19.htm">Sarah</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-1.htm">God renews the covenant with Abram, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-5.htm">and changes his name to Abraham, in token of a greater blessing.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-9.htm">Circumcision is instituted.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-15.htm">Sarai's name is changed to Sarah, and she is blessed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-17.htm">Isaac is promised, and the time of his birth fixed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised.</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'; 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It signifies Abraham's recognition of God's authority and his own humility. This posture is consistent with the cultural practices of the ancient Near East, where bowing or prostrating oneself was a common expression of respect and worship.<p><b>Then he laughed and said to himself,</b><br>Abraham's laughter can be interpreted as a mix of astonishment and incredulity. In the biblical context, laughter often accompanies the announcement of miraculous births (e.g., <a href="/genesis/18-12.htm">Genesis 18:12</a>, <a href="/luke/1-18.htm">Luke 1:18</a>). This internal dialogue reflects a moment of human doubt and wonder at God's promise, highlighting the tension between faith and skepticism. The laughter is not necessarily one of disbelief but rather a reaction to the extraordinary nature of God's promise.<p><b>“Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old?</b><br>Abraham's question underscores the improbability of the situation from a human perspective. At this point in the narrative, Abraham is 99 years old (<a href="/genesis/17.htm">Genesis 17:1</a>), and the promise of a son seems biologically impossible. This highlights the theme of God's power to fulfill His promises despite natural limitations, a recurring motif in Scripture (e.g., <a href="/romans/4-19.htm">Romans 4:19-21</a>). The question also serves to emphasize the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth, prefiguring the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ.<p><b>Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?”</b><br>Sarah's age further compounds the improbability of the promise, as she is well beyond the typical childbearing years. This detail emphasizes the miraculous intervention required for the fulfillment of God's covenant. The cultural context of the time placed great importance on lineage and descendants, making the promise of a son particularly significant. This moment foreshadows the New Testament theme of God's ability to bring life from barrenness, as seen in the birth of John the Baptist to Elizabeth (<a href="/luke/1-7.htm">Luke 1:7, 36</a>-37).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>Originally named Abram, he is the central figure in this passage. God has made a covenant with him, promising that he will be the father of many nations.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/sarah.htm">Sarah</a></b><br>Abraham's wife, originally named Sarai. She is central to the promise of bearing a child despite her old age.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_covenant.htm">God's Covenant</a></b><br>The broader context of this passage is God's covenant with Abraham, which includes the promise of a son, Isaac, through whom God's promises will be fulfilled.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/l/laughter.htm">Laughter</a></b><br>Abraham's reaction to God's promise is laughter, which can be seen as a mix of disbelief and amazement at the miraculous nature of God's promise.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/age.htm">Age</a></b><br>The ages of Abraham (100) and Sarah (90) are significant, highlighting the miraculous nature of the promised birth.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_the_impossible.htm">Faith in the Impossible</a></b><br>Abraham's laughter reflects a human response to the seemingly impossible. Yet, it is a reminder that God's promises transcend human limitations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_timing.htm">God's Timing</a></b><br>The ages of Abraham and Sarah remind us that God's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed by human standards.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_laughter.htm">The Nature of Laughter</a></b><br>Laughter can be a response of disbelief, but it can also transform into joy and amazement as God's promises unfold.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_promises.htm">Trust in God's Promises</a></b><br>Despite initial doubts, Abraham's account encourages believers to trust in God's promises, knowing that He is faithful.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/transformation_of_doubt_to_faith.htm">Transformation of Doubt to Faith</a></b><br>Abraham's journey from laughter to faith is a testament to how God can transform our doubts into steadfast belief.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_doubt.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on doubt?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_abraham_father_a_child_at_100.htm">How could Abraham, at nearly 100 years old, realistically father a child (Genesis 17:1, 17:17)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_sarah_conceive_despite_her_age.htm">How could Sarah conceive at such an advanced age if Genesis 21:2 contradicts natural biological limits? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_sarah's_late_conception_fit_today.htm">Hebrews 11:11 – If Sarah conceived in her old age, how does this align with modern medical understanding of fertility limits? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">Abraham . . . laughed.</span>--The Jewish interpreters regard Abraham's laugh as one of joy, and Sarah's (<a href="/genesis/18-12.htm" title="Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?">Genesis 18:12</a>) as one of unbelief. We may, however, well doubt whether there really was this difference between them; but our Lord confirms the View that joy was uppermost in Abraham's heart (<a href="/john/8-56.htm" title="Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.">John 8:56</a>). Still with belief there was surprise, and the feeling that what was promised was so strange as to be well-nigh incredible. One who was ready to sacrifice his only son at God's word (<a href="/hebrews/11-19.htm" title="Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from where also he received him in a figure.">Hebrews 11:19</a>) would not be staggered by this strangeness, and yet the thought of Sarah's bearing a child at the age of ninety might easily present itself to his mind in a ludicrous aspect. As for Sarah, there is no proof that at the time when she laughed she knew or even suspected that the three travellers were more than men. She overheard their conversation, and laughed, imagining perhaps that they did not know how old she was. Really, the idea brought out by this double laughter is that Isaac's birth was contrary to nature.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Then Abraham fell upon his face</span> (<span class="accented">vide</span> Ver. 3), <span class="cmt_word">and laughed.</span> <span class="hebrew">וַיּצְחָק</span> from <span class="hebrew">צָחַק</span>, to laugh. Cf. <span class="greek">καχάζω καγχάζω</span>, <span class="accented">cachin-nor</span>, German, <span class="accented">kichern</span>; <span class="greek">καὶ ἀγέλασε</span> (LXX.); rejoiced (Onkelos); marveled (Jerome, Targums); laughed for joy (Arabic version, Augustine, Calvin, Delitzsch, Keil, Murphy, <span class="accented">et alii</span>); not a smile of incredulity (Jerome, Chrysostom) or of diffidence (Kalisch), as partitionists assert in order to produce a contradiction between the Elohist and Jehovist of <a href="/genesis/15.htm">Genesis 15</a>. <span class="cmt_word">And said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is</span> (literally, <span class="accented">to the son of</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>an hundred years old</span>? A suggestion of natural reason which was overruled by faith (Calvin, Wordsworth), though better regarded as the exclamation of holy wonder, or as an illustration of believing not for joy (Inglis; cf. <a href="/luke/24-41.htm">Luke 24:41</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?</span> Yes. What reason declared impossible was possible to faith. "He considered not the deadness of Sarah s womb" (<a href="/romans/4-19.htm">Romans 4:19</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/17-17.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">Abraham</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְרָהָ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(’aḇ·rā·hām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_85.htm">Strong's 85: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fell facedown.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּפֹּ֧ל</span> <span class="translit">(way·yip·pōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall, lie</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Then he laughed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּצְחָ֑ק</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiṣ·ḥāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine 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">and said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמֶר</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">to himself,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּלִבּ֗וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·lib·bōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Can a child be born</span><br /><span class="heb">יִוָּלֵ֔ד</span> <span class="translit">(yiw·wā·lêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to a man who is</span><br /><span class="heb">הַלְּבֶ֤ן</span> <span class="translit">(hal·lə·ḇen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a hundred</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאָֽה־</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’āh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3967.htm">Strong's 3967: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hundred</span><br /><br /><span class="word">years old?</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁנָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(šā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> </span><span class="str2">A year</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Can Sarah</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׂרָ֔ה</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">give birth</span><br /><span class="heb">תֵּלֵֽד׃</span> <span class="translit">(tê·lêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at the age of ninety?”</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּשְׁעִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(tiš·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8673.htm">Strong's 8673: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ninety</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/17-17.htm">Genesis 17:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/17-17.htm">Genesis 17:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/17-17.htm">Genesis 17:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/17-17.htm">Genesis 17:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/17-17.htm">Genesis 17:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/17-17.htm">Genesis 17:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/17-17.htm">Genesis 17:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/17-17.htm">Genesis 17:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/17-17.htm">Genesis 17:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/17-17.htm">Genesis 17:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/17-17.htm">OT Law: Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell on his face (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/17-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 17:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 17:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/17-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 17:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 17:18" /></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>