Genesis 18:9
Genesis 18:9 in Multiple Translations
“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked. “There, in the tent,” he replied.
¶ And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
And they said to him, Where is Sarah your wife? And he said, She is in the tent.
“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “Over there, inside the tent,” he replied.
Then they saide to him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he answered, Beholde, she is in the tent.
And they say unto him, 'Where [is] Sarah thy wife?' and he saith, 'Lo — in the tent;'
They asked him, “Where is Sarah, your wife?” He said, “There, in the tent.”
And they said to him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
And when they had eaten, they said to him: Where is Sara thy wife? He answered: Lo, she is in the tent.
One of them asked him, “Where is Sarah, your wife?” He replied, “She is in the tent.”
Then they said to Abraham, “Where is your wife, Sarah?” Abraham said, “She is right here, in our tent.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 18:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 18:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּאמְר֣וּ
אֵׄלָׄ֔יׄ/וׄ
אַיֵּ֖ה
שָׂרָ֣ה
אִשְׁתֶּ֑/ךָ
וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר
הִנֵּ֥ה
בָ/אֹֽהֶל
וַ/יֹּאמְר֣וּ
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
אֵׄלָׄ֔יׄ/וׄ
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
אַיֵּ֖ה
ʼayêh
H346
where?
Part
שָׂרָ֣ה
Sârâh
H8283
Sarah
N-proper
אִשְׁתֶּ֑/ךָ
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fs | Suff
וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הִנֵּ֥ה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Part
בָ/אֹֽהֶל
ʼôhel
H168
tent
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 18:9
וַ/יֹּאמְר֣וּ
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אֵׄלָׄ֔יׄ/וׄ
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
אַיֵּ֖ה
ʼayêh
H346
"where?"
Part
The Hebrew word for where, used to ask for the location of someone or something. It appears in various biblical contexts, including rhetorical questions.
Definition: 1) where? 1a) of persons, things 1b) rhetorical
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: where. See also: Genesis 18:9; Isaiah 33:18; Psalms 42:4.
שָׂרָ֣ה
Sârâh
H8283
"Sarah"
N-proper
Sarah was Abraham's wife and the mother of Isaac, a key figure in the book of Genesis. Her name means noblewoman, reflecting her high social status. She is first mentioned in Genesis 11:29.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.29; daughter of: Terah (H8646); sister of: Abraham (H0085), Nahor (H5152H) and Haran (H2039); married to Abraham (H0085); mother of: Isaac (H3327); also called Sarai at Gen.11.29,30,31; 12.5,11,17; 16.1,2,3,5,6,8; 17.15; § Sarah = "noblewoman" wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: Sarah. See also: Genesis 17:15; Genesis 21:1; Isaiah 51:2.
אִשְׁתֶּ֑/ךָ
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
הִנֵּ֥ה
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
בָ/אֹֽהֶל
ʼôhel
H168
"tent"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for a tent, often used to describe the tabernacle or a nomad's home. In Exodus 33:7-11, it refers to the sacred tent where God meets with Moses.
Definition: : tent 1) tent 1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience 1b) dwelling, home, habitation 1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle) Also means: o.hel (אֹ֫הֶל ": home" H0168H)
Usage: Occurs in 314 OT verses. KJV: covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent. See also: Genesis 4:20; Leviticus 14:23; Joshua 22:4.
Study Notes — Genesis 18:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 18:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 18:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 18:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 18:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 18:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 18:9
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 18:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 18:9
- Sermons on Genesis 18:9
Context — Sarah Laughs at the Promise
7Meanwhile, Abraham ran to the herd, selected a tender and choice calf, and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.
8Then Abraham brought curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and he set them before the men and stood by them under the tree as they ate.
9“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked. “There, in the tent,” he replied.
10Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent. 11And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Titus 2:5 | to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited. |
| 2 | Genesis 24:67 | And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death. |
| 3 | Genesis 4:9 | And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” |
| 4 | Genesis 31:33 | So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, then Leah’s tent, and then the tents of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. |
Genesis 18:9 Summary
This verse shows Abraham being a good host and answering the visitors' questions about his wife Sarah. The visitors were interested in Sarah because they had a special message from God for her, as we see in Genesis 18:10. Abraham's response shows that he is willing to share information about his family with these guests, who are actually divine messengers (as hinted in Genesis 18:1-8). This simple conversation sets the stage for a miraculous announcement that will change Abraham and Sarah's lives forever, much like the promises God made to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the visitors ask about Sarah?
The visitors asked about Sarah because they were sent by God and were about to announce a miraculous birth, as seen in Genesis 18:10, which would involve Sarah directly.
Who were the men asking about Sarah?
The men asking about Sarah were divine visitors, as implied by the context of Genesis 18:1-8, where Abraham shows them hospitality, and Genesis 18:10, where the LORD speaks to Abraham about Sarah having a son.
Why did Abraham point out where Sarah was?
Abraham pointed out where Sarah was because he was being a good host, as seen in Genesis 18:1-8, and also because he was likely curious about why the visitors were inquiring about his wife, showing a mix of hospitality and curiosity.
What is the significance of the tent where Sarah was?
The tent where Sarah was, as mentioned in Genesis 18:9, represents the domestic and private sphere of Abraham's life, which is about to be impacted by the divine announcement in Genesis 18:10, highlighting the intersection of the divine and human realms.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about Abraham's relationship with his wife Sarah and how does it reflect his character?
- How does this interaction between Abraham and the visitors set the stage for the miraculous announcement that follows in Genesis 18:10?
- What can we learn from Abraham's example of hospitality in Genesis 18:1-8 and how can we apply it to our own lives?
- How does this verse contribute to the broader theme of faith and trust in God's promises, as seen in Genesis 12:1-3 and Genesis 15:1-6?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 18:9
And they said unto him, where [is] Sarah thy wife?.... One of them put the question; and so the Septuagint version renders it, "and he said unto him", the principal of them, whom Abraham at first
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 18:9
And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 18:9
They said unto him, i.e. one of them, in the name of all, said; which he did not for his own satisfaction, for he who knew her name knew also where she was, but to give occasion for the following discourse. In the tent; in her tent; for men and women had then their several tents or apartments.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 18:9
Genesis 18:9 And they said unto him, Where [is] Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.Ver. 9. Behold, in the tent.] David compares a good woman to the vines upon the walls of the house, because she cleaveth to her house. Others to a snail, that carrieth her house on her back. St Paul reckons it for a virtue in a woman to "keep at home"; and Solomon for a sign of a lewd housewife, that "her feet abide not in her house". Among the Grecians, the bride was carried through the streets in a chariot, the axle spokes was burnt, to signify that she must keep home.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 18:9
(9) They said.—But in Genesis 18:10 “he said,” and in Genesis 18:13; Genesis 18:17; Genesis 18:20, &c, “the Lord (Jehovah) said.” The messenger speaks as one with Jehovah, or as being His representative. Where is Sarah thy wife?—This question is contrary to Oriental manners, as the women may be referred to only in the most indirect manner. But during the meal Abraham, as he talked with the strangers, had probably begun to recognise in them something more than human.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 18:9
9. Sarah thy wife] The knowledge of his wife’s name must have caused Abraham surprise, and gives perhaps the first indication of his guests’ real character.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 18:9
9. Where is Sarah — Here comes out the main purpose of their visit. Sarah’s lack of faith must be overcome by a divinely inspired confidence that will put all doubt and trifling aside.
Sermons on Genesis 18:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Genesis) Genesis 18:9-16 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Abraham entertaining three guests, who are later revealed to be angels. The guests inquire about Sarah, Abraham's wife, who is |
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The Inspired Moment and the Inspired Walk by Richard E. Bieber | Richard E. Bieber preaches on the inspired moments in Abraham's life when God spoke to him, emphasizing the importance of recognizing these moments as gifts from God and welcoming |
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(Genesis) Genesis 24:58 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses a scene from the Bible where a servant is sent to find a bride for Isaac, the son of Abraham. The servant tells the family about Isaac's mira |
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(Genesis) Genesis 24:59-67 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher tells the story of Rebekah and Isaac from the Bible. Rebekah asks the servant to tell her about Isaac again, specifically about his birth and how his f |
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(Genesis) Genesis 24:1 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Genesis chapter 24, which tells the story of Abraham sending his servant to find a bride for his son Isaac. The preacher emphasizes the lead |
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Knowing God's Will by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a young man who became paralyzed and was abandoned by his wife. Despite his anger and despair, the man turned to God and prayed fo |
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(Genesis) - Part 21 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of looking for spiritual qualities rather than earthly qualities when seeking a partner. He highlights the problems that can a |