Genesis 21:6
Genesis 21:6 in Multiple Translations
Then Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me.”
¶ And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh; every one that heareth will laugh with me.
And Sarah said, God has given me cause for laughing, and everyone who has news of it will be laughing with me.
Sarah declared, “God has made me laugh, and all those who hear about this will laugh with me.”
Then Sarah said, God hath made me to reioyce: all that heare will reioyce with me.
and Sarah saith, 'God hath made laughter for me; every one who is hearing laugheth for me.'
Sarah said, “God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me.”
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
And Sara said: God hath made a laughter for me: whosoever shall hear of it will laugh with me.
And Sarah said, “Although I was sad before because I did not have any children, God has now enabled me to laugh, and everyone who hears about what God has done for me will laugh with me.”
Sarah said, “God is giving me something to laugh about now, and everyone that hears this story will be happy with me, and they will laugh too.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 21:6
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 21:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תֹּ֣אמֶר
שָׂרָ֔ה
צְחֹ֕ק
עָ֥שָׂה
לִ֖/י
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
כָּל
הַ/שֹּׁמֵ֖עַ
יִֽצְחַק
לִֽ/י
וַ/תֹּ֣אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
שָׂרָ֔ה
Sârâh
H8283
Sarah
N-proper
צְחֹ֕ק
tsᵉchôq
H6712
laughter
N-ms
עָ֥שָׂה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
לִ֖/י
Prep | Suff
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
הַ/שֹּׁמֵ֖עַ
shâmaʻ
H8085
to hear
Art | V-Qal
יִֽצְחַק
tsâchaq
H6711
to laugh
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לִֽ/י
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 21:6
וַ/תֹּ֣אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
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.
שָׂרָ֔ה
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.
צְחֹ֕ק
tsᵉchôq
H6712
"laughter"
N-ms
Laughter, whether in joy or mockery, as when God laughed at the nations in Psalm 2. It's a strong expression of emotion.
Definition: laughter, laughing stock
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: laugh(-ed to scorn). See also: Genesis 21:6; Ezekiel 23:32.
עָ֥שָׂה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לִ֖/י
""
Prep | Suff
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הַ/שֹּׁמֵ֖עַ
shâmaʻ
H8085
"to hear"
Art | V-Qal
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
יִֽצְחַק
tsâchaq
H6711
"to laugh"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To laugh outright in joy or scorn, as seen in Genesis when Abraham laughed at God's promise. It implies a strong emotional response, often translated as 'laugh' or 'mock'.
Definition: 1) to laugh, mock, play 1a) (Qal) to laugh 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to jest 1b2) to sport, play, make sport, toy with, make a toy of
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: laugh, mock, play, make sport. See also: Genesis 17:17; Genesis 21:9; Judges 16:25.
לִֽ/י
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Genesis 21:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 21:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 21:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 21:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 21:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 21:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 21:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 21:6
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 21:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 21:6
- Sermons on Genesis 21:6
Context — The Birth of Isaac
4When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded him.
5Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
6Then Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me.”
7She added, “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” 8So the child grew and was weaned, and Abraham held a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 126:2 | Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” |
| 2 | Isaiah 54:1 | “Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD. |
| 3 | 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?” |
| 4 | Luke 1:58 | Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. |
| 5 | Galatians 4:27–28 | For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.” Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. |
| 6 | Luke 1:46–55 | Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful, as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.” |
| 7 | Isaiah 49:21 | Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. So who has reared them? Look, I was left all alone, so where did they come from?’” |
| 8 | Luke 1:14 | He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, |
| 9 | Psalms 113:9 | He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah! |
| 10 | Romans 12:15 | Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. |
Genesis 21:6 Summary
In this verse, Sarah is saying that God has made her very happy by giving her a son, Isaac, even though she was very old. This was a miracle, and Sarah is thrilled that God has done something so amazing. As we read in Genesis 18:12, Sarah had previously laughed in unbelief when she heard the promise of a son, but now she is laughing with joy. This shows us that God can bring joy and laughter into our lives, even when we don't expect it, and that He is a God who keeps His promises, as seen in Genesis 17:16 and Psalm 126:2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Sarah say that God had made her laugh?
Sarah said that God had made her laugh because she had given birth to a son, Isaac, at an old age, which was a miraculous and unexpected event, as seen in Genesis 21:5, where it is written that Abraham was a hundred years old when Isaac was born to him, and also in Genesis 18:12, where Sarah had previously laughed in unbelief when she heard the promise of a son.
What does it mean for God to make someone laugh?
In this context, God making Sarah laugh means that He has brought her joy and delight, which is a theme seen throughout the Bible, such as in Psalm 126:2, where it is written that 'our mouth was filled with laughter' when God restores and blesses His people.
How does this verse relate to the promise of God to Abraham and Sarah?
This verse relates to the promise of God to Abraham and Sarah, as seen in Genesis 17:16 and Genesis 18:10, where God promised to give them a son, and now that promise has been fulfilled, bringing laughter and joy to Sarah.
What can we learn from Sarah's response to the birth of Isaac?
We can learn from Sarah's response that God is a God of surprise and delight, and that He can bring joy and laughter into our lives, even in unexpected ways, as seen in Isaiah 55:8-9, where it is written that God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God has brought laughter and joy into my life, and how can I thank Him for those blessings?
- How can I, like Sarah, trust in God's promises and timing, even when they seem impossible or delayed?
- What are some areas of my life where I need to trust in God's power and provision, and how can I pray for Him to bring laughter and joy into those areas?
- How can I share the joy and laughter that God has brought into my life with others, and be a blessing to those around me?
- What can I learn from Sarah's example of humility and faith, and how can I apply those lessons to my own life and relationships?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 21:6
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh,.... This she said on occasion of the name of her son Isaac, which name her husband had given him by divine direction, and to which she assented.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 21:6
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 21:6
Before, my own distrustful heart made me to laugh, now God makes me laugh, not through diffidence and irreverence, as before, , but through excess of holy joy. All that hear will laugh with me; or, at me; some through sympathy rejoicing with me and for me, laughter being oft put for joy, as , &c.; other’ s through scorn and derision, as at a thing which well may seem incredible to them, because it did so to me. See 18:12,13,15.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 21:6
Genesis 21:6 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, [so that] all that hear will laugh with me.Ver. 6. God hath made me to laugh.] "A wise son maketh a glad father". Monstri autem simil est, quando pro risu sunt fletus, sunt flagellum . And yet this is many a good man’ s case. How many parents are put to wish Moses’ wish, "Lord, if I have found favour in thy sight, kill me, that I behold not my misery!" Had he lived to see what ways his grandchild Jonathan took, what a grief would it have been unto him! "Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh," &c. In the best Hebrew copies, Nun is suspended in that name: whereupon the Hebrews descant, that this Gershom was the son of Moses; but because he and his posterity walked not in the ways of Moses, but rather of Manasses, and did his works: therefore the penman of this book would not so far disgrace Moses, as to make him his son, as indeed he was, but rather of Manasses, whom he imitated and resembled. How much better and happier had it been for them both if they had expressed their father’ s manners, as Constantine’ s sons did: of whom it is said, that they had put on whole Constantine, and in all good things did exactly resemble him. Ac proinde studio inseruisse literam Nun, suspensam tamen; in signum, eam adesse vel abesse posse, ut sit et filius ξשׁδ vel ξαשׁδ, istius prosapia, huius imitatione. - Buxtorf. Tiber. δλονενεδυσαντοτον Kονσταντινον, εμπρεποντεςτοιςτουπατροςκαλλωπισμασιν - Euseb.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 21:6
(6, 7) God hath made me to laugh.—Sarah’s laugh was one of mingled emotions. Joy was uppermost in her mind, but women do not laugh for joy at the birth of a child. Doubtless she called to mind the feelings with which she listened to the announcement of her bearing a son, made by those whom she then regarded as mere passing wayfarers (Genesis 18:12), but whom she had now long known to be the messengers of God. And still the event seemed to her marvellous and astonishing, so that “all that hear,” she said, “will laugh with me”—Heb., for me, or over me—not “will ridicule me,” but will be merry at the thought of an old woman of ninety having a son. Deeper feelings would come afterwards, and the acknowledgment that that which was contrary to nature was wrought by Him whom nature must obey; but surprise is uppermost in the little poem in which Sarah gives utterance to her first feelings:— Who would have said unto Abraham Sarah suckleth sons? For I have borne a son to his old age.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 21:6
Verse 6. God hath made me to laugh] Sarah alludes here to the circumstance mentioned Genesis 18:12; and as she seems to use the word to laugh in this place, not in the sense of being incredulous but to express such pleasure or happiness as almost suspends the reasoning faculty for a time, it justifies the observation on the above-named verse. See a similar case in Lu 24:41, where the disciples were so overcome with the good news of our Lord's resurrection, that it is said, They believed not for joy.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 21:6
6. God hath made me to laugh] R.V. marg. prepared laughter for me. Once more in connexion with the birth of Isaac the thought of laughter recurs: see Genesis 17:17 (P), Genesis 18:12-15 (J). This time we have the tradition preserved by E. It is not clear that the two clauses of this verse mean the same thing. According to R.V. text, the first clause refers the laughter to Sarah’s own happiness and exultation: the second clause refers it to the merry reception of the unexpected news by those who would laugh incredulously. According to R.V. marg., the latter meaning attaches also to the first clause; and both clauses, meaning the same thing, are explained by Genesis 21:7. The R.V. text is perhaps to be preferred. It preserves two traditional explanations of the laughter associated with Isaac’s birth. Certainly the laughter of Sarah’s personal happiness seems to be the point of St Paul’s quotation from Isaiah 54:1, “rejoice thou barren that bearest not,” in a passage where the Apostle is allegorizing this chapter (Galatians 4:22-31). with me] Better, at me.
The preposition “with” is hardly correct, though it is supported by the LXX συγχαρεῖται, Lat. corridebit mihi. The original represents Sarah as the object of the laughter; and amusement, not derision, as its cause.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 21:6
6. Sarah said — This is the magnificat of Sarah, and may be compared with Luke 1:46-55. Never before had Sarah felt such thrills of joy, or uttered language of such prophetic fervour.
Sermons on Genesis 21:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Bed and Its Covering by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the contentment of a Christian who lives in poverty but finds joy and satisfaction in the presence of God. The preacher contrasts this with t |
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Joyous Laughter by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher shares stories of individuals whose lives were transformed by encountering God through Jesus. One example is Mr. Dube, an alcoholic who was unable to b |
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Spiritual Sacrifices by William Ray | William Ray emphasizes the significance of offering spiritual sacrifices, particularly the sacrifice of praise and joy, as essential to fulfilling God's will. He illustrates this t |
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A Merry Heart Doeth Good Like a Medicine by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the healing power of joy in his sermon 'A Merry Heart Doeth Good Like a Medicine.' He cites King Solomon's wisdom, asserting that a merry heart acts as a re |
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Off for America by D.L. Moody | D.L. Moody shares a poignant story of two boys departing for America, highlighting the emotional farewells from their friends and family, particularly a widow who embraces one boy |
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The Gospel by Tim Keller | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the three results of the gospel that flow into our lives: restructuring of the heart, removal of sin, and reversal of values. The restructurin |
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Breaking Out of the Boundaries by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the tendency of Christians to resist change and cling to the familiar. He uses the analogy of bears on a canoe trip to illustrate this point. |