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Genesis 18:12 — Word Study

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WLCוַתִּצְחַ֥ק שָׂרָ֖ה בְּקִרְבָּ֣הּ לֵאמֹ֑ר אַחֲרֵ֤י בְלֹתִי֙ הָֽיְתָה־ לִּ֣י עֶדְנָ֔ה וַֽאדֹנִ֖י זָקֵֽן׃

BSASo [she]Sârâh [Sarah, the noblewoman] laughedtsâchaq [with scorn or joy] to herselfqereb sayingʼâmar Afterʼachar [following, in the rear] I am worn outbâlâh [become old, used up] and my masterʼâdôwn [lord, husband] is oldzâqên [aged] will I now havehâyâh [experience, enjoy] this pleasureʻêden [delight, a state of joy or happiness]

Word
Listen & take awayGenesis 18
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 12 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (za.Ken) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Genesis 18:12quick helps
In a sentenceSarah laughed to herself, questioning whether she would experience pleasure in her old age.
Who is speakingSarah, Abraham's wife, speaks quietly to herself.
Where we areIn the narrative of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah regarding the birth of Isaac.
The hard wordעֶדְנָה
Take awayThe laughter reflects disbelief mixed with a hint of joy.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectשָׂרָה verbצָחַק The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Genesis 18:12

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Promise of a Songenerated

11And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.
12So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”
13And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’
14Is 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.”

Genesis 18:12 occurs in the context of God's promise to Abraham that he and Sarah would have a son, despite their old age. This passage captures Sarah's reaction, revealing her skepticism about the promise due to their advanced years. It follows the narrative of God's covenant with Abraham and the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth, emphasizing the theme of faith in God's promises.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 18:13And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’
2Genesis 17:17Abraham 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?”
3Genesis 21:6–7Then Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me.”
4Psalm 126:2Then 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.”
5Luke 1:18–20“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word עֶדְנָה, 'ed.Nahgenerated

The word עֶדְנָה (ednah) refers to delight or pleasure, often connected to joy and happiness. It is derived from a root meaning pleasure and encompasses notions of delicacy and finery. In this verse, it captures Sarah's incredulity about experiencing joy at her advanced age.

The parsing indicates it is a feminine singular noun, suggesting a specific state of being or experience. The emotional weight of the word is significant, as it reflects Sarah's internal struggle between disbelief and the hope of joy.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb is וַתִּצְחַ֥ק (vatitzchak), and she laughed, which governs the sentence. The structure is complex, with various phrases describing her thoughts and emotions, emphasizing the inner dialogue Sarah has with herself.

The sentence begins with Sarah's laughter, followed by a prepositional phrase indicating where this laughter occurs, and concludes with her rhetorical question about the possibility of experiencing pleasure at her age.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וַתִּצְחַ֥ק as ἐγέλασεν (ege lasen), indicating laughter, which aligns with the emotional tone of disbelief and joy. This choice reflects a direct interpretation of Sarah's reaction.

The word עֶדְנָה is rendered in the Septuagint as a term that conveys similar connotations of pleasure, emphasizing the continuity of meaning across translations.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Genesis 18:12 shows Sarah laughing to herself, doubting whether she could have pleasure in her old age. This moment highlights her disbelief in God's promise that she would bear a son, despite being past the age of childbearing.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Sarah's laughter signify?

Sarah's laughter reflects a mix of disbelief and the joy of possibility, questioning how she could experience pleasure at her age.

Why does Sarah doubt the promise of having a child?

Sarah doubts because she feels worn out and recognizes her and Abraham's advanced age, making the promise seem impossible.

What does the word 'pleasure' imply in this context?

The word 'pleasure' implies a state of joy or happiness, which Sarah finds hard to believe she could experience at her age.

How does this verse connect to the overall narrative of Genesis?

This verse connects to the broader narrative of God's covenant with Abraham, highlighting the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth and the theme of faith in God's promises.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I find it hard to believe in God's promises in my life?
  2. How can I cultivate joy and hope even in difficult circumstances?
  3. What does this passage teach me about God's ability to fulfill His promises?
  4. How can I respond to God's promises with faith rather than doubt?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

The early Church Fathers comment on this verse, reflecting on Sarah's laughter and its implications for faith and obedience.

JeromeVerse 12. c. 347–420
But Sarah laughed within herself, saying: After I am waxed old, shall I have pleasure? It is much differently read in Hebrew: And Sarah laughed within herself, saying: After I have withered,
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 18 →
BedeCommentary on Genesis (Hexaemeron) c. 673–735
Who laughed secretly, saying: After I have grown old and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure? The Apostle Peter recalls this sentence when, admonishing women to obey their husbands, he added: "As Sarah obeyed Abraham,
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 18 →
BedeCommentary on Genesis (Hexaemeron) c. 673–735
Why did Sarah laugh, saying: "Shall I indeed bear a child, old as I am?" It remains to be understood that when she heard that Sarah would bear a son, Abraham had previously laughed in wonder with joy,
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 18 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Genesis 18:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Therefore Sarah laughed within herself,.... Not for joy of a son, and as pleased with it, believing so it would be; but as disbelieving it, and perhaps deriding it, and confuting it with a laugh,

Read John Gill on Genesis 18 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.

Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 18 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Sarah laughed within herself; not from joy and admiration, but from distrust and contempt, as if it were incredible. Heb. In her heart, i.e. she secretly derided it, though none but herself, as she thought, knew it. Shall I have pleasure? Not so much in the conception, as in the education and fruition of a child.

Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 18 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Genesis 18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?Ver. 12. Sarah laughed.] God’ s promises seem absurd and ridiculous, many of them, to human reason, which therefore must be silenced, and shut out, as Hagar was; for it will argue carnally, as that unbelieving lord storms at God’ s offers, as Naaman at the message looks upon God’ s Jordan with Syrian eyes, as he, and after all, cries out with Nicodemus, "How can these things be?" measuring God by its own model; and casting him into its own mould. After I am waxed old, shall I lust?] Old and cold, is our English proverb; and the Greek word for an old body signifies…

Read John Trapp on Genesis 18 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) Sarah laughed.—See Note on Genesis 17:17. The laughter of both husband and wife brings into prominence the inconceivable character of the fact. Sarah’s conduct has been very unjustly condemned. Though Abraham may have begun to guess that his visitors were more than men, she probably had no such suspicions. Sitting inside the tent, and catching their words only occasionally, listening, perhaps, now only because she heard her own name mentioned, when she hears them talk of her having a child she naturally laughs. thinking possibly that they did not know how old she was. After I am waxed old.—The Hebrew word is stronger and more lively. It means “to be worn out like an old garment.”

Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 18 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 12. Sarah laughed] Partly through pleasure at the bare idea of the possibility of the thing, and partly from a conviction that it was extremely improbable. She appears to have been in the same spirit, and to have had the same feelings of those who, unexpectedly hearing of something of great consequence to themselves, smile and say, "The news is too good to be true;", see Genesis 21:6. There is a case very similar to this mentioned Psalms 126:1-2. On Abraham's laughing, See Clarke on Genesis 17:17.

Read AdamClarke on Genesis 18 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

12. Sarah laughed within herself] This is the laughter, according to J, which furnished a reason for the name “Isaac”; and on that account it is here emphasized. See, for the reason in P, Genesis 17:17. waxed old] The word in the original is forcible, and is used elsewhere for worn-out raiment, e.g. “shall wax old like a garment,” Psalms 102:26.

Read Cambridge on Genesis 18 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

12. Sarah laughed — The context here shows that Sarah’s laugh was that of incredulity, as the context of Gen 17:17, shows that Abraham’s laughing was that of joyful wonder.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 18 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old will I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

NETBNew English Translation2006

So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, “After I am worn out will I have pleasure, especially when my husband is old too?”

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

RVARevised Version, American1894

And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am become old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Therefore Sarah laughed within her selfe, saying, After I am waxed olde, and my lord also, shall I haue lust?

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am become old, shall I have pleasure, and my lord old?

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and Abraham and Sarah [are] aged, entering into days — the way of women hath ceased to be to Sarah;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and Sarah laughs in her heart, saying, “After I have waxed old have I had pleasure? My lord [is] also old!”

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord also being old!

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

So Sarah laughed to herself, saying to herself, “After I am worn-out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And she laughed secretly, saying: After I am grown old and my lord is an old man, shall I give myself to pleasure?

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Sarah was laughing inside, saying to herself, “Now that I'm old and worn out, how would I experience pleasure? My husband is old too!”

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And Sarah, laughing to herself, said, Now that I am used up am I still to have pleasure, my husband himself being old?

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

וַandclauseverbתִּצְחַ֥קshe.laughedsubjectשָׂרָ֖הSarahprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseקִרְבָּ֣her.innerהּbeingprepositional phrase · prepositionalלֵ(cmp)clauseverbאמֹ֑רsayingclauseclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalאַחֲרֵ֤יafterclauseverbבְלֹתִIsubjectי֙am.worn.outverbהָֽיְתָהhas.it.belonged?prepositional phrase · prepositionalלִּ֣toיmesubjectעֶדְנָ֔הpleasureוַֽandclausenoun phrase · subjectאדֹנִ֖lordיmyverbזָקֵֽןhe.is.old

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text is supported by the Samaritan Pentateuch, which agrees word for word. The Septuagint, while matching 9 of the 11 words, presents a different word order, reflecting its own interpretative choices.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

וַתִּצְחַ֥ק שָׂרָ֖ה בְּקִרְבָּ֣הּ לֵאמֹ֑ר אַחֲרֵ֤י בְלֹתִי֙ הָֽיְתָה־ לִּ֣י עֶדְנָ֔ה וַֽאדֹנִ֖י זָקֵֽן׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַתִּצְחַ֥קἐγέλασενשָׂרָ֖הσαρραבְּקִרְבָּ֣הּἐνלֵאמֹ֑רλέγουσαאַחֲרֵ֤יοὔπωבְלֹתִי֙μοιהָֽיְתָה־γέγονενוַֽאדֹנִ֖יμουזָקֵֽן׃πρεσβύτερος

9 of the 11 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

ותצחק שׂרה בקרבה לאמר אחרי בלתי היתה לי עדנה ואדני זקן

Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Genesis 18:12צָחַקand she lauand she laughedצָחַקשָׂרָהSarahSarahשָׂרָהקֶ֫רֶבin inner bein inner being קֶ֫רֶבאָמַרsayingsayingאָמַראַחַרafterafterאַחַרבָּלָהam worn outam worn out Iבָּלָההָיָהhas it be[lhas it be[longeהָיָהנִיto meto meנִיעֵ֫דֶןpleasurepleasureעֵ֫דֶןאָדוֹןand lord myand lord myאָדוֹןזָקֵןhe is oldhe is oldזָקֵןקָרֵבto presentto present: comקָרֵבאָחַרto delayto delayאָחַרעָדַןto luxuriato luxuriateעָדַןשָׂרָהprincessprincessשָׂרָההָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאשָׂרָהSarahSarahשָׂרָהעִבְרִיHebrewHebrewעִבְרִיצָחַקto laughto laughצָחַקאַבְרָםAbrahamAbrahamאַבְרָםחֵ֫לֶבfatfatחֵ֫לֶבבָּעַרto burn: bto burn: burnבָּעַרכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/Godיהוהרָדַףto pursueto pursueרָדַףזָנָהto fornicato fornicateזָנָהשַׂלְמָהgarmentgarmentשַׂלְמָהעָשׁmothmothעָשׁבִּיpleasepleaseבִּי
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Genesis 18:12

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and she laughed Sarah in inner being her saying after am worn out I has it be[longed]? to me pleasure and lord my he is old
וַתִּצְחַ֥קva.titz.Chak and she laughed H6711 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
13× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
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'.
Amplified meaning
with scorn or joy
Tyndale gloss
to laugh
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צָחַק (tsachaq) is a Hebrew verb meaning to laugh, with implications of jesting, mocking, or playing. It has a root meaning of laughing outright, whether in merriment or scorn. The entries indicate its use in various forms, including Qal (to laugh) and Piel (to jest or make sport).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[צָחַק] vb. laugh

Qal laugh

Pi.

jest

sport, play

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6711 צָחַק laugh .laugh

. . jest

. sport, play

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6711 tsachaq tsaw-khak'

a primitive root; to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn);

by implication, to sport:--laugh, mock, play, make sport.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צָחַק (tsa.chaq) — to laugh.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vqw3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and she laughed Sarah in inner being her saying after am worn out I has it be[longed]? to me pleasure and lord my he is old
שָׂרָ֖הsa.Rah Sarah H8283 Noun proper feminine
38× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
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.
Amplified meaning
Sarah, the noblewoman
Tyndale gloss
Sarah
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׂרָה (Sarah) refers to the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac. The name is associated with nobility, as indicated by its meaning 'noblewoman.' Sarah is first mentioned in Genesis 11:29 and is also known as Sarai in earlier texts. She is the daughter of Terah and sister to Abraham, Nahor, and Haran.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂרָה 37 n.pr.f. wife of Abraham (princess)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8283 שָׂרָה wife of Abraham

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8283 Sarah saw-raw'

the same as 8282; Sarah, Abraham's wife:--Sarah.

see HEBREW for 08282

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂרָה (sa.rah) — Sarah.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper feminine
HNpf
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Sarah

Princess, the wife and at the same time the half-sister of Abraham (Gen. 11:29; 20:12). This name was given to her at the time that it was announced to Abraham that she should be the mother of the promised child. Her story is from her marriage identified with that of the patriarch till the time of her death. Her death, at the age of one hundred and twenty-seven years (the only instance in Scripture where the age of a woman is recorded), was the occasion of Abraham’s purchasing the cave of Machpelah as a family burying-place.

In the allegory of Gal. 4:22-31 she is the type of the “Jerusalem which is above.” She is also mentioned as Sara in Heb. 11:11 among the Old Testament worthies, who “all died in faith.” (See…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(princess). The wife and half-sister, (Genesis 20:12) of Abraham, and mother of Isaac. Her name is first introduced in (Genesis 11:29) as Sarai. The change of her name from Sarai, my princess (i.e. Abraham’s), to Sarah, princess (for all the race), was made at the same time that Abram’s name was changed to Abraham, --on the establishment of the covenant of circumcision between him and God. Sarah’s history is of course that of Abraham. [ABRAHAM] She died at Hebron at the age of 127 years, 28 years before her husband and was buried by him in the cave of (B.C. 1860.) She is referred to in the New Testament as a type of conjugal obedience in (1 Peter 3:6) and as one of the types of faith in (

Or SARA, the wife of Abraham, the daughter of his father by another mother, Ge 20:12. Most Jewish writers, however, and many interpreters, identify her with Iscah, the sister of Lot, and Abraham’s niece, Gen 11.29; the word "daughter" according to Hebrew usage, comprising any female descendant, and "sister," any female relation by blood. When God made a covenant with Abraham, he changed the name of Sarai or my princess, into that of Sarah, or princess; and promised Abraham a son by her, which was fulfilled in due time.

The most prominent points of her history as recorded in the Bible are, her consenting to Abraham’s unbelieving dissimulation while near Pharaoh and Abimelech; her long-continued barrenness; her giving to Abraham her maid Hagar as a secondary wife; their mutual jealousy; and her bearing Isaac in her old age, "the…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

lady; princess; princess of the multitude

and she laughed Sarah in inner being her saying after am worn out I has it be[longed]? to me pleasure and lord my he is old
בְּקִרְבָּ֣הּbe.kir.Bah in inner being her H7130 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
227× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means the inner part or midst of something, whether physical or emotional, and can refer to the entrails of an animal or the seat of thought and emotion. In 1 Kings 17:21, it describes Elijah's emotional plea to God.
Tyndale gloss
entrails: among
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קֶ֫רֶב (qereb) refers to the inward part or midst of something, encompassing both physical and figurative meanings. It can denote the center of a person or object, as well as the seat of thought and emotion. The term also relates to the entrails of sacrificial animals. It is used in various contexts, including references to being among or within a group.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קֶ֫רֶב 227 n.[m.] inward part, midst

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7130 קֶ֫רֶב inward part, midst

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7130 qereb keh'-reb

from 7126; properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center,

whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with

preposition):--X among, X before, bowels, X unto charge, +

eat (up), X heart, X him, X in, inward (X -ly, part, -s,

thought), midst, + out of, purtenance, X therein, X through, X

within self.

see HEBREW for 07126

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קֶ֫רֶב (qe.rev) — entrails: among.

: among/within

1) midst, among, inner part, middle

1a) inward part

1a1) physical sense

1a2) as seat of thought and emotion

1a3) as faculty of thought and emotion

1b) in the midst, among, from among (of a number of persons)

1c) entrails (of sacrificial animals)

Also means: qe.rev (קֶ֫רֶב ": inner_parts" H7130H)

קֶ֫רֶב (qe.rev) — entrails: inner parts.

: inner_parts

1) midst, among, inner part, middle

1a) inward part

1a1) physical sense

1a2) as seat of thought and emotion

1a3) as faculty of thought and emotion

1b) in the midst, among, from among (of a number of persons)

1c) entrails (of sacrificial animals)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncmsc/Sp3fs
and she laughed Sarah in inner being her saying after am worn out I has it be[longed]? to me pleasure and lord my he is old
לֵאמֹ֑רle.Mor saying H559 Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
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'.
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,

certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),

commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X

expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,

publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X

suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
HR/Vqcc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and she laughed Sarah in inner being her saying after am worn out I has it be[longed]? to me pleasure and lord my he is old
אַחֲרֵ֤י'a.cha.Rei after H310 Prep
716× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Amplified meaning
following, in the rear
Tyndale gloss
after
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אַחַר (*achar*) primarily denotes the concept of 'after' or 'behind' in both spatial and temporal contexts. It functions as a substantive, adverb, preposition, and conjunction, indicating a following part or time. The related form אַחֲרַי (*acharai*) refers to a person who turns backwards. There is a reference to Proverbs 28:23 in relation to the latter.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part

adv.

of place, behind

of time, afterwards

prep.

of place, behind, after

of time, after

conj. after that.

base

אַחֲרַי adj. Pr 28:23 a man that turneth backwards.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H310a אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part . adv. . of place, behind

. of time, afterwards

. prep. . of place, behind, after

. of time, after

. conj. after that.

H310b אַחֲרַי a man that turneth backwards.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

310 'achar akh-ar'

from 309; properly, the hind part; generally used as an

adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses):--after

(that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side),

behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from,

hereafter, hinder end, + out (over) live, + persecute,

posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth),

when, with.

see HEBREW for 0309

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַחַר (a.char) — after.

1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time)

1a) as an adverb

1a1) behind (of place)

1a2) afterwards (of time)

1b) as a preposition

1b1) behind, after (of place)

1b2) after (of time)

1b3) besides

1c) as a conjunction

1c) after that

1d) as a substantive

1d1) hinder part

1e) with other prepositions

1e1) from behind

1e2) from following after

אַחֲרַי (a.cha.ray) — backwards.

backwards (of a man that turns backwards)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Prep
HAcmpc
and she laughed Sarah in inner being her saying after am worn out I has it be[longed]? to me pleasure and lord my he is old
בְלֹתִי֙ve.lo.Ti am worn out I H1086 Verb qal infinitive construct common · suffix
15× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To wear out or become old, like something that's been used up or decayed over time, as seen in the book of Isaiah. This concept is also related to consuming or spending something completely. It implies a sense of depletion or exhaustion.
Amplified meaning
become old, used up
Tyndale gloss
to become old
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּלָה (balah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to become old or worn out. It encompasses the ideas of wearing out through use, enjoying something to the fullest, and implies decay or consumption. The entries indicate that it can be used in both a simple form (Qal) and a causative form (Piel), with a related Aramaic term noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[בָּלָה] vb. become old and worn out

Qal wear out

Pi. caus. of Qal.

wear out (trans.)

wear out by use, use to the full, enjoy

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1086 [בָּלָה] become old and worn out .wear out

. caus. of Qal. . wear out (trans.)

. wear out by use, use to the full, enjoy

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1086 balah baw-law'

a primitive root; to fail; by implication to wear out, decay

(causatively, consume, spend):--consume, enjoy long, become

(make, wax) old, spend, waste.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּלָה (ba.lah) — to become old.

1) to wear out, become old

1a) (Qal) to wear out

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to wear out

1b2) to wear out by use, use up completely

1b3) to enjoy, use to the full

Aramaic equivalent: be.la (בְּלָא "to wear out" H1080)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff — Verb qal infinitive construct common · suffix
HVqcc/Sp1bs
and she laughed Sarah in inner being her saying after am worn out I has it be[longed]? to me pleasure and lord my he is old
הָֽיְתָה־ha.ye.tah- has it be[longed]? H1961 Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Amplified meaning
experience, enjoy
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass

וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

Come into being, become

abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

sq. prep.

become

sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen

. occur, take place, come about, come to pass

. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

. sq. prep.

. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,

come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or

auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,

committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,

fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)

1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
HVqp3fs
and she laughed Sarah in inner being her saying after am worn out I has it be[longed]? to me pleasure and lord my he is old
לִּ֣יli to me H9030 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נִי (ni) — me.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp1bs
and she laughed Sarah in inner being her saying after am worn out I has it be[longed]? to me pleasure and lord my he is old
עֶדְנָ֔ה'ed.Nah pleasure H5730 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for delight or pleasure, used to describe something that brings joy. It is related to the name Eden, meaning a place of pleasure. In the Bible, it is used to describe beautiful and pleasant things.
Amplified meaning
delight, a state of joy or happiness
Tyndale gloss
delicacy
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֵ֫דֶן (eden) refers to luxury, daintiness, and delight, while עֶדְנָה (ednah) specifically denotes delight, including a sexual connotation. The word is derived from a root meaning pleasure and encompasses notions of delicacy and finery. It appears in contexts such as Genesis 18:12.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עֵ֫דֶן] n.[m.] luxury, dainty, delight

base

עֶדְנָה n.f. delight;—Gn 18:12 (sexual).

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5730a עֵ֫דֶן luxury, dainty, delight H5730b עֶדְנָה delight (sexual)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5730 `eden ay'-den

or (feminine) aednah {ed-naw'}; from 5727;

pleasure:--delicate, delight, pleasure. See also 1040.

see HEBREW for 05727

see HEBREW for 01040

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֵ֫דֶן (e.den) — delicacy.

luxury, dainty, delight, finery

עֶדְנָה (ed.nah) — delight.

delight

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

plezh'-ur (chephets, ratson; eudokia, hedone: "Pleasure" is the translation of various Hebrew words, chiefly of chephets, "inclination," hence, "pleasure," "delight" (Job 21:21, "What pleasure hath he in his house?" the American Standard Revised Version "what careth he for"; Job 22:3, "Is it any pleasure to the Almighty?"; Ps 111:2; Ec 5:4; 12:1; in Isa 44:28; 46:10; 48:14; 53:10, it has the sense of will or purpose, "He shall perform all my pleasure," etc.); of ratson, "delight," "acceptance," "good will" (Ezr 10:11;

and she laughed Sarah in inner being her saying after am worn out I has it be[longed]? to me pleasure and lord my he is old
וַֽאדֹנִ֖יva.do.Ni and lord my H113 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
333× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word ʼâdôwn refers to a lord or master, and can be used to describe human leaders or God. It emphasizes the person's power and control over others or things, and is often translated as lord or master.
Amplified meaning
lord, husband
Tyndale gloss
lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אָדוֹן (*'adown*) means 'lord' and is derived from a root meaning to rule. It covers a range of meanings, referring to both human and divine authority, including terms like master, king, and superintendent. Variations exist for divine references, such as אֲדֹנָי (*Adonai*), distinguishing God from human lords.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָדוֹן n.m. lord (אֲדֹנִי, אֲדֹנַי, אֲדֹנָי are variations of Mass. pointing to distinguish divine reference fr. human. Pl., with few exc. an intens. pl. of rank; word takes sf. as pl. in all other pers.; so doubtless here. Orig. reading prob. in all cases אֲדֹנַי; אֲדֹנִי now found in J 51 t.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H113 אָדוֹן lord

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

113 'adown aw-done'

or (shortened) adon {aw-done'}; from an unused root (meaning

to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine):--

lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with

"Adoni-".

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָדוֹן (a.don) — lord.

1) firm, strong, lord, master

1a) lord, master

1a1) reference to men

1a1a) superintendent of household, of affairs

1a1b) master

1a1c) king

1a2) reference to God

1a2a) the Lord God

1a2b) Lord of the whole earth

1b) lords, kings

1b1) reference to men

1b1a) proprietor of hill of Samaria

1b1b) master

1b1c) husband

1b1d) prophet

1b1e) governor

1b1f) prince

1b1g) king

1b2) reference to God

1b2a) Lord of lords (probably = "thy husband, Yahweh")

1c) my lord, my master

1c1) reference to men

1c1a) master

1c1b) husband

1c1c) prophet

1c1d) prince

1c1e) king

1c1f) father

1c1g) Moses

1c1h) priest

1c1i) theophanic angel

1c1j) captain

1c1k) general recognition of superiority

1c2) reference to God

1c2a) my Lord, my Lord and my God

1c2b) Adonai (parallel with Yahweh)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HC/Ncmsc/Sp1bs
and she laughed Sarah in inner being her saying after am worn out I has it be[longed]? to me pleasure and lord my he is old
זָקֵֽן׃za.Ken he is old H2204 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
27× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be old or become old is what this Hebrew verb means, as seen in Genesis 18:11, where Abraham and Sarah are described as aged. It can also imply showing signs of age or becoming elderly. The concept of aging is significant in biblical narratives.
Amplified meaning
aged
Tyndale gloss
be old
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זָקֵן (zaqen) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be or become old. It has a basic meaning of aging, with forms indicating both the process of growing old and the state of being old. The entries highlight its use in different grammatical aspects, such as Qal and Hiphil, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זָקֵן vb. be or become old

Qal be (or become) old

Hiph. shew age, grow old

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2204 זָקֵן be or become old

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2204 zaqen zaw-kane'

a primitive root; to be old:--aged man, be (wax) old (man).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זָקֵן (za.qen) — be old.

1) to be old, become old

1a) (Qal) to be old, become old

1b) (Hiphil) to grow old, show age

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVqp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

old.

See AGE, OLD.

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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