Devine Scripture

Genesis 18:10

What does Genesis 18:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 18:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 18:10 means

The Lord, one of the visitors, unequivocally declared that He would return "when the season cometh round," and at that time, Sarah would certainly have a son. This was a direct, specific, and imminent promise of Isaac's birth. Sarah, positioned discreetly at the tent door, overheard this astonishing declaration, creating the immediate context for her coming reaction. This statement reiterates God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to Abraham.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said, I will certainly return unto thee when the season cometh round; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said, I will certainly return unto thee when the season cometh round; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, I will certainly come back to you in the spring, and Sarah your wife will have a son. And his words came to the ears of Sarah who was at the back of the tent-door.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he saith, `returning I return unto thee, about the time of life, and lo, to Sarah thy wife a son.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said to him: I will return and come to thee at this time, life accompanying, and Sara, thy wife, shall have a son. Which when Sara heard, she laughed behind the door of the tent.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said, I will certainly return to thee at [this] time of the year, and behold, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah was listening at the tent-door, which was behind him.

Context

This verse contains the pivotal divine announcement directly concerning Sarah's pregnancy, immediately following the visitor's question about her in verse 9. This declaration is a significant re-affirmation of the covenant promise. Sarah's overhearing of this promise is crucial, as it immediately precipitates her private reaction and doubt, setting up the subsequent interaction and divine rebuke.

v.9And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.

v.10This passage

v.11Now Abraham and Sarah were old, and well stricken in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 17:19

    And God said, Nay, but Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him.

  • Galatians 4:28

    Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.

  • Genesis 21:2

    And Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

  • Genesis 22:15

    And the angel of Jehovah called unto Abraham a second time out of heaven,

  • Genesis 16:10

    And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, I will greatly multiply thy seed, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

  • Galatians 4:23

    Howbeit the son by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the son by the freewoman is born through promise.

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