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?"

◄ Genesis 17:17 ►

New International Version
Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?”

New Living Translation
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?”

English Standard Version
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?”

Berean Standard Bible
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?”

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

New American Standard Bible
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 to a child?”

NASB 1995
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 a child?”

NASB 1977
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 a child?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said in his heart, “Will a son be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a son?”

Amplified Bible
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 a child?”

Christian Standard Bible
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? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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?”

American Standard Version
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?

Contemporary English Version
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.

English Revised Version
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?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
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?"

Good News Translation
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?"

International Standard Version
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?"

Majority Standard Bible
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?”

NET Bible
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?"

New Heart English Bible
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?"

Webster's Bible Translation
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?

World English Bible
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?”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
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?”

Young's Literal Translation
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?'

Smith's Literal Translation
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?

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
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?

Catholic Public Domain Version
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?”

New American Bible
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?”

New Revised Standard Version
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?”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
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?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmayl may live before you!”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
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?

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Covenant of Circumcision
…16And 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.” 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?” 18And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Romans 4:19-20
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,

Hebrews 11:11-12
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.

Luke 1:18
“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

Genesis 18:12-14
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.”

Genesis 21:6-7
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.”

Romans 9:9
For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

Luke 1:34-37
“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. ...

Genesis 15:4-6
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.

Genesis 21:1-2
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.

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Numbers 11:21-23
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.”

Job 42:2
“I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.

Jeremiah 32:17
“Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!

Isaiah 51:2
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.

1 Samuel 2:1-10
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. ...

Treasury of Scripture

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?

fell.

Genesis 17:3
And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

Leviticus 9:24
And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

Numbers 14:5
Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.

laughed.

Genesis 18:12
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

Genesis 21:6
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.

John 8:56
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

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Abraham Age Bear Birth Born Child Daughter Face Facedown Fell Heart Hundred Laughed Ninety Sarah

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Genesis 17

1. God renews the covenant with Abram,
5. and changes his name to Abraham, in token of a greater blessing.
9. Circumcision is instituted.
15. Sarai's name is changed to Sarah, and she is blessed.
17. Isaac is promised, and the time of his birth fixed.
23. Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised.

Berean Study Bible

Then Abraham fell facedown
This phrase marks a moment of profound reverence and humility before God. The act of falling facedown is a physical expression of worship and submission, indicating Abraham's recognition of God's supreme authority. In Hebrew, the word for "fell" is "נָפַל" (naphal), which conveys a sudden and intentional act. This gesture is consistent with ancient Near Eastern practices where individuals would prostrate themselves before a deity or king to show respect and acknowledge their sovereignty. Abraham's response here sets a precedent for worship that is both physical and spiritual, demonstrating a heart fully surrendered to God's will.

He laughed
The Hebrew word for "laughed" is "צָחַק" (tsachaq), which can denote laughter of joy, disbelief, or even scorn. In this context, Abraham's laughter is often interpreted as a mix of astonishment and incredulity. At ninety-nine years old, the promise of a son seemed humanly impossible, yet it also reflects a moment of human vulnerability and the struggle to fully grasp God's miraculous plans. This laughter is not one of mockery but rather a natural human reaction to the overwhelming nature of God's promise.

and said to himself
This introspective moment highlights the internal dialogue within Abraham. The phrase "to himself" suggests a private contemplation, a silent pondering of God's words. It reflects the intimate nature of faith, where believers wrestle with doubts and questions internally. This moment of self-reflection is crucial in the journey of faith, as it allows for personal engagement with God's promises and a deeper understanding of His character.

Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old?
This rhetorical question underscores the apparent absurdity of the situation from a human perspective. The emphasis on Abraham's age highlights the miraculous nature of God's promise. In the ancient world, longevity was respected, but the idea of fathering a child at such an advanced age was beyond natural expectations. This question serves to magnify God's power to transcend natural laws and fulfill His promises in ways that defy human logic.

Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?
Similarly, this question emphasizes Sarah's advanced age and the improbability of childbirth. In Hebrew culture, barrenness was often seen as a source of shame, and Sarah's lifelong struggle with infertility adds depth to this moment. The mention of her age not only highlights the miraculous nature of the promise but also God's ability to redeem and restore what seems lost. It is a testament to God's faithfulness and His power to bring life and hope where there was none.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(17) Abraham . . . laughed.--The Jewish interpreters regard Abraham's laugh as one of joy, and Sarah's (Genesis 18:12) 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 (John 8:56). 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 (Hebrews 11:19) 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.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 17. - Then Abraham fell upon his face (vide Ver. 3), and laughed. וַיּצְחָק from צָחַק, to laugh. Cf. καχάζω καγχάζω, cachin-nor, German, kichern; καὶ ἀγέλασε (LXX.); rejoiced (Onkelos); marveled (Jerome, Targums); laughed for joy (Arabic version, Augustine, Calvin, Delitzsch, Keil, Murphy, et alii); 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 Genesis 15. And said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is (literally, to the son of) an hundred years old? 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. Luke 24:41). And shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? Yes. What reason declared impossible was possible to faith. "He considered not the deadness of Sarah s womb" (Romans 4:19).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Abraham
אַבְרָהָ֛ם (’aḇ·rā·hām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

fell facedown.
וַיִּפֹּ֧ל (way·yip·pōl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

Then he laughed
וַיִּצְחָ֑ק (way·yiṣ·ḥāq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6711: To laugh outright, to sport

and said
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to himself,
בְּלִבּ֗וֹ (bə·lib·bōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

“Can a child be born
יִוָּלֵ֔ד (yiw·wā·lêḏ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

to a man who is
הַלְּבֶ֤ן (hal·lə·ḇen)
Article, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

a hundred
מֵאָֽה־ (mê·’āh-)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 3967: A hundred

years old?
שָׁנָה֙ (šā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141: A year

Can Sarah
שָׂרָ֔ה (śā·rāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8283: Sarah -- 'princess', a wife of Abraham

give birth
תֵּלֵֽד׃ (tê·lêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

at the age of ninety?”
תִּשְׁעִ֥ים (tiš·‘îm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 8673: Ninety

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OT Law: Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell on his face (Gen. Ge Gn)