Genesis 18:15
New International Version
Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

New Living Translation
Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, “I didn’t laugh.” But the LORD said, “No, you did laugh.”

English Standard Version
But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

Berean Standard Bible
But Sarah was afraid, so she denied it and said, “I did not laugh.” “No,” replied the LORD, “but you did laugh.”

King James Bible
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.

New King James Version
But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!”

New American Standard Bible
Sarah denied it, however, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

NASB 1995
Sarah denied it however, saying, “I did not laugh"; for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

NASB 1977
Sarah denied it however, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Sarah denied it however, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

Amplified Bible
Then Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh”; because she was afraid. And He (the LORD) said, “No, but you did laugh.”

Christian Standard Bible
Sarah denied it. “I did not laugh,” she said, because she was afraid. But he replied, “No, you did laugh.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Sarah denied it. “I did not laugh,” she said, because she was afraid. But He replied, “No, you did laugh.”

American Standard Version
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.

Contemporary English Version
Sarah was so frightened that she lied and said, "I didn't laugh." "Yes, you did!" he answered.

English Revised Version
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Because she was afraid, Sarah denied that she had laughed. But the LORD said, "Yes, you did laugh."

Good News Translation
Because Sarah was afraid, she denied it. "I didn't laugh," she said. "Yes, you did," he replied. "You laughed."

International Standard Version
But Sarah denied it. "I didn't laugh," she claimed, because she was afraid. The LORD replied, "No! You did laugh!"

Majority Standard Bible
But Sarah was afraid, so she denied it and said, “I did not laugh.” “No,” replied the LORD, “but you did laugh.”

NET Bible
Then Sarah lied, saying, "I did not laugh," because she was afraid. But the LORD said, "No! You did laugh."

New Heart English Bible
But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. He said, "No, but you did laugh."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.

World English Bible
Then Sarah denied it, saying, “I didn’t laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Sarah denies, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she has been afraid; and He says, “No, but you did laugh.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Sarah denieth, saying, 'I did not laugh;' for she hath been afraid; and He saith, 'Nay, but thou didst laugh.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Sarah will deny, saying, I did not laugh; for she was afraid. And he will say, Nay, for thou didst laugh.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Sara denied, saying: I did not laugh: for she was afraid. But the Lord said, Nay: but thou didst laugh:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh.” For she was terribly afraid. But the Lord said, “It is not so; for you did laugh.”

New American Bible
Sarah lied, saying, “I did not laugh,” because she was afraid. But he said, “Yes, you did.”

New Revised Standard Version
But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “Oh yes, you did laugh.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Sarah denied, saying, I did not laugh; because she was afraid. And he said, No; but you did laugh.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Sara denied, and she said, “I did not laugh”, because she was afraid; and he said, “No, but you did laugh.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then Sarah denied, saying: 'I laughed not'; for she was afraid. And He said: 'Nay; but thou didst laugh.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But Sarrha denied, saying, I did not laugh, for she was afraid. And he said to her, Nay, but thou didst laugh.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Sarah Laughs at the Promise
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.” 15But Sarah was afraid, so she denied it and said, “I did not laugh.” “No,” replied the LORD, “but you did laugh.”

Cross References
Hebrews 11:11
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.

Luke 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.” / “I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. / And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”

Romans 4:19-21
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, / being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.

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

Luke 1:37
For no word from God will ever fail.”

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

1 Peter 3:6
just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear.

John 8:56
Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad.”

Galatians 4:22-23
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.

James 5:11
See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

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 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.”

Genesis 12:11-13
As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look, I know that you are a beautiful woman, / and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. / Please say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake, and on account of you my life will be spared.”

Genesis 20:2
Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.

Genesis 16:2
So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.


Treasury of Scripture

Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, No; but you did laugh.

denied.

Genesis 4:9
And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?

Genesis 12:13
Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

Job 2:10
But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

Nay.

Psalm 44:21
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Proverbs 12:19
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Mark 2:8
And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

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Afraid Denied Denieth Fear Full However Laugh Laughing Sarah
Genesis 18
1. The Lord appears to Abraham, who entertains angels.
9. Sarah is reproved for laughing at the promise of a son.
16. The destruction of Sodom is revealed to Abraham.
23. Abraham makes intercession for its inhabitants.














But Sarah was afraid
The phrase "But Sarah was afraid" reveals the human emotion of fear in response to divine revelation. The Hebrew root for "afraid" is יָרֵא (yare), which often denotes a reverential fear or awe, but here it also includes the fear of being exposed or reprimanded. In the context of Genesis 18, Sarah's fear is a natural human reaction to the realization that her private thoughts and actions are known to God. This fear underscores the omniscience of God and the human tendency to hide or deny when confronted with divine truth.

so she denied it
The act of denial, "so she denied it," is a common human defense mechanism when faced with uncomfortable truths. The Hebrew word for "denied" is כָּחַשׁ (kachash), which means to lie or to deceive. This reflects the struggle between human frailty and the divine expectation of honesty. Sarah's denial is not just a simple lie; it is a reflection of her inner turmoil and disbelief in the promise of God, which seemed impossible from a human perspective.

saying, 'I did not laugh.'
Sarah's statement, "I did not laugh," is a direct contradiction to her earlier reaction in Genesis 18:12, where she laughed to herself at the promise of bearing a child in her old age. The Hebrew word for "laugh" is צָחַק (tsachaq), which can mean to laugh in joy or disbelief. Here, it is a laugh of skepticism. This phrase highlights the tension between human doubt and divine promise, illustrating the challenge of faith when faced with seemingly insurmountable circumstances.

'No,' replied the LORD
The LORD's response, "'No,' replied the LORD," is a gentle yet firm correction. The Hebrew word for "No" is לֹא (lo), a simple negation that carries the weight of divine authority. God's reply is not just a correction of Sarah's words but an invitation to trust in His power and promises. It serves as a reminder that God sees beyond our words to the intentions and thoughts of the heart.

'but you did laugh.'
The concluding phrase, "but you did laugh," reaffirms the truth of Sarah's initial reaction. The repetition of the word "laugh" (צָחַק, tsachaq) emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our doubts and fears before God. This acknowledgment is the first step towards faith and trust in God's promises. The LORD's statement is not one of condemnation but of understanding and encouragement, inviting Sarah to move from disbelief to faith. This interaction between Sarah and the LORD is a powerful reminder of God's patience and His desire for us to trust in His plans, even when they seem impossible.

(15) Sarah denied.--With strange inconsistency Sarah knows that the speaker is Divine, and that He perceived the thoughts that passed "within herself" in the retirement of the tent, and yet denies; but it was the inconsistency of fright. Struck with terror at the thought that she had ridiculed the promise of Jehovah, she offers no excuse, but takes refuge, as frightened people are apt to do, in falsehood. Gently reproved, the result was the building-up of her faith, just as Mary's doubt was removed and her faith perfected by the angel's words (Luke 1:34-37).

Verse 15. - Then Sarah (who had overheard the conversation, and the charge preferred against her, and who probably now appeared before the stranger) denied, saying, I laughed not. Sarah s conduct will admit of no other explanation than that which the sacred narrative itself gives. For she was afraid. The knowledge that her secret thoughts had been deciphered must have kindled in her breast the suspicion that her visitor was none other than Jehovah. With this a sense of guilt would immediately assail her conscience for having cherished even a moment any doubt of the Divine word. In the consequent confusion of soul she tries what ever seems to be the first impulse of detected transgressions, viz., deception (cf. Genesis 3:12, 13). And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh. With a directness similar to that which he employed in dealing with the first culprits in the garden, not contending in a multiplicity of words, but solemnly announcing that what she said was false. The silence of Sarah was an evidence of her conviction; her subsequent conception was a proof of her repentance and forgiveness.

CHAPTER 18:16-22

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But Sarah
שָׂרָ֧ה ׀ (śā·rāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8283: Sarah -- 'princess', a wife of Abraham

denied it,
וַתְּכַחֵ֨שׁ (wat·tə·ḵa·ḥêš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3584: To disappoint, deceive, fail, grow lean

saying,
לֵאמֹ֛ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I did not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

laugh.”
צָחַ֖קְתִּי (ṣā·ḥaq·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6711: To laugh outright, to sport

For
כִּ֣י ׀ (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

she was afraid.
יָרֵ֑אָה (yā·rê·’āh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

“No,”
לֹ֖א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

replied [the LORD],
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ׀ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“but you did
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

laugh.”
צָחָֽקְתְּ׃ (ṣā·ḥā·qət)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 6711: To laugh outright, to sport


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OT Law: Genesis 18:15 Then Sarah denied saying I didn't laugh (Gen. Ge Gn)
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