Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
21:6-7 Sarah was filled with joy and praise for this amazing event—only God could enable her to have a child. 21:6 Sarah’s wordplay on the name Isaac (Hebrew yitskhaq, “he laughs”) shows that the laughter of unbelief when the promise was given (18:12) had changed to the laughter of joy at its fulfillment. Isaac’s name could refer to the pleasure of God and of his parents at his birth. Sarah knew that everyone who heard about this would laugh with her and rejoice at the news.
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
21:6-7 Sarah was filled with joy and praise for this amazing event—only God could enable her to have a child. 21:6 Sarah’s wordplay on the name Isaac (Hebrew yitskhaq, “he laughs”) shows that the laughter of unbelief when the promise was given (18:12) had changed to the laughter of joy at its fulfillment. Isaac’s name could refer to the pleasure of God and of his parents at his birth. Sarah knew that everyone who heard about this would laugh with her and rejoice at the news.
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
And she said, Who would have said to Abraham, Sarah will suckle children? For I have borne [him] a son in his old age.
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should give children suck? for I have borne him a son in his old age.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
She said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
And she said, Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would have a child at her breast? for see, I have given him a son now when he is old.