the Week of Proper 23 / Ordinary 28
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Genesis 18:14
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Is anything too hard for the Lord ? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."
Is anything too hard for Yahweh? At the set time I will return to you, when the season comes around, and Sarah shall have a son.
Is anything too hard for the Lord ? No! I will return to you at the right time a year from now, and Sarah will have a son."
Is anything impossible for the Lord ? I will return to you when the season comes round again and Sarah will have a son."
Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return to thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
Is anything too hard for Yahweh? At the set time I will return to you, when the season comes round, and Sarah will have a son."
whether ony thing is hard to God? Bi the biheeste Y schal turne ayen to thee in this same tyme, if Y lyue; and Sara schal haue a sone.
And Jehovah saith unto Abraham, `Why [is] this? Sarah hath laughed, saying, Is it true really -- I bear -- and I am aged? Is any thing too wonderful for Jehovah? at the appointed time I return unto thee, about the time of life, and Sarah hath a son.'
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."
I am the Lord ! There is nothing too difficult for me. I'll come back next year at the time I promised, and Sarah will already have a son."
Is anything too hard for Adonai ? At the time set for it, at this season next year, I will return to you; and Sarah will have a son."
Is anything too hard for Jehovah? At the set time I will return unto thee, when the season cometh round, and Sarah shall have a son.
Is there any wonder which the Lord is not able to do? At the time I said, in the spring, I will come back to you, and Sarah will have a child.
Is any thing vnpossible to God? Accordyng to the tyme appoynted wyll I returne vnto thee [euen] according to the time of life: & Sara [shall] haue a sonne.
Is [any] matter too wonderful for Jehovah? At the time appointed I will return to thee, at [this] time of the year, and Sarah shall have a son.
But is anything too hard for the Lord ? I will come again in the spring, just as I said I would, and your wife Sarah will have a son."
Is any thing too hard for the LORD. At the set time I will return unto thee, when the season cometh round, and Sarah shall have a son.'
Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed will I returne vnto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall haue a sonne.
Is any thing too hard for the Lord ? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."
Is anything too wonderful for the Lord ? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son."
Is anything, too wonderful for Yahweh? At the appointed time, I will return unto thee, at the quickening season and Sarah, shall have a son.
(Shall any thing be hard to the Lord? at the time appointed will I returne vnto thee, euen according to the time of life, and Sarah shall haue a sonne.)
Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at this season, and Sarah your wife shall be with child, and shall have a son.
Is anything too hard for the Lord ? As I said, nine months from now I will return, and Sarah will have a son."
Is there any thing hard to God? According to appointment I will return to thee at this same time, life accompanying, and Sara shall have a son.
Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, in the spring, and Sarah shall have a son."
Shall anything be impossible with the Lord? At this time I will return to thee seasonably, and Sarrha shall have a son.
Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the set time I will return unto thee, when the season cometh round, and Sarah shall have a son.
Is anything impossible for the Lord? At the appointed time I will come back to you, and in about a year she will have a son.”
Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, when the season comes round, and Sarah will have a son."
Is anything too difficult for Yahweh? At the appointed time I will return to you in the spring and Sarah shall have a son."
Is anything too difficult for Jehovah? At the appointed time I will return to you, at the time of life, and there will be a son to Sarah.
Shulde eny soch thinge be to harde for the LORDE? Aboute this tyme (yf I lyue) I wil come to the agayne, & Sara shal haue a sonne.
"Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."
Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son."
Is anything too hard for the Lord ? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."
"Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."
Is anything too difficult for Yahweh? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Is: Numbers 11:23, Deuteronomy 7:21, 1 Samuel 14:6, 2 Kings 7:1, 2 Kings 7:2, Job 36:5, Job 42:2, Psalms 93:1, Psalms 95:3, Jeremiah 32:17, Micah 7:18, Zechariah 8:6, Matthew 3:9, Matthew 14:31, Matthew 19:26, Mark 10:27, Luke 1:13, Luke 1:37, Luke 8:50, Ephesians 3:20, Philippians 3:21, Philippians 4:13, Hebrews 11:19
I will: Genesis 18:10, Genesis 17:21, Deuteronomy 30:3, 2 Kings 4:16, Psalms 90:13, Micah 7:18, Luke 1:13, Luke 1:18
Reciprocal: Genesis 17:1 - Almighty Genesis 21:1 - Sarah as Genesis 21:2 - at the set Genesis 22:8 - General Genesis 35:11 - God Almighty Exodus 4:11 - General Numbers 20:8 - speak 2 Kings 7:18 - as the man Isaiah 50:2 - Is my Isaiah 59:1 - the Lord's Isaiah 66:9 - bring to Daniel 3:17 - our God Daniel 6:20 - able Zephaniah 3:17 - is mighty Matthew 22:29 - nor Mark 1:40 - if thou Mark 12:24 - neither Mark 14:36 - all Luke 5:12 - if Luke 18:27 - General Acts 26:8 - General Romans 4:21 - he was able Romans 9:9 - At this time
Cross-References
"But My covenant [My promise, My solemn pledge], I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year."
Now the LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth trees of Mamre [in Hebron], while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day.
When he raised his eyes and looked up, behold, three men were standing [a little distance] from him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed down [with his face] to the ground,
He said, "I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him.
The LORD said to Moses, "Is the LORD'S hand (ability, power) limited (short, inadequate)? You shall see now whether My word will come to pass for you or not."
"You shall not dread them, for the LORD your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God.
then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes [in your return from exile], and have compassion on you, and will gather you together again from all the peoples (nations) where He has scattered you.
Jonathan said to his young armor bearer, "Come, let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For there is nothing to prevent the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few."
Elisha said, "At this season next year, you will embrace a son." She said, "No, my lord. O man of God, do not lie to your maidservant."
"Behold, God is mighty, and yet does not despise anyone [nor regard any as trivial]; He is mighty in the strength and power of understanding.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Is anything too hard for the Lord?.... Whose power is infinite; or "too wonderful" x, so wonderful and beyond all belief, that it can never be thought it will be done by him; and why then should it be thought incredible or impossible that Sarah should have a child, though she is old? Or, is "anything hidden from the Lord" y? Nothing can be, not Sarah's laughter.
At the time appointed will I return to thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son; which words are repeated not merely for the confirmation of Abraham's faith, which staggered not, but to remove Sarah's unbelief, and to encourage her faith in the divine promise.
x ××פ×× "nunquid mirabile vel mirificabitur", Munster, Piscator, Schmidt. y "Nunquid abscondetur", Pagninus, Cartwright; "an potest occultari", Junius Tremellius, Fagius so the Targum of Jonathan and Aben Ezra.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
- The Visit of the Lord to Abraham
2. ×ש×ת××× vayıÌsÌtachuÌ âbow,â or bend the body in token of respect to God or man. The attitude varies from a slight inclination of the body to entire prostration with the forehead touching the ground.
6. ס×× se'ah a âseah,â about an English peck, the third part of an ephah. The ephah contained ten omers. The omer held about five pints.
This chapter describes Abrahamâs fellowship with God. On the gracious assurance of the Redeemer and Vindicator, âFear not, I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward,â he ceased to fear, and believed. On the solemn announcement of the Conqueror of evil and the Quickener of the dead, âI am God Almighty; walk before me and be perfect,â he began anew to walk with God in holiness and truth. The next step is, that God enters into communion with him as a man with his friend Isaiah 41:8; John 14:23. Hitherto he has appeared to him as God offering grace and inclining the will to receive it. Now, as God who has bestowed grace, he appears to him who has accepted it and is admitted into a covenant of peace. He visits him for the twofold purpose of drawing out and completing the faith of Sarah, and of communing with Abraham concerning the destruction of Sodom.
Genesis 18:1-15
The Lord visits Abraham and assures Sarah of the birth of a son. Abraham is sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day, reposing. âThree men stood before him.â Whenever visitants from the celestial world appear to men, they have the form of man. This is the only form of a rational being known to us. It is not the design of God in revealing his mercy to us to make us acquainted with the whole of the nature of things. The science of things visible or invisible he leaves to our natural faculties to explore, as far as occasion allows. Hence, we conclude that the celestial visitant is a real being, and that the form is a real form. But we are not entitled to infer that the human is the only or the proper form of such beings, or that they have any ordinary or constant form open to sense. We only discern that they are intelligent beings like ourselves, and, in order to manifest themselves to us as such, put on that form of intelligent creatures with which we are familiar, and in which they can intelligibly confer with us. For the same reason they speak the language of the party addressed, though, for ought we know, spiritual beings use none of the many languages of humanity, and have quite a different mode of communicating with one another. Other human acts follow on the occasion. They accept the hospitality of Abraham and partake of human food. This, also, was a real act. It does not imply, however, that food is necessary to spiritual beings. The whole is a typical act representing communion between God and Abraham. The giving and receiving of a meal was the ground of a perpetual or inviolable friendship.
He ran to meet him. - This indicates the genuine warmth of unsophisticated nature. âBowed himself to the earth.â This indicates a low bow, in which the body becomes horizontal, and the head droops. This gesture is employed both in worship and doing obeisance.
Genesis 18:3-5
O Lord. - Abraham uses the word ××× × 'adonaÌy denoting one having authority, whether divine or not. This the Masorites mark as sacred, and apply the vowel points proper to the word when it signifies God. These men in some way represent God; for âthe Lordâ on this occasion appeared unto Abraham Genesis 18:1. The number is in this respect notable. Abraham addresses himself first to one person Genesis 18:3, then to more than one Genesis 18:4-5. It is stated that ââtheyâ said, So do Genesis 18:5, âtheyâ did eat Genesis 18:8, â theyâ said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wifeâ Genesis 18:9. Then the singular number is resumed in the phrase ââand he saidââ Genesis 18:10, and at length, âThe Lord said unto Abrahamâ Genesis 18:13, and then, âand he saidâ Genesis 18:15. Then we are told ââthe menâ rose up, and Abraham went with themâ Genesis 18:16. Then we have âThe Lord saidâ twice Genesis 18:17, Genesis 18:20. And lastly, it is said Genesis 18:22 ââthe menâ turned their faces and went toward Sodom, and Abraham was yet standing before the Lord.â From this it appears that of the three men one, at all events, was the Lord, who, when the other two went toward Sodom, remained with Abraham while he made his intercession for Sodom, and afterward he also went his way. The other two will come before us again in the next chapter. Meanwhile, we have here the first explicit instance of the Lord appearing as man to man, and holding familiar conversation with him.
The narrative affords a pleasing instance of the primitive manners of the East. The hospitality of the pastoral tribes was spontaneous and unreserved. The washing of the feet, which were partly at least uncovered in walking, the reclining under the tree, and the offer of refreshment, are indicative of an unchanging rural simplicity. The phrases âa little water, a morsel of bread,â flow from a thoughtful courtesy. âTherefore are ye come.â In the course of events it has so fallen out, in order that you might be refreshed. The brief reply is a frank and unaffected acceptance of the hospitable invitation.
Genesis 18:6-8
Abraham hastened. - The unvarying customs of Eastern pastoral life here come up before us. There is plenty of flour and of live cattle. But the cakes have to be kneaded and baked on the hearth, and the calf has to be killed and dressed. Abraham personally gives directions, Sarah personally attends to the baking, and the boy or lad - that is, the domestic servant whose business it is - kills and dresses the meat. Abraham himself attends upon his guests. âThree seahs.â About three pecks, and therefore a superabundant supply for three guests. An omer, or three tenths of a seah, was considered sufficient for one man for a day Exodus 16:16. But Abraham had a numerous household, and plentifulness was the character of primitive hospitality. âHearth cakes,â baked among the coals. âButterâ - seemingly any preparation of milk, cream, curds, or butter, all of which are used in the East.
Genesis 18:9-15
The promise to Sarah. The men now enter upon the business of their visit. âWhere is Sarah thy wife?â The jealousy and seclusion of later times had not yet rendered such an inquiry uncourteous. Sarah is within hearing of the conversation. âI will certainly return unto thee.â This is the language of self-determination, and therefore suitable to the sovereign, not to the ambassador. âAt the time of life;â literally the living time, seemingly the time of birth, when the child comes to manifest life. âSarah thy wife shall have a son.â Sarah hears this with incredulous surprise, and laughs with mingled doubt and delight. She knows that in the nature of things she is past child-bearing. âIs anything too hard for the Lord?â Sarah laughed within herself, within the tent and behind the speaker; yet to her surprise her internal feelings are known to him. She finds there is One present who rises above the sphere of nature. In her confusion and terror she denies that she laughed. But he who sees what is within, insists that she did laugh, at least in the thought of her heart. There is a beautiful simplicity in the whole scene. Sarah now doubtless received faith and strength to conceive.
Verse 16-33
The conference concerning Sodom. The human manner of the interview is carried out to the end. Abraham convoys his departing guests. The Lord then speaks, apparently debating with himself whether he shall reveal his intentions to Abraham. The reasons for doing so are assigned. First. Abraham shall surely become a nation great and mighty, and therefore has the interest of humanity in this act of retribution on Sodom. All that concerns man concerns him. Second. Blessed in him shall be all the nations of the earth. Hence, he is personally and directly concerned with all the dealings of mercy and judgment among the inhabitants of the earth. Third. âI have known him.â The Lord has made himself known to him, has manifested his love to him, has renewed him after his own image; and hence this judgment upon Sodom is to be explained to him, that he may train his household to avoid the sins of this doomed city, âto keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; and all this to the further intent that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what he hath spoken of him.â The awful judgments of the Lord on Sodom, as before on the antediluvian world, are a warning example to all who are spared or hear of them. And those who, notwithstanding these monuments of the divine vengeance, will cease to do justice and judgment, may be certain that they will not continue to enjoy the benefits of the covenant of grace. For all these reasons it is meet that the secret of Lord be with him Psalms 25:11.
Genesis 18:20-22
The Lord now proceeds to unfold his design. There is justice in every step of the divine procedure. He comes down to inquire and act according to the merits of the case. The men now depart on their errand; but Abraham still stands before the Lord.
Genesis 18:23-33
Abraham intercedes for Sodom. His spiritual character is unfolded and exalted more and more. He employs the language of a free-born son with his heavenly Father. He puts forward the plea of justice to the righteous in behalf of the city. He ventures to repeat his intervention six times, every time diminishing the number of the righteous whom he supposes to be in it. The patience of the Lord is no less remarkable than the perseverance of Abraham. In every case he grants his petition. âDust and ashes.â This may refer to the custom of burning the dead, as then coexistent with that of burying them. Abraham intimates by a homely figure the comparative insignificance of the petitioner. He is dust at first, and ashes at last.
This completes the full and free conversation of God with Abraham. He accepts his hospitable entertainment, renews his promise of a son by Sarah, communicates to him his counsel, and grants all his requests. It is evident that Abraham has now fully entered upon all the privileges of the sons of God. He has become the friend of God James 2:23.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Genesis 18:14. Is any thing too hard for the Lord? — ××פ×× ××××× ××ר hayippale meihovah dabar, shall a word (or thing) be wonderful from the Lord? i.e., Can any thing be too great a miracle for him to effect? The Septuagint translate the passage, Îη Î±Î´Ï Î½Î±ÏηÏει ÏαÏα ÏÏÍ ÎεÏÍ ÏÌημα; which St. Luke adopts almost literatim, only making it an affirmative position instead of a question: ÎÏ Îº Î±Î´Ï Î½Î±ÏηÏει ÏαÏα ÏÏÍ ÎεÏÍ Ïαν ÏÌημα, which we translate, "With God nothing shall be impossible," Luke 1:37. Many copies of the Septuagint insert the word Ïαν before ÏÌημα, as in St. Luke; but it makes little difference in the sense. It was to correct Sarah's unbelief, and to strengthen her faith, that God spoke these most important words; words which state that where human wisdom, prudence, and energy fall, and where nature herself ceases to be an agent, through lack of energy to act, or laws to direct and regulate energy, there also God has full sway, and by his own omnific power works all things after the counsel of his own will. Is there an effect to be produced? God can produce it as well without as with means. He produced nature, the whole system of causes and effects, when in the whole compass of his own eternity there was neither means nor being. HE spake, and it was done; HE commanded, and it stood fast. How great and wonderful is God!
