Then Sarah said,This phrase marks a significant moment in Sarah's life, as she speaks after the fulfillment of God's promise to her and Abraham. Sarah, who had been barren for many years, now experiences the joy of motherhood. Her words reflect a personal testimony of God's faithfulness. In the broader biblical narrative, Sarah's voice here is important as it highlights the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham, which is central to the unfolding story of Israel.
“God has made me laugh,
The laughter here is one of joy and amazement, contrasting with Sarah's earlier laughter of doubt inGenesis 18:12 when she first heard the promise of a son. This transformation from doubt to joy underscores the theme of God's power to bring about the impossible. The name Isaac, which means "he laughs," is a direct reflection of this moment, symbolizing the joy and fulfillment of God's promise. This laughter can also be seen as a type of the joy that comes with the fulfillment of God's promises in Christ, who brings ultimate joy and salvation.
and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me.”
Sarah anticipates that her joy will be shared by others, indicating the communal nature of God's blessings. This reflects the broader biblical theme that God's work in the lives of individuals often has implications for the community. The laughter of others can be seen as a recognition of God's miraculous intervention. This communal joy prefigures the joy of the nations in the New Testament, where the good news of Jesus Christ is shared and celebrated by all who hear it. The laughter also serves as a testimony to God's faithfulness and power, encouraging others to trust in His promises.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SarahThe wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac. Her laughter signifies joy and fulfillment of God's promise.
2.
IsaacThe son of Abraham and Sarah, whose name means "he laughs," reflecting the joy and surprise of his birth.
3.
AbrahamThe patriarch of the Israelites, who received God's promise of a son in his old age.
4.
GodThe divine being who fulfills His promise to Abraham and Sarah, demonstrating His faithfulness.
5.
The Birth of IsaacA miraculous event, as Sarah bore a child in her old age, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham.
Teaching Points
God's FaithfulnessGod's promises are sure, even when they seem impossible by human standards. Sarah's laughter is a testament to God's faithfulness.
Joy in FulfillmentThe fulfillment of God's promises brings joy not only to the individual but also to the community. Sarah's laughter invites others to share in her joy.
Transformation of DoubtInitial doubt can be transformed into joy and faith. Sarah's journey from skepticism to laughter is a powerful example.
The Power of God's TimingGod's timing is perfect. Isaac's birth at the appointed time demonstrates that God's plans unfold according to His divine schedule.
Community of BelieversThe shared laughter signifies the importance of community in celebrating God's work. Believers are encouraged to rejoice with those who rejoice.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 21:6?
2.How does Sarah's laughter in Genesis 21:6 reflect God's faithfulness to promises?
3.What can we learn about God's timing from Sarah's joy in Genesis 21:6?
4.How does Genesis 21:6 connect to God's promise in Genesis 18:10-14?
5.How can we apply Sarah's joy in Genesis 21:6 to our own faith?
6.In what ways can we share our joy in God's blessings with others?
7.How does Genesis 21:6 reflect God's promise and fulfillment in Sarah's life?
8.What is the significance of laughter in Genesis 21:6?
9.How does Genesis 21:6 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His covenant?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 21?
11.What does the Bible say about the value of laughter?
12.What does the Bible say about the value of laughter?
13.Who exemplifies faith and strength among biblical women?
14.Does laughter bring joy to the heart?What Does Genesis 21:6 Mean
Then Sarah said•Genesis 21:1-2 sets the scene: “The LORD visited Sarah… and Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age.”
• Sarah’s words flow from a literal, historical fulfillment of a 25-year-old promise (Genesis 17:19; 18:10, 14).
• Her speech shows that personal testimony is a vital part of Scripture’s storyline; God wants His works declared aloud (Psalm 40:9-10;Mark 5:19).
•Hebrews 11:11 points back to this moment, reminding us that faith receives strength when God speaks and then acts exactly as He said.
God has made me laugh• The focus is on God as the direct cause of joy. What Adam’s race could never engineer, God delivered.
• Earlier laughter was tinged with doubt—Abraham “fell facedown and laughed” (Genesis 17:17), and Sarah “laughed to herself” (Genesis 18:12-13). Now the laughter is pure delight.
• Isaac’s name means “he laughs,” turning every call of his name into a reminder of God’s faithfulness (Genesis 21:3).
•Psalm 126:2 captures the same theme: “Then our mouths were filled with laughter… The LORD has done great things for us.”
• Christ foretold a comparable shift for His disciples: “Your grief will turn to joy” (John 16:20-22).
Everyone who hears of this• Sarah foresees a ripple effect; her private miracle becomes public proclamation (Isaiah 12:4-5).
•Luke 1:58 echoes the pattern: neighbors and relatives “heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.”
• God’s works are meant for communal celebration, not silent admiration (Psalm 105:1-2;1 Chronicles 16:8-9).
• Testifying spreads faith: if God kept His word to a barren 90-year-old, He can keep every promise He has made (Romans 4:20-21).
Will laugh with me• Joy shared is joy multiplied. The covenant family is invited to step into Sarah’s amazement (Romans 12:15;Philippians 4:4).
• The phrase anticipates worship gatherings where God’s people rejoice together (Psalm 98:4;Revelation 19:7).
• Sarah’s inclusion of others highlights that God blesses individuals so the wider community may praise Him (Genesis 12:2-3 fulfilled in seed form here).
• Persistent rejoicing becomes a mark of believers’ life together: “Rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16).
summaryGenesis 21:6 records Sarah’s spontaneous praise when Isaac is born. She openly testifies, traces her joy back to God, anticipates a widening circle of witnesses, and invites them into corporate celebration. The verse teaches that God’s fulfilled promises turn doubt to delight, private blessing to public testimony, and solitary joy to shared worship—and it stands as a timeless reminder that “the LORD is faithful to all His promises” (Psalm 145:13).
(6, 7)
God hath made me to laugh.--Sarah's laugh was one of mingled emotions. Joy was uppermost in her mind, but women do not laugh for joy at the birth of a child. Doubtless she called to mind the feelings with which she listened to the announcement of her bearing a son, made by those whom she then regarded as mere passing wayfarers (
Genesis 18:12), but whom she had now long known to be the messengers of God. And still the event seemed to her marvellous and astonishing, so that "all that hear," she said, "will laugh with me"--Heb.,
for me,or
over me--not "will ridicule me," but will be merry at the thought of an old woman of ninety having a son. Deeper feelings would come afterwards, and the acknowledgment that that which was contrary to nature was wrought by Him whom nature must obey; but surprise is uppermost in the little poem in which Sarah gives utterance to her first feelings:--
Who would have said unto Abraham
Sarah suckleth sons?
For I have borne a son to his old age.
Verse 6. -
And Sarah said, - the spiritual elevation of her soul being indicated by the poetical form of her speech. Differing from Mary s magnificat in having been uttered after, and not before, the birth of the promised seed, the anthem of Sarah was obviously designed as a prelude to that loftier song of the Virgin (cf.
Luke 1:46). It consists of two sentences, the first containing two, and the second three lines -
God hath made me to laugh. Or, retaining the order of the Hebrew,
To laugh hath made me Elohim; the emphatic position of
צְחֹק, containing an allusion to the name Isaac, probably indicating that Sarah's laughter was of a different character now from what it had previously been (
Genesis 18:12); and her ascription of it to Elohim intimating that him whom she formerly mistook for a traveler she now recognized to be Divine ('Speaker's Commentary').
So thatall that hear me will laugh with me. Not, will laugh at me,
deridebit me (Peele), a sense the words will bear (Rosenmüller, 'Speaker's Commentary'), though in the instances adduced (
Job 5:22;
Job 39:7, 18, 22)
צָחַק לְ rather conveys the idea of despising difficulties (Kalisch); but, will laugh with me,
συγχαρεῖταί μου,
congaudebit mihi (LXX., Vulgate, Targums, Calvin, Dathe, Keil).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then Sarahשָׂרָ֔ה(śā·rāh)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8283:Sarah -- 'princess', a wife of Abrahamsaid,וַתֹּ֣אמֶר(wat·tō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“Godאֱלֹהִ֑ים(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativehas madeעָ֥שָׂה(‘ā·śāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makemeלִ֖י(lî)Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrewlaugh,צְחֹ֕ק(ṣə·ḥōq)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6712:Laughterand everyoneכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everywho hears of thisהַשֹּׁמֵ֖עַ(haš·šō·mê·a‘)Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8085:To hear intelligentlywill laugh with me.”יִֽצְחַק־(yiṣ·ḥaq-)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6711:To laugh outright, to sport
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OT Law: Genesis 21:6 Sarah said God has made me laugh (Gen. Ge Gn) 
