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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse poses a rhetorical question about God's ability, but the real punch is in the context of that question. It's spoken immediately after Sarah laughs in disbelief at the promise of a son, revealing that God not only heard her private, unexpressed doubt but directly addressed it, showing His knowledge penetrates even our hidden thoughts.
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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
God, appearing as a visitor to Abraham, has just gently exposed Sarah's private laughter of disbelief at the promise of a son. In response, the divine speaker directly challenges the notion that this promise, or any promise, is beyond God's power, reaffirming that Sarah will indeed have a son within a year. This exchange occurs as God is also preparing to reveal His judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah to Abraham, highlighting the dual themes of divine promise and judgment unfolding in this passage.
Sarah laughed in disbelief when told she'd have a child at her age. This verse is God's bold response, reminding us of His limitless power.
The question, 'Is anything too hard for the LORD?' isn't just rhetorical; it's a profound statement of God's sovereignty over natural laws. Sarah, at 90 years old, and Abraham, at 100, were far beyond the biological capacity to have children. Yet, God's promise was not dependent on their ability but on His own omnipotence.
This highlights a core truth: God's power isn't constrained by the 'way things usually are.' He is the Creator of nature, not its servant. When His promises seem impossible by human standards, it's an invitation to trust in His power that operates above and beyond our understanding.
The promise of a son came with a specific timeline. It wasn't just if but when God would fulfill His word.
The phrase 'At the appointed time' (or 'according to the time of life') is crucial. It signifies that God's promises unfold according to His perfect timing, not ours or based on natural cycles.
This isn't about God being limited by time, but about His deliberate orchestration of events. He doesn't just make things happen; He makes them happen at the right moment. This appointed time is often when human hope is gone, making His intervention all the more glorious and demonstrating His faithfulness.
Understand the original words
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mo'ed · Hebrew Noun
The specific, determined time set by God for the fulfillment of His promises or the execution of His divine purposes.
ben · Hebrew Noun
A male child born to a mother; in Scripture, often used to signify the continuation of a lineage, covenant blessings, or the heir of a promise.
This promise to Abraham and Sarah comes after decades of waiting and a previous attempt to fulfill God's promise through human effort (Ishmael). The divine visit and the pronouncement of the promise directly address their doubt and the seemingly impossible biological reality of their advanced age.
c. 2091 BC
God's Covenant with Abraham
God formally establishes a covenant with Abraham, promising him countless descendants and land. This promise of descendants is central to Abraham and Sarah's long wait for a son.
c. 2090 BC
Birth of Ishmael
Sarah, impatient with God's timing, gives her handmaid Hagar to Abraham, resulting in the birth of Ishmael. This event introduces complications and highlights Sarah's continuing struggle with faith and the promise.
c. 2090-2066 BC
Abraham and Sarah's Continued Wait
Years pass after Ishmael's birth and the covenant. Abraham is 86 when Ishmael is born, and Sarah is in her late 70s, yet the promised son has not arrived, testing their faith.
c. 2066 BC— this verse
The Lord Appears to Abraham
The Lord appears to Abraham near Mamre, accompanied by two angels. This divine encounter is the immediate context for the promise of a son.
c. 2066 BC
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah Foretold
Following the promise to Abraham, the Lord discusses the impending judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah with Abraham, demonstrating His power and justice.
This passage echoes the question posed by Abraham, affirming God's absolute power over creation and His ability to accomplish even the most difficult feats.
Luke 1:37This New Testament verse directly quotes the sentiment of Genesis 18:14, applying it to the miraculous conception of Jesus, emphasizing that 'no word spoken by God will ever fail to be accomplished.'
Romans 4:20-21Paul reflects on Abraham's faith in this very promise, highlighting that Abraham 'gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised,' underscoring the theme of God's unwavering power.
Philippians 4:13This verse speaks to the believer's strength, not in themselves, but through Christ who strengthens them, reflecting the ultimate source of power and possibility found in God.
calvinGenesis 18:1-33: "And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;"
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
Et negavit Sarah, dicendo, Non risi: quia timuit. Et dixit, Nequaquam, quia risisti.
And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
Et surrexerunt inde viri, et respexerunt contra faciem S…
gillGenesis 18:14: "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?.... 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 c…
The verse poses a rhetorical question about God's ability, but the real punch is in the context of that question. It's spoken immediately after Sarah laughs in disbelief at the promise of a son, revealing that God not only heard her private, unexpressed doubt but directly addressed it, showing His knowledge penetrates even our hidden thoughts.
God, appearing as a visitor to Abraham, has just gently exposed Sarah's private laughter of disbelief at the promise of a son. In response, the divine speaker directly challenges the notion that this promise, or any promise, is beyond God's power, reaffirming that Sarah will indeed have a son within a year. This exchange occurs as God is also preparing to reveal His judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah to Abraham, highlighting the dual themes of divine promise and judgment unfolding in this passage.
God, appearing as a visitor to Abraham, has just gently exposed Sarah's private laughter of disbelief at the promise of a son. In response, the divine speaker directly challenges the notion that this promise, or any promise, is beyond God's power, reaffirming that Sarah will indeed have a son within a year. This exchange occurs as God is also preparing to reveal His judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah to Abraham, highlighting the dual themes of divine promise and judgment unfolding in this passage.
"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.”" — The verse poses a rhetorical question about God's ability, but the real punch is in the context of that question. It's spoken immediately after Sarah laughs in disbelief at the promise of a son, re…
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Last reviewed October 2026