Genesis 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.
Study Note
Study Note
The divine rhetorical question 'is anything too hard for the Lord?' is addressed to Sarah's silent laughter at the promise of a son in her old age, reframing her impossibility calculation within the framework of divine omnipotence. The Hebrew 'yippale'' (too hard, too wonderful) carries the sense of beyond natural capacity — and is used in the same root-form for miracles elsewhere. Jesus echoes this promise in Luke 1:37 ('nothing shall be impossible with God') when Gabriel announces to Mary the conception of Jesus — drawing the Annunciation into explicit continuity with the Abrahamic promise. Jeremiah 32:27 ('is anything too hard for me?') reuses the same formula in the context of the purchase of a field during siege — an act of covenant trust.
Other Translations
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.
And Jehovah saith unto Abraham, `Why <FI>is<Fi> 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 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.
Cross References
But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the …
And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife …
And the Lord said unto Moses, Is the Lord’s hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall …
Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.
That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather …
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison …
And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, …
Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall …
Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord …
Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.