Genesis 18:10-12

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Genesis 18:10 tn Heb “he”; the referent (one of the three men introduced in v. 2) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Some English translations have specified the referent as the Lord (cf. RSV, NIV) based on vv. 1, 13, but the Hebrew text merely has “he said” at this point, referring to one of the three visitors. Aside from the introductory statement in v. 1, the incident is narrated from Abraham’s point of view, and the suspense is built up for the reader as Abraham’s elaborate banquet preparations in the preceding verses suggest he suspects these are important guests. But not until the promise of a son later in this verse does it become clear who is speaking. In v. 13 the Hebrew text explicitly mentions the Lord.
2. Genesis 18:10 tn The Hebrew construction is emphatic, using the infinitive absolute with the imperfect tense.sn I will surely return. If Abraham had not yet figured out who this was, this interchange would have made it clear. Otherwise, how would a return visit from this man mean Sarah would have a son?
3. Genesis 18:10 tn Heb “as/when the time lives” or “revives,” possibly referring to the springtime.
4. Genesis 18:10 tn Heb “and there will be (הִנֵּה, hinneh) a son for Sarah.”
5. Genesis 18:10 tn This is the first of two disjunctive parenthetical clauses preparing the reader for Sarah’s response (see v. 12).
6. Genesis 18:11 tn Heb “days.”
7. Genesis 18:11 tn Heb “it had ceased to be for Sarah [after] a way like women.”
8. Genesis 18:12 tn Heb “saying.”
9. Genesis 18:12 tn It has been suggested that this word should be translated “conception,” not “pleasure.” See A. A. McIntosh, “A Third Root ‘adah in Biblical Hebrew,” VT 24 (1974): 454-73.
10. Genesis 18:12 tn The word “too” has been added in the translation for stylistic reasons.