Bible Strands
Genesis 18:15
But Sarah was afraid, so she denied it and said, “I did not laugh.” “No,” replied the LORD, “but you did laugh.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God addresses Sarah immediately after promising Abraham that she will bear a son within a year. She responds to His inquiry while hiding behind the tent entrance.
The words — The Hebrew verb תּכחשׁ (te.kha.Chesh) literally means she denied or concealed, while צחקתי (tza.Chak.ti) means I laughed. These terms record her spoken refusal and God’s direct verbal correction.
The thread — The text records divine confrontation of human denial in Proverbs 28:13, 1 John 1:8, and Psalm 44:21. Each passage notes that God perceives concealed actions and thoughts that people attempt to hide.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to state their actual condition rather than offer defensive denials. It demands acceptance of divine correction without attempting to obscure one’s motives or actions.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
- 1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
- Psalms 44:21 would not God have discovered, since He knows the secrets of the heart?
- Ephesians 4:23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds;
- Genesis 4:9 And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
- Genesis 12:13 Please say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake, and on account of you my life will be spared.”
- Job 2:10 “You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept from God only good and not adversity?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
- Proverbs 12:19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
- Mark 2:8 At once Jesus knew in His spirit that they were thinking this way within themselves. “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?” He asked.
- John 2:25 He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.