Genesis 18:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Abraham and Sarah are elderly, and Sarah can no longer bear children.
The Context of Genesis 18:11
Sarah is beyond the natural age of bearing children.
What Does Genesis 18:11 Mean?
The narrator establishes the biological impossibility facing Sarah. 'Well stricken in age' emphasizes her advanced years, and the delicate phrase 'it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women' indicates she has passed childbearing age entirely.
This detail grounds the promise in reality. The son promised to Abraham will not result from natural means but requires divine intervention, making the covenant act of God unmistakable.
Genesis 18:11 in the Original Language
chadvlet (חָדְלַת), 'ceased'—to stop, end, or fail, describing the complete end of fertility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 18:11
What does Genesis 18:11 mean?
Abraham and Sarah are elderly, and Sarah can no longer bear children.
What is the context of Genesis 18:11?
Sarah is beyond the natural age of bearing children.