SEV Biblia, Chapter 17:17
Entonces Abraham cayó sobre su rostro, y se rió, y dijo en su corazón: ¿A hombre de cien años ha de nacer hijo ? ¿Y si Sara, ya de noventa años, ha de dar a luz?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Genesis 17:17
Verse 17. Then Abraham-laughed] I am astonished to find learned and pious men considering this as a token of Abraham's weakness of faith or unbelief, when they have the most positive assurance from the Spirit of God himself that Abraham was not weak but strong in the faith; that he staggered not at the promise through unbelief, but gave glory to God, Rom. iv. 19, 20. It is true the same word is used, chap. xviii. 12, concerning Sarah, in whom it was certainly a sign of doubtfulness, though mixed with pleasure at the thought of the possibility of her becoming a mother; but we know how possible it is to express both faith and unbelief in the same way, and even pleasure and disdain have been expressed by a smile or laugh. By laughing Abraham undoubtedly expressed his joy at the prospect of the fulfillment of so glorious a promise; and from this very circumstance Isaac had his name. qjxy yitschak, which we change into Isaac, signifies laughter; and it is the same word which is used in the verse before us: Abraham fell on his face, qjxyw vaiyitschak, and he laughed; and to the joy which he felt on this occasion our Lord evidently alludes, John viii. l6: Your father Abraham REJOICED to see my day; and he saw it, and was GLAD. And to commemorate this joy he called his son's name Isaac. See note on ""chap. xxi. 6.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 15-22 - Here is the promise made to Abraham of a son by Sarai, in whom the promise made to him should be fulfilled. The assurance of this promis was the change of Sarai's name into Sarah. Sarai signifies my princess as if her honour were confined to one family only; Sarah signifies princess. The more favours God confers upon us, the more low we shoul be in our own eyes. Abraham showed great joy; he laughed, it was laughter of delight, not of distrust. Now it was that Abraham rejoice to see Christ's day; now he saw it and was glad, Joh 8:56. Abraham dreading lest Ishmael should be abandoned and forsaken of God, put up petition on his behalf. God gives us leave in prayer to be particula in making known our requests. Whatever is our care and fear, should be spread before God in prayer. It is the duty of parents to pray for their children, and the great thing we should desire is, that they ma be kept in covenant with Him, and may have grace to walk before him in uprightness. Common blessings are secured to Ishmael. Outward goo things are often given to those children of godly parents who are bor after the flesh, for their parents' sake. Covenant blessings ar reserved for Isaac, and appropriated to him.
Original Hebrew
ויפל 5307 אברהם 85 על 5921 פניו 6440 ויצחק 6711 ויאמר 559 בלבו 3820 הלבן 1121 מאה 3967 שׁנה 8141 יולד 3205 ואם 518 שׂרה 8283 הבת 1323 תשׁעים 8673 שׁנה 8141 תלד׃ 3205
