Why Abraham Laughed and Was Only Ten Years Older Than Sarah

Midrash Aggadah, Genesis 17:17

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And Abraham fell on his face and laughed" (Genesis 17:17). For so he said in his heart, that the Holy One, blessed be He, had done this thing, and it was a wonder to all, and they said: Who has seen such a thing, that Abraham, a hundred years old, should beget a child? "And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?" (Genesis 17:17). From here we learn that Abraham was not older than Sarah by more than ten years.

Themes

AbrahamDivine Promise

Biblical References

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Pesikta RabbatiThe Lord Remembered Sarah and the Keys of the WombSarah had spent decades hearing herself called barren. Rulers mocked her; even she had once told herself plainly, the Lord has held me back from bearing. And thYalkut Shimoni on TorahGod Spoke to Abraham Only After Lot Departed From HimNotice the timing. The verse pointedly says God spoke to Abraham "after Lot had separated from him" (Genesis 13:14). The Sages read that delay as meaningful. SoYalkut Shimoni on TorahOg Mocks Isaac at the Feast and Is Doomed by His LineWhen Abraham made his great feast, the Sages say the celebration drew in the powers of the world, including the giant Og and the kings of the earth. These were Midrash AggadahAbraham's Ten Trials and the Command Lech LechaWhen the Holy One commanded Abram, "Lech lecha — go forth," the sages heard more than a travel order. The letters of lech lecha add up to one hundred: a hidden Book of JubileesYoung Abraham Prays Alone Against Idol WorshipThat’s kind of the vibe we get when we look at the early life of Abraham, or Avram as he was known then. to the Book of Jubilees, a fascinating ancient Jewish tBook of JubileesFourteen-Year-Old Abram Drives Away the RavensLet me tell you a story from the Book of Jubilees, an ancient Jewish text that expands on stories from the Torah. It’s sowing season. The time when farmers scat