وَٱمْرَأَتُهُۥ قَآئِمَةٌ فَضَحِكَتْ فَبَشَّرْنَٰهَا بِإِسْحَٰقَ وَمِن وَرَآءِ إِسْحَٰقَ يَعْقُوبَ
21:73; 51:29.
Important Words:
ضحکت (she was frightened) is formed from ضحک which means: (1) he laughed; (2) he wondered (3) he was frightened or he feared. ضحکت المرأة means, the woman menstruated (Lane & Mufradat).
Commentary:
When Abraham’s wife, Sarah, heard the sad news of the impending destruction of Lot’s people, she was naturally frightened and her heart became filled with pain and pity for them.
Sarah’s feeling of pity for Lot’s people pleased God and He hastened to give her the glad tidings of the birth of a grandson (Jacob) in addition to the announcement of a son (Isaac) that had already been made to Abraham in v.70.
The present verse also incidentally shows that it was not Isaac but Ishmael whom Abraham offered for sacrifice, for according to it God promised not only a son (Isaac) but also a grandson to Abraham. Thus Isaac, the promised son, was not only to live and marry but also to have a son who was to be called Jacob. It cannot therefore be supposed that God, Who Himself had announced that Isaac was to live and marry and beget children, should have commanded that the selfsame Isaac be offered for sacrifice.
21:73; 51:29.