The Quran’s Depiction of Abraham in Light of the Hebrew Bible and Midrash r 55sometimes they became bored and wished to leave. In order to keep their
attention, he would sometimes add dramatic elements to his preaching.
Other changes in the Quran involved the interpretation of Sarah’s re-
action. In one sura (11:71), Sarah laughed before she heard of the future
birth of Isaac. In another, “she smote her face” after the angels notified her
of the future birth of Isaac (51:29). Quran commentators have attempted
to explain Sarah’s laugh before she heard the news of the birth of a son.
Tabari thought that her laugh stemmed from her wonder at the behavior
of the Sodomites, who did not react to the angels’ words when they were
informed of the punishment they could expect.^48 Tabari offers another
opinion, according to which Sarah saw Abraham honoring the guests andTable 4.1. The Angels’ Visit to Abraham: A Source Comparison
Genesis 18:1–15 Midrash Sura 11:69–72 Sura 51:24–30
Abraham saw three
people, invited them to
his home, gave them
bread, cakes, meat, but-
ter, and milk.
Abraham saw three
angels.^1Abraham saw God’s
messengers and hurried
to bring them roasted
meat.The visitors came to
Abraham. He gave
them meat that was
soft and good.The angels ap-
peared to be eating
and drinking.^2
The angels feared
Abraham.^3He saw that they were
not touching the food
and feared them. They
calmed him down.Abraham was
upset by them; they
calmed him down.The angels told him that
they were sent to the
people of Lot.
His wife laughed.
They told him that
Sarah would give birth
to a son.
They told her of the
birth of Isaac and after
him Jacob.They told him of
the birth of a smart
son.
Sarah laughed to herself,
saying: “Now that I am
withered, am I to have
enjoyment with my
husband so old?”
His wife’s reaction:
“Will I indeed give birth
and I am old and my
husband is old?”His wife smote her
face and said: “An
old woman barren.”Notes
- Bereshit Rabba (Wilna), 48:9.
- Baba Mezia, 86b.
- Bereshit Rabba (Albeck and Wilna), 48:14.