The second part of this subdivision relates to the announcement by the guests that Sarah will have a child.

They said to him: They refers to the visitors and him to Abraham. The narrator does not say whether this dialogue takes place during the meal or following it. Since this verse opens another episode, some languages may find it more natural to introduce a time setting such as “While they were eating…” or “When they had finished eating….” Since a question follows this introduction, it may be more natural to say “They asked.” If the three visitors appear to be speaking at once as they address Abraham, a literal translation may be unsuitable. In that case we may say “One of the visitors asked Abraham,” or if a passive can be used, “Abraham was asked….”

Where is Sarah your wife?: this question shifts the focus from Abraham to Sarah, and it gives the first hint of why the three men have come to Abraham’s camp. In some languages this question may suggest that Sarah is not there in the camp, or it may be inappropriate for some other reason. The form of the question should be changed in such cases; for instance, one translation expresses it as “Your wife Sarah, is she here?” Abraham does not appear to be offended by the question when he answers directly She is in the tent. Sarah is in a position to overhear the conversations going on under the tree nearby, and the visitors now know this.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .