The full meaning of "outward circumstances" can be made explicit. AT: "Even though it seemed impossible for him to have descendants" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
The full promise God gave to Abraham can be made explicit: AT: "You will have more descendants than you can count" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
Here Abraham's old age and Sarah's inability to have children is compared to something that is dead. This emphasizes that it seemed impossible for them to have children. AT: "Abraham realized he was very old and his wife Sarah could not have children" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])