Topical Bible: Abraham: Marries Sarah

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Introduction

Abraham, originally named Abram, is a central figure in the Bible, revered as the patriarch of the Israelites, Ishmaelites, Edomites, and Midianites. His life and faith journey are pivotal in the narrative of the Hebrew Scriptures. One of the significant aspects of Abraham's life is his marriage to Sarah, originally named Sarai, which plays a crucial role in the unfolding of God's covenantal promises.

Background

Abraham was born in Ur of the Chaldeans, a city in ancient Mesopotamia. He was the son of Terah and had two brothers, Nahor and Haran. The family later moved to Haran, where Terah died. It was in Haran that God called Abram to leave his country and family to go to a land that He would show him, promising to make him a great nation (Genesis 12:1-2).

Marriage to Sarah

Abram's marriage to Sarai is first mentioned in Genesis 11:29: "And Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah and Iscah." Sarai was Abram's half-sister, sharing the same father, Terah, but having a different mother (Genesis 20:12).

Significance of the Marriage

The marriage between Abram and Sarai is significant for several reasons:

1. Covenantal Promises: God's promises to Abram included making him a great nation, which necessitated offspring. However, Sarai was barren, which introduced a significant challenge to the fulfillment of God's promise (Genesis 11:30).

2. Name Changes: As part of God's covenant, both Abram and Sarai received new names. Abram became Abraham, meaning "father of many nations," and Sarai became Sarah, meaning "princess" (Genesis 17:5, 15). These name changes signified their roles in God's plan.

3. Divine Intervention: Despite their advanced age and Sarah's barrenness, God promised Abraham that Sarah would bear a son. This promise was fulfilled with the birth of Isaac, through whom the covenantal promises would continue (Genesis 17:19, 21:1-3).

4. Faith and Testing: Abraham and Sarah's journey was marked by tests of faith, including their sojourn in Egypt, where Abraham, fearing for his life, asked Sarah to say she was his sister (Genesis 12:11-13). This incident, among others, highlighted the complexities and challenges in their relationship and faith journey.

Conclusion

The marriage of Abraham and Sarah is foundational to the biblical narrative, illustrating themes of faith, promise, and divine intervention. Their union and the subsequent birth of Isaac are pivotal in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for humanity.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 11:29
And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of Faith.
... was already dead in regard to offspring, and Sarah his wife ... our faith we are adopted
into the sonship of Abraham. ... For who takes a voyage, or marries, or begets ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture v of faith.htm

Chapter xvi.
... But if she be put away by the husband, with whom she desired to be, he indeed who
marries her commits ... [152] Abraham taking Hagar with Sarah's consent. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xvi.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... in his new abode; Hagar died before Sarah, and it ... festival in the following year;
he marries Rebecca in ... year that his father married Keturah; Abraham before he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

Letter cxxiii. To Ageruchia.
... [3264] A woman who marries more than ... Hagar and Sarah, or Sinai and Zion, are typical
of the ... First adopted from among the idolaters by Abraham and Moses, this ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxiii to ageruchia.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... Sarah, typifying the Church, when it had ceased to be ... Whence Abraham also makes his
servant swear upon his thigh ... he had previously said "He who marries a wife ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... Except for fornication's sake, I say, Makes her adult'ress, and who marries her,
So ... journey into Egypt, for I am The God of thy forefathers, Abraham And Isaac ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm