Topical Encyclopedia Sarah, originally named Sarai, is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, known for her role as the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac. Her account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, where she is depicted as a matriarch of the Israelite people and a woman of faith.Name and Identity Sarai, meaning "my princess," was renamed Sarah, meaning "princess," by God as part of His covenant with Abraham. This name change signified her role in the divine promise that Abraham would be "a father of many nations" (Genesis 17:5). Sarah's new name underscored her importance in the fulfillment of God's promise, as she was to be the mother of nations and kings. Promise of a Son Sarah's account is marked by a long period of barrenness, which was a source of personal distress and cultural shame. Despite this, God promised Abraham that Sarah would bear a son. In Genesis 17:16 , God declares, "I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will become nations; kings of peoples will descend from her." Initially, Sarah struggled to believe this promise due to her advanced age. In Genesis 18:12 , upon overhearing the Lord's promise of a son, Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?" Her laughter was not of joy but of incredulity, reflecting her doubt and the seeming impossibility of the promise. Birth of Isaac Despite her initial skepticism, God's promise was fulfilled. In Genesis 21:1-2 , it is recorded, "Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him." The birth of Isaac, whose name means "he laughs," was a testament to God's faithfulness and power to bring life from barrenness. Significance in the Covenant Isaac's birth was not only a personal blessing to Sarah and Abraham but also a pivotal moment in the unfolding of God's covenant with Abraham. Isaac was the child through whom God's promises would be carried forward, establishing the lineage that would eventually lead to the nation of Israel and, ultimately, to the Messiah. Legacy Sarah's life is a testament to the complexities of faith, doubt, and divine promise. Her account is celebrated in the New Testament as an example of faith. In Hebrews 11:11 , it is written, "By faith Sarah herself, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child because she considered Him faithful who had promised." Sarah's journey from doubt to faith, and her role as the mother of Isaac, underscores her significance in biblical history as a matriarch and a woman who, despite her imperfections, was integral to God's redemptive plan. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 21:3,6-8And Abraham called the name of his son that was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac. Nave's Topical Index Library Chapter xii Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs. The Perpetual virginity of Blessed Mary. Chapter xvii Book iii. The Book of Jubilees The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic ... Resources Who was Abraham in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Isaac in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org How did God use dreams and visions in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sarah: Also Called Sarai is Sterile; Gives Her Handmaiden, Hagar, to Abraham As a Concubine Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Character of Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Death and Burial of Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Gives Birth to Isaac Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Her Jealousy of Hagar Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Her Miraculous Conception of Isaac Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Name Changed from Sarai to Sarah Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Near of Kin to Abraham Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Wife of Abraham Related Terms |
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