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. Sarah's life and experiences are integral to the narrative of God's covenant with Abraham and the unfolding of His promises to the patriarchs.

Name and Identity

Sarah's original name, Sarai, is believed to mean "my princess" or "princess." In Genesis 17:15, God changes her name to Sarah, meaning "princess," signifying her role as a mother of nations. This name change occurs in conjunction with God's reaffirmation of His covenant with Abraham, highlighting Sarah's importance in the divine plan.

Marriage to Abraham

Sarah was married to Abraham, originally named Abram, and accompanied him on his journey from Ur of the Chaldeans to the land of Canaan. Their marriage is marked by deep companionship and shared faith in God's promises. Despite facing numerous challenges, including barrenness and the trials of nomadic life, Sarah remained a steadfast partner to Abraham.

Promise and Fulfillment

One of the central themes of Sarah's account is the promise of a son. In Genesis 15, God promises Abraham that he will have numerous descendants. However, Sarah's barrenness presents a significant obstacle. In an attempt to fulfill God's promise, Sarah gives her maidservant Hagar to Abraham as a concubine, resulting in the birth of Ishmael (Genesis 16).

Despite this, God reiterates His promise to Abraham, specifically stating that Sarah will bear a son. In Genesis 18:10, the Lord says, "I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son." Sarah, overhearing this, laughs in disbelief due to her advanced age, but God responds, "Is anything too difficult for the LORD?" (Genesis 18:14).

Birth of Isaac

The fulfillment of God's promise comes to pass in Genesis 21 when Sarah gives birth to Isaac. This miraculous event occurs when Sarah is 90 years old, and Abraham is 100, underscoring the divine intervention in their lives. Isaac's birth is a pivotal moment, as he becomes the child through whom God's covenant with Abraham is established.

Legacy and Death

Sarah's legacy is profound, as she is considered the matriarch of the Israelite nation. Her faith and perseverance are celebrated in the New Testament, where she is mentioned in Hebrews 11:11 as an example of faith: "By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered Him faithful who had promised" .

Sarah lived to be 127 years old, and her death is recorded in Genesis 23. Abraham mourns her passing and secures a burial site in the cave of Machpelah, which becomes the family tomb for the patriarchs and matriarchs of Israel.

Significance in Scripture

Sarah's account is a testament to God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. Her life exemplifies the challenges and triumphs of faith, serving as an enduring model for believers. Through Sarah, the lineage of the Messiah is established, linking her to the broader narrative of redemption in the Bible.Genesis 11:29-31
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

Genesis 12:5
And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
Nave's Topical Index

What is Meant by Abraham's Marrying Keturah after Sarah's Death.
... of the old covenant, why may not Keturah and her sons also signify the ... both the wives
and the concubines of Abraham; but Sarah is never called a concubine ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 34 what is meant by.htm

Abraham --The Father of the Faithful.
... He was called a Prince of God by the Canaanites because he lived a true ... A few years
after he also went to God, and his body was laid beside Sarah's in the ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter iii abrahamthe father of.htm

Of the Change of Name in Abraham and Sarah, who Received the Gift ...
... but Abram, as he was formerly called, means "exalted ... as the Scripture testifies;
but she was also barren, and ... of a young woman; as after Sarah's death Abraham ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 28 of the change of.htm

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... there was guilt in the transaction, and called Abram to ... he laughed at the absurdity
that Sarah would ever ... based on the immutability of God, also laughed with ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm

The Perpetual virginity of Blessed Mary.
... and say to them." I say also general, because we ... Just as Lot was called Abraham's
brother, and Jacob Laban's ... just as Abraham himself had to wife Sarah his sister ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the perpetual virginity of blessed.htm

Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision
... a man should increase in knowledge, and also in the ... by the change of name"he is called
no longer ... but Abraham, and his wife is no longer Sarai, but Sarah. ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/consecration to godillustrated by abrahams.htm

Chapter xvii
... the most valiant attempt to make this so-called covenant of ... shalt no longer call
her Sarai, but Sarah shall be ... And I shall bless her and shall also give thee a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xvii.htm

Chapter xii
... An illustration: Sarah's going down to Egypt as a sterile ... this time"as, of course,
in later times also"did not ... In their efforts to set so-called sources at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xii.htm

John i. 41, 42
... covenant, that it was He who altered names, who called Abram "Abraham," and Sarai
"Sarah," and Jacob ... It was also a custom of the Ancients to give names ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xix john i 41.htm

Book iii.
... before thee!" And God said, "Nay, but Sarah thy wife ... secretly laughing, your son
shall be called Isaac, that ... see My face, and live." Wherefore also the Apostle ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book iii.htm

Who was Hagar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Ishmael in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How many wives did Abraham have? | GotQuestions.org

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