Who Is Sarah in the Bible?
Sarah, originally named Sarai, is the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac. She is one of the most prominent women in the Bible and is honored as a matriarch of Israel and a woman of great faith. Her story is found in Genesis 11–23, and she is mentioned in key New Testament passages for her role in God’s redemptive plan.
Her name:
- Sarai means “my princess.”
- Sarah, the name God later gave her, means “princess of nations.”
Biblical Background
➤ Family and Early Life
- Sarah was Abraham’s half-sister and wife (Genesis 20:12).
- They lived in Ur of the Chaldeans, a pagan city, before God called Abraham to leave and go to the land of Canaan.
➤ The Journey of Faith
- Sarah left her homeland, wealth, and comfort to follow Abraham into the unknown, demonstrating tremendous courage and trust.
- She traveled through Canaan, Egypt, and Gerar, enduring hardships, barrenness, and dangers.
The Promise and the Impossible
➤ Barren Yet Blessed
- For many years, Sarah was unable to have children, which was a source of deep pain and cultural shame.
- Despite her infertility, God promised Abraham that Sarah would bear a son (Genesis 17:15–16).
- She laughed in disbelief when she first heard the promise (Genesis 18:12), yet God gently reminded her: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14)
➤ Birth of Isaac (Genesis 21:1–7)
- At the age of 90, Sarah miraculously gave birth to Isaac, fulfilling God’s long-awaited promise.
- She named him Isaac, which means “laughter,” saying, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”
Sarah’s Character and Significance
1. A Woman of Faith
- Though she had moments of doubt, Sarah ultimately believed that God was faithful to His word.
- Hebrews 11:11 praises her: “By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive… since she considered Him faithful who had promised.”
2. An Honored Wife
- 1 Peter 3:6 highlights Sarah’s respect and submission to Abraham, calling him “lord” in humility and honor.
- She is a model for godly womanhood and strength.
3. A Matriarch of Nations
- God promised she would be “a mother of nations” and that “kings of peoples would come from her” (Genesis 17:16).
- Her son Isaac fathered Jacob (Israel), through whom the nation of Israel—and ultimately Jesus—came.
Lessons from Sarah’s Life
- God’s timing is perfect – Even after decades of waiting, God’s promise came true.
- Nothing is too hard for the Lord – Her barren womb became the birthplace of a nation.
- Faith grows over time – Sarah had her doubts, but she grew into a woman honored for her trust in God.
- Your story is never over – Sarah’s most significant moment came at age 90. God’s promises are not limited by age or circumstance.
- God redeems our mistakes – Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham in impatience (Genesis 16), but God still fulfilled His original plan through Sarah.
Legacy and Death
- Sarah is the only woman in the Bible whose age at death is recorded: she died at 127 years old (Genesis 23:1).
- She is buried in the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron—later the burial place of Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah.
Summary
Sarah is a shining example of how faith can flourish through adversity. Her life teaches us that God’s promises may delay, but they never fail. She became the mother of a nation, the wife of the father of faith, and a woman remembered for her transformation from doubt to deep trust. Through her story, we’re reminded that God sees, hears, and honors our faith—even when it starts small.