Patriarchs · around 2000 BC
Sarah in the Bible
The mother of the promise. Name meaning: “Princess”; first called Sarai, she receives the name Sarah from God (Gen 17:15)
Wife and half-sister of Abraham, Sarah shares his long journey of faith from Ur of the Chaldees. Barren until the age of ninety, she first laughs at the promise, then bears Isaac, the son through whom the covenant will pass. Hebrews 11 ranks her among the heroes of faith (Heb 11:11), and Peter holds her up as a model for Christian wives (1 Pet 3:6).
Key moments
- Her barrenness is noted from her very first mention Genesis 11:30
- Taken into Pharaoh’s house, protected by God Genesis 12:17
- She gives Hagar to Abram Genesis 16:2
- God changes her name from Sarai to Sarah Genesis 17:15
- She laughs when she hears the promise Genesis 18:12
- Isaac is born in her old age Genesis 21:2
- She asks that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away Genesis 21:10
- Dies at 127, in Hebron Genesis 23:1–2
Strengths
- Persevering faith
- Beauty
- Devotion to her husband
- Hospitality
- Strong-willed
Weaknesses
Sarah tried to force the fulfillment of the promise by giving Hagar to Abram, then treated her servant harshly (Gen 16:2-6). She doubted when she laughed at God’s word, and out of fear she lied by denying she had laughed (Gen 18:12-15).
Lessons for today
- Nothing is too hard for God: his promises are fulfilled at the appointed time, even when everything looks dead (Gen 18:14; 21:2).
- Trying to “help” God with our own methods leaves lasting wounds: faith knows how to wait (Gen 16:2-6).
- God can turn our laughter of unbelief into laughter of joy (Gen 18:12; 21:6).
- The true adornment of a woman of God is inward: a gentle and quiet spirit that hopes in God (1 Pet 3:4-6).
Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
People around Sarah
Stories with Sarah
Quiz: how well do you know Sarah?
What was Sarah’s name before God changed it?
God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.” Genesis 17:15
How did Sarah react when she heard that she would have a son?
“Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” Genesis 18:12
What was the name of Sarah’s Egyptian servant?
Sarai “had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.” Bilhah and Zilpah were the servants of Rachel and Leah. Genesis 16:1
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.