Who Was Sarah in the Bible?
Sarah stands as one of the most significant women in Scripture. Originally named Sarai, she was Abraham’s wife and half-sister (Genesis 20:12), who journeyed with him from Ur to the Promised Land. Despite her beauty and privileged position, Sarah carried a deep sorrow—she was barren in a culture where a woman’s worth was often measured by her ability to bear children.
God changed her name from Sarai (“contentious”) to Sarah (“princess”) when He reaffirmed His covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:15). This name change marked a pivotal shift in her identity and destiny. Sarah wasn’t merely Abraham’s wife; she was chosen by God to become “the mother of nations” with “kings of peoples” coming from her (Genesis 17:16), despite being well beyond childbearing years.
Sarah’s story reveals a complex woman of both tremendous faith and human frailty. Her journey teaches us about waiting on God’s timing, the dangers of taking matters into our own hands, and ultimately, God’s faithfulness despite our failures.
Sarah’s Journey of Faith: Key Bible Verses
God’s Promise to Sarah and Abraham
“God said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.'” (Genesis 17:15-16)
This profound moment marks God’s specific promise to Sarah. Notice how God addresses Abraham but speaks directly about Sarah’s destiny. The promise wasn’t just about a child; it encompassed nations and royalty descending from her womb—a womb that had been barren for decades.
“The Lord said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.'” (Genesis 18:10)
God’s promise comes with a timeline. When divine visitors appeared to Abraham, they announced a specific timeframe for the miracle. This wasn’t an open-ended promise but one with a defined fulfillment date, challenging both Abraham and Sarah to trust God’s word.
The Apostle Paul later referenced this promise in Romans 9:9: “For this is what the promise said: ‘About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.'” This New Testament connection shows how Sarah’s story forms an essential part of understanding God’s redemptive plan throughout Scripture.
Sarah’s Struggle with Barrenness
“Now Sarai was barren; she had no child.” (Genesis 11:30)
This simple, heartbreaking statement introduces us to Sarah’s core struggle. In ancient Near Eastern culture, barrenness carried not just emotional pain but often social shame. Scripture doesn’t romanticize Sarah’s journey; it begins with her deepest wound.
“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said to Abram, ‘Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.’ And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.” (Genesis 16:1-2)
Sarah’s attempt to “help” God fulfill His promise reveals her desperation. After years of waiting, she proposed a culturally acceptable but spiritually problematic solution. This moment of impatience created complications that would affect generations to come.
“The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him.” (Genesis 21:1-2)
Despite Sarah’s missteps, God remained faithful to His word. The emphasizing phrase “as he had promised” highlights God’s perfect reliability in contrast to Sarah’s wavering faith. This verse teaches us that God’s promises don’t depend on our perfect faith but on His perfect faithfulness.
Sarah’s Laughter and Doubt
“So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?'” (Genesis 18:12)
Sarah’s laughter reveals her internal struggle with God’s promise. It wasn’t joyful laughter but skeptical amusement at what seemed impossible. She assessed her situation from a purely human perspective—her worn-out body, her husband’s age—and found God’s promise laughable.
“The Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh and say, “Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?” Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.’ But Sarah denied it, saying, ‘I did not laugh,’ for she was afraid. He said, ‘No, but you did laugh.'” (Genesis 18:13-15)
God’s gentle rebuke of Sarah teaches us that He is aware of our private thoughts and doubts. Sarah’s fear-driven denial shows her recognition that she had underestimated God. Yet God doesn’t reject her for her doubt but reaffirms His promise while gently correcting her unbelief.
“By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.” (Hebrews 11:11)
The New Testament’s perspective on Sarah is striking. Despite her momentary doubt, she’s ultimately remembered for her faith. This verse suggests that Sarah moved from skepticism to trust, embracing God’s promise as the impossible became her reality.
Sarah’s Beauty and Protection
“When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, ‘I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, “This is his wife.” Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.'” (Genesis 12:11-13)
Sarah’s exceptional beauty became a source of danger in their journeys. This passage reveals that even in her sixties (based on the biblical timeline), Sarah possessed striking beauty. However, it also shows how Abraham’s fear led him to compromise Sarah’s dignity for his safety.
“But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, ‘Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.'” (Genesis 20:3)
When the “sister” deception was repeated years later with Abimelech, God Himself intervened to protect Sarah. This divine protection underscores Sarah’s importance in God’s covenant plan. Even when human schemes put her in vulnerable positions, God preserved her for His purposes.
Sarah as Mother of Isaac
“And Sarah said, ‘God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.’ And she said, ‘Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.'” (Genesis 21:6-7)
The woman who once laughed in disbelief now laughs with joy. Sarah’s words capture her wonder at God’s miracle. Her rhetorical question emphasizes the impossibility made possible through God’s power. The skepticism that once filled her heart has transformed into awe and gratitude.
“For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.” (Galatians 4:22-23)
Paul uses Sarah’s motherhood as a powerful allegory for grace versus law. Isaac, born of Sarah, represents God’s promise and grace, while Ishmael represents human effort. This New Testament interpretation elevates Sarah’s role from merely historical to theologically significant for understanding salvation.
Sarah’s Legacy in Scripture
Sarah in the New Testament
“For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.” (1 Peter 3:5-6)
Peter holds up Sarah as an exemplar of godly character for women. While modern readers might struggle with the emphasis on submission, the text highlights Sarah’s strength in “not fearing anything frightening”—a quality of courage and trust in God despite difficult circumstances.
“By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” (Hebrews 11:11-12)
Sarah’s inclusion in the “hall of faith” in Hebrews 11 confirms her spiritual legacy. The focus isn’t on her moments of doubt but on her ultimate trust in God’s faithfulness. Her faith, not her perfection, secured her place among the spiritual giants of Scripture.
Sarah’s Death and Burial
“Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.” (Genesis 23:1-2)
The specific recording of Sarah’s age and Abraham’s grief honors her significance. Few women in Scripture have their age at death and mourning specifically documented. This detailed account dignifies Sarah’s life and acknowledges her importance to both Abraham and God’s redemptive story.
“After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites.” (Genesis 23:19-20)
The extensive narrative of Abraham purchasing the burial plot (the only land he ever owned in the Promised Land) demonstrates his deep respect for Sarah. This location would later become the family tomb, where Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah would also be buried—a testament to Sarah’s foundational role in the covenant family.
Lessons from Sarah’s Life for Today’s Believers
Sarah’s journey offers profound wisdom for believers navigating their own faith walks:
- Faith doesn’t mean absence of doubt but perseverance despite it.
Sarah initially laughed at God’s promise, yet Hebrews commends her faith. This encourages us when we struggle with doubt. God doesn’t demand perfect faith; He honors the journey from skepticism to trust. When facing seemingly impossible situations, remember that questioning isn’t failing—it’s part of the growth process.
- God’s timeline rarely matches our expectations.
Sarah waited decades for God’s promise to materialize. In our instant-gratification culture, her story reminds us that God often works in seasons and processes rather than immediate results. Divine delays aren’t divine denials; they’re opportunities to develop patience and deeper trust.
- Taking matters into our own hands creates complications.
Sarah’s decision to offer Hagar to Abraham seemed practical but created lasting conflict. When waiting on God becomes uncomfortable, we’re often tempted to manufacture our own solutions. Sarah’s story cautions us against rushing ahead of God’s timing, even when His pace feels frustratingly slow.
- Age and circumstances don’t limit God’s power.
Sarah’s advanced age seemed to make God’s promise impossible. Yet God specifically chose this “impossible” situation to display His power. When you face situations beyond human solution—in health, relationships, or circumstances—remember that God often works most visibly when human capability ends.
Applying Sarah’s Story to Your Faith Journey
To personally benefit from Sarah’s example, consider these reflections:
- Identify your “barren” areas. What dream or promise seems impossible right now? Where has hope been deferred in your life? Name these places honestly before God.
- Notice where you’ve tried to “help God.” Like Sarah with Hagar, have you tried to force solutions to God’s promises? What consequences have resulted from rushing ahead of God’s timing?
- Embrace the waiting period. Sarah waited 25 years from God’s promise to its fulfillment. How might God be using your current waiting period to prepare you for His eventual blessing?
- Look for God’s protection even in messy situations. God protected Sarah even when Abraham’s fear put her in compromising positions. Where might God be protecting you, even in circumstances caused by others’ failures?
Prayer for Sarah-like Faith:
Lord, like Sarah, I face situations that seem impossible. Help me trust Your promises even when circumstances contradict them. Give me patience in waiting and wisdom to avoid manufacturing my own solutions. Thank You that You remain faithful despite my wavering faith. May I, like Sarah, ultimately be remembered not for my moments of doubt but for my journey toward trust. Amen.
Conclusion: Sarah’s Enduring Impact
Sarah’s journey from barrenness to blessing, from laughter of disbelief to laughter of joy, reminds us that God writes beautiful stories through imperfect people. Her legacy isn’t one of flawless faith but of a woman who wrestled with doubt yet ultimately embraced God’s promise.
Through Sarah, we learn that God’s purposes prevail despite human frailty. Her story encourages us to trust God’s seemingly impossible promises, wait for His perfect timing, and believe that He can bring life to our “dead” situations. Like Sarah, we may stumble in our faith journey, but God remains steadfastly committed to fulfilling His word in our lives.
The barren woman became the mother of nations—not through her perfect faith, but through God’s perfect faithfulness.