Overview
Sarah, originally named Sarai, is the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac. Her story is woven through the Abraham narratives and centers on God’s promise that she would bear the son through whom the covenant line would continue.
Key Scripture
- Genesis 11:29–31
- Genesis 12
- Genesis 16
- Genesis 17:15–21
- Genesis 18:1–15
- Genesis 21:1–12
- Genesis 23
- Hebrews 11:11
- 1 Peter 3:5–6
Name and Promise
Genesis 17 records God changing Sarai’s name to Sarah and explicitly promising that she would bear a son. Isaac’s birth in Genesis 21 becomes the fulfillment of that promise.
Family
Sarah is Abraham’s wife and Isaac’s mother. Her household story also includes Hagar and Ishmael, whose presence creates tension in Genesis 16 and 21.
Death and Burial
Genesis 23 records Sarah’s death at Hebron and Abraham’s purchase of the cave of Machpelah as a burial place. The account is important both genealogically and geographically within the patriarchal narrative.
Research Notes
Methodology: Biblical. This profile follows the Genesis narrative directly. Chronological and archaeological questions concerning the patriarchal period should be treated separately and labeled according to the strength of available evidence.