Sarai, or “the princess,” was the half-sister and wife to Abraham, patriarch and Ancient Founding Father of Judaism (Genesis 20:12). Sarai is the most well-known Ancient Mother of Judaism and her marital rank marks an important cultural aspect of ancient Hebrew life because it demonstrated Sarai's elevated status.
While different Abrahamic faiths portray her differently, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all depict her character similarly, as that of a pious woman, renowned for her hospitality and beauty, the wife of Abraham, and the mother of Isaac.
Meaning "palace," "master," "princess," and "releaser," this endearing title is a pure expression of adoration and aspiration. Yet its depths extend far beyond mere beauty. Named for the wife of Abraham in the Old Testament, Sarai is also associated with faithfulness, resilience, and laughter in the face of great odds.
Having secured Isaac's position in the family, Sarah disappears from Genesis. She plays no role in the near sacrifice of Isaac. She dies at the age of 127 in Hebron (Gen 23:1–2). Abraham buys his first real property in the land of Israel, the Cave of Machpelah, in order to bury her (Gen 23:19).
WHO WAS SARAH IN THE BIBLE? THE STORY OF SARAH, ABRAHAM'S WIFE
Why did God change Sarai?
Now God tells Abraham that his wife Sarai's name is to be changed to Sarah. Both names apparently mean princess, though in the following verse God will call her the "mother of nations." While this seems like a slight change, it marks a significant new season in God's work in and through Sarah as well.
Earlier in Genesis 18, the Lord revealed to Sarah that she would bear a son even in her old age. But she knew that women of her age never had children, so she laughed to herself in disbelief. God responded by asking Abraham about Sarah's laughter.
All along the highways of medieval commerce in the Subcontinent, from the Eurasian Silk Road to the historic Grand Trunk Road, lay a series of rest-stops and inns where caravans of travellers, pilgrims and traders could break their journey. These were called caravanserais or simply sarai.
God brings judgment on Pharaoh and rescues Sarai. The diseases are so severe that when Pharaoh discovers what is going on, he does everything in his power to get Abram and Sarai to leave the country. Then he gave orders about Abram to his men and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.
Gen 17:15-19 This section contains God's instruction to Abraham to call his wife Sarah instead of Sarai. God promises to bless her and give her a son. Gen 17: 21-22 God promises to fulfil the covenant through the son, Isaac, that Sarah will bear in one year's time.
Sarah of the Old Testament, much like the Virgin Mary of the New Testament, was chosen by God to bear a son of the Spirit, due to her innocence, purity, faithfulness and steadfast love towards the Father. She will always be regarded as a justified saint whom God used because of her faithfulness.
There are a few women in the Bible who were noted for their beauty; Sarah, the wife of Abraham. Tamar, the daughter of David. Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and King David.
Matthew Poole's Commentary: “Sarai signifies my lady, or my princess, which confines her dominion to one family; but Sarah signifies either a lady or princess, simply and absolutely without restriction ….”
The idea that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had a child named Sara is a modern legend without support in historical or biblical texts. This narrative mainly appears in speculative fiction and alternative religious theories.
The character of Sarah in the Bible is an interesting one. We know a few things about her, namely, that she was the beautiful and beloved wife of Abraham, the mother of the nation of Israel, and the spiritual mother of all who believe in God.
In Genesis 12:10-12:20, Abram and his wife Sarai go to Egypt to flee a famine. Abram asks Sarai to pretend to be his sister so that the Pharaoh might reward Abram because of her. Abram's plan works, and when “the woman [Sarai] was taken to Pharaoh's palace,” Abram receives benefits from the Pharaoh.
The story here is that of an American girl, Sarai, who was handed off to a Mexican drug dealer at the age of fourteen by her own mother. Her life since then has been one filled with drugs, brutality, murder and slavery. She knows escape is futile – it would be suicide.
God did not punish Sarah because: God promised to bless Sarah, not curse her. Sarah and Abraham seem to have laughed in a sort of prophesy, because the name of their son would sound the same as the Hebrew word for laughter. God is merciful!
He has made laughter for her. The Lord did as He had promised. Sarah, now 90 years old, gives birth to Isaac, the long-awaited child. Her joy sours, though, over a fear that Isaac might have to share an inheritance with Ishmael.
What can we learn from Sarah's laughter in the Bible?
At last, the Lord opened her womb and Sarah laughed with joy, a true and profound joy because, incredibly, her dream has become real. The impossible has happened. She has become a mother and thus now she is a complete and fulfilled woman who is no longer ashamed in front of anyone.
Meaning: princess. A more casual, cute take on a regal tradition, Sari means "princess" in Hebrew. It's a derivative of the Hebrew name Sarah, who, as the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac, was the first matriarch in the Torah.
