Who was Sarah?
Genesis 21:1-7
1 Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised.
2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.
3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him.
4 When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him.
5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
6 Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”
7 And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”
New International Version (NIV)
The answer
Sarah was Abraham’s wife, Isaac’s mother, and one of the great matriarchs of Israel. God made her a mother miraculously in old age and brought the promised covenant line through her son.
- Her name and calling: She was originally called Sarai, but God changed her name to Sarah. He promised to bless her, make her “a mother of nations,” and bring kings from her descendants (Genesis 17:15-16).
- Her promised son: Although Sarah was ninety and long past childbearing age, God promised that she would bear Isaac and that His everlasting covenant would continue through Isaac’s offspring (Genesis 17:17-21). She initially laughed at the promise, but God answered, “Is anything too hard for Yahweh?” (Genesis 18:11-14).
- God kept His word: Sarah conceived and bore Isaac when Abraham was one hundred years old. Her earlier incredulous laughter became joyful laughter: “God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me” (Genesis 21:1-7).
- Her faith and legacy: Hebrews honours her among the faithful because she “counted him faithful who had promised” and received power to conceive. Through her came descendants as numerous as the stars (Hebrews 11:11-12). She is also remembered among the holy women who hoped in God and respected her husband (1 Peter 3:5-6).
Sarah died at Hebron in Canaan at 127 years old, and Abraham mourned and wept for her (Genesis 23:1-2).
Answered from Scripture · reviewed November 12, 2026
Scripture cited
- Genesis 21:1-7
- Genesis 17:19
- Galatians 4:23
- Genesis 17:15-22
- Genesis 18:9-15
- Genesis 23:1-2
- Hebrews 11:11-12
- 1 Peter 3:5-6