Sarah means “princess”. Sarah was called Sarai before her name was changed by God.
Sarai was Abram’s half-sister and she married Abram when they lived in Ur. Sarai was a beautiful woman and on two occasions as their household was traveling, Abram passed her off as his sister in fear of being murdered by kings who wanted to take her. In each case, God protected Sarai.
Though promised a child by God, Abraham and Sarah remained childless for a long time. When Sarah was in her 70’s, she schemed and Abraham agreed that they would have children through Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian servant. Ultimately, this resulted in much strife within their household.
Later, however, in affirmation of God’s promise of offspring, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, Sarai’s name to Sarah. God announced that Sarah herself would have a child. Sarah thought it laughable that she could bare a child as an aged woman; nevertheless she had faith that God would fulfill His promise. At 90 years of age, she conceived and delivered the son of promise, Isaac. Sarah lived to age 127 years and was buried by Abraham in the cave of Machpelah in Canaan.
Key Verses: Genesis 11:29; 17:15-19; 18:10-15; 20:12; 21:1-3, 6,7; 8-10; 23:19 Galatians 4:22-31 Hebrews 11:11
