Matriarch · Women of the Bible · Old Testament
The Story of Sarah
Also: Sarai, Sara (Kiswahili)
Wife of Abraham who, in old age, bore Isaac, the son God had promised.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
Sarai, Abram's wife, was barren. She travelled with him from Haran to Canaan and into Egypt. Genesis 11:29–30Genesis 12:5Genesis 12:11–15
God renamed her Sarah and promised she would bear a son. She laughed at the promise, yet bore Isaac in old age. She died at 127 and was buried at Machpelah. Genesis 17:15–19Genesis 18:10–15Genesis 21:1–7Genesis 23:1–2Genesis 23:19
Told in: Genesis
Life at a glance
- Husband
- Abraham Genesis 11:29
- Son
- Isaac Genesis 21:3
- Death
- At 127, in Hebron Genesis 23:1–2
Only what Scripture records. Where the Bible is silent, nothing is filled in.
Follow the life of Sarah
Events in the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here, or open the chapter in the reader.
Leaves Haran with Abram
Sarai goes with Abram to Canaan; in Egypt Abram calls her his sister and she is taken into Pharaoh's house until the LORD intervenes.
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People: Abraham
Gives Hagar to Abram
Childless, Sarai gives her servant Hagar to Abram; tension follows when Hagar conceives.
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People: Abraham
The promise and her laughter
Genesis 17:15–21 · Genesis 18:9–15
God renames her Sarah. When the visitors say she will have a son, she laughs to herself; the LORD asks whether anything is too hard for him.
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People: Abraham
Isaac is born
Sarah bears Isaac and says God has made her laugh; she has Hagar and Ishmael sent away.
Death and burial
Sarah dies at Hebron at 127; Abraham buries her in the cave of Machpelah.
Mentioned across the Bible
Later passages that recall, mention or interpret Sarah. These are not new events in the person’s lifetime.
Later recollection
- Isaiah 51:2 — Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you.
- Hebrews 11:11 — By faith Sarah received power to conceive.
Teaching or quotation mentioning them
Family and relationships
- AbrahamHusbandGenesis 11:29
- IsaacSonGenesis 21:3
- HagarConnected: Her mistress of SarahGenesis 16:1
Books associated with Sarah
- Genesis Their story appears here
A book named after someone is not necessarily written by them. Authorship traditions are shown as traditions.
Themes and study
Study prompts written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
FaithPromise
- What does the LORD ask in Genesis 18:14?
Stories and studies
- Abraham and Isaac Story
Sarah laughs at the promise and then gives birth to Isaac.
- Waiting Life situation
Sarah laughs at the promise after long waiting.
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