And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God doesn't just rename Sarai; He redefines her role by changing her name from "my princess" to simply "princess." This subtle shift signifies her new, expanded status as a matriarch not just of Abraham's household, but of a future multitude, underscoring her pivotal place in God's grander plan.
And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Fresh off confirming Abraham's covenant with circumcision, God declares that Sarai will also be part of this renewed covenant by giving her a new name. This renaming signifies her elevated status and the significant role she will play in God's plan to establish a nation through Abraham. The immediate context is God's ongoing re-establishment of His covenant with Abraham, which includes promises of numerous descendants and a special relationship with God.
Names often carry deep meaning, reflecting who we are or who we are meant to be. What did Sarai's name reveal, and why was a change so significant?
Sarai's name, 'my princess,' implied a limited authority, perhaps just within Abraham's household. It highlighted her role as the primary woman in his life. But God was about to make her the mother of nations! Her new name, Sarah, meaning 'princess' without the possessive 'my,' signified this vast, divinely ordained destiny. It wasn't just a title change; it was a redefinition of her identity in light of God's unfolding plan.
God's promises were often accompanied by tangible signs. How did changing Sarai's name serve as a confirmation of His covenant?
In this chapter, God is establishing and sealing His covenant with Abraham. While Abraham's name was changed earlier (Genesis 17:5), now Sarai's name is also altered. This wasn't just a linguistic adjustment; it was a divine signpost pointing to the fulfillment of the covenant promises, specifically the promise of a child through her. Her new name, Sarah, broadened her scope from 'my princess' to simply 'princess,' aligning with her future role as the mother of a multitude. This name change acted as a visible seal, confirming that God was indeed establishing His covenant with them and would bring His promises to pass.
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shem · Hebrew Noun
A name given by God or humans that signifies a person's identity, character, or the divine calling placed upon their life. In Scripture, a name change often marks a transition in status, role, or a new phase in God's redemptive plan.
The change of Sarai's name to Sarah signifies her expanded role and divine calling as a mother of nations, marking a pivotal moment in God's covenantal plan.
c. 2000 BC— this verse
God establishes covenant with Abram
God makes a profound covenant with Abram, promising to make him a father of many nations and to give him land and numerous descendants. Abram's name is changed to Abraham, and his wife Sarai's name is changed to Sarah.
c. 1990 BC
Birth of Ishmael
Ishmael is born to Abraham and Hagar, Sarai's maidservant. This event occurs as a result of Abraham and Sarai's impatience in waiting for God's promised heir.
c. 1989 BC
Circumcision instituted
As a sign of the covenant, God commands Abraham and all males in his household to be circumcised. This includes Abraham himself, Ishmael, and all his servants.
c. 1989 BC
Birth of Isaac promised
God reaffirms the covenant and promises Abraham and Sarah that they will have a son, Isaac, within the next year. This son will be the heir through whom the covenant promises will be fulfilled.
Just as Jacob's name was changed to Israel to signify a new identity and destiny, Sarah's name change from Sarai marks a pivotal moment in her life and God's covenant plan.
Isaiah 54:1-3This passage echoes the promise of Sarah becoming a mother of nations, speaking of the barren woman who will burst forth with children, directly reflecting the fulfillment of God's promise to Sarah.
Luke 1:36-37Similar to how the angel announced that Elizabeth, also considered too old, would conceive, this highlights God's power to bring about His promises even when humanly impossible, mirroring the circumstances surrounding Sarah's conception.
Romans 4:19-21This passage reflects on Abraham's unwavering faith in God's promise, even when Sarah's womb was as good as dead, emphasizing the profound faith required to believe in a name change that signified an impossible future.
Revelation 3:12The promise of God writing the name of the new Jerusalem on believers and giving them a new name parallels the divine act of renaming Sarah, signifying a new status and role within God's redemptive history.
gillGenesis 17:15: "And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be."
And God said unto Abraham,.... After he had changed his name, and given him the covenant of circumcision: as for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah her name shall be; her former name Sarai signifies "my princess", or rather "princesses", being to him in the room of many, and better than ten thousand; yet only a princess to him, and in his…
clarkeGenesis 17:15: "And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be."
Thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah - See note on Genesis 17:5 .
God doesn't just rename Sarai; He redefines her role by changing her name from "my princess" to simply "princess." This subtle shift signifies her new, expanded status as a matriarch not just of Abraham's household, but of a future multitude, underscoring her pivotal place in God's grander plan.
Fresh off confirming Abraham's covenant with circumcision, God declares that Sarai will also be part of this renewed covenant by giving her a new name. This renaming signifies her elevated status and the significant role she will play in God's plan to establish a nation through Abraham. The immediate context is God's ongoing re-establishment of His covenant with Abraham, which includes promises of numerous descendants and a special relationship with God.
Fresh off confirming Abraham's covenant with circumcision, God declares that Sarai will also be part of this renewed covenant by giving her a new name. This renaming signifies her elevated status and the significant role she will play in God's plan to establish a nation through Abraham. The immediate context is God's ongoing re-establishment of His covenant with Abraham, which includes promises of numerous descendants and a special relationship with God.
"And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name." — God doesn't just rename Sarai; He redefines her role by changing her name from "my princess" to simply "princess." This subtle shift signifies her new, expanded status as a matriarch not just of Ab…
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Last reviewed October 2026