Genesis 17:15-16
And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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God doesn't just give Sarai a new name, He redefines her status. While "Sarai" implies "my princess" – limited to Abraham's household – "Sarah" means "princess" in a broader, unrestricted sense, reflecting her future role as mother to nations. This subtle shift signifies a profound expansion of God's promise, moving beyond Abraham's immediate family to an abundant future.
After God reiterates His covenant with Abraham and establishes circumcision as its sign, He directly addresses Abraham about his wife, Sarai. God declares He will bless Sarai and that she will be the mother of nations, a significant promise that necessitates a change in her name, reflecting her new status and future role. This instruction immediately follows the establishment of circumcision, linking the covenant's sign to the lineage through which its promises will unfold.
Names carry weight, especially when given by God. Abraham and Sarah's names were about to reflect a new, expansive reality.
God's renaming of Sarai to Sarah wasn't just a cosmetic change; it was a profound declaration of her new identity and role.
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Being part of God's plan isn't just about being present; it's about being intimately included. Sarah's name change marked her full entry into the covenant promises.
Abraham's name was changed earlier (Genesis 17:5), signifying his full inclusion in the covenant. Now, Sarai's name change to Sarah signifies her direct and personal participation in the covenant promises, particularly the birth of a unique heir.
Understand the original words
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.
barak · Hebrew Verb
In the Bible, blessing primarily refers to the bestowal of divine favor, prosperity, and the enablement of life and fruitfulness, especially in the context of the covenant.
goy · Hebrew Noun
A social or political unit often defined by common descent, language, or territory; in Genesis, it frequently refers to the various people groups descending from the patriarchs.
melek · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting sovereignty, authority, and rule; in the Abrahamic context, it signifies the high status and royal influence of his descendants.
c. 2000 BC
Abraham called by God
God calls Abram (later Abraham) from Ur to go to a land He will show him, promising to make him a great nation.
c. 1990 BC
Covenant renewed with Abraham
God appears to Abram and renews the covenant promises, including numerous descendants and possession of the land.
c. 1900 BC— this verse
Names changed to Abraham and Sarah
God appears to Abram again, reiterating the covenant and changing his name to Abraham ('father of many nations') and his wife's name from Sarai ('my princess') to Sarah ('princess'). This signifies their new roles and the expansion of God's promises.
c. 1900 BC
Circumcision instituted as covenant sign
God establishes circumcision as the sign of the covenant for Abraham and all his male descendants.
Just as God changed Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's to Sarah to signify a new covenant identity, He renamed Jacob to Israel, highlighting a profound transformation and a renewed relationship with God.
Nehemiah 9:7This passage echoes the covenant God made with Abraham, emphasizing God's faithfulness and His choosing of Abraham, which directly relates to the foundational promises and name changes initiating this covenant.
Isaiah 62:4Similar to how Sarah's name change signified her new identity as a mother of nations, this verse speaks of God renaming His people to reflect a new, glorious status and divine favor.
Revelation 2:17The promise of a new name given to those who overcome in Revelation parallels the significance of Sarah's name change, illustrating that a new name often signifies a new, divinely appointed identity and relationship with God.
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 give Sarai a new name, He redefines her status. While "Sarai" implies "my princess" – limited to Abraham's household – "Sarah" means "princess" in a broader, unrestricted sense, reflecting her future role as mother to nations. This subtle shift signifies a profound expansion of God's promise, moving beyond Abraham's immediate family to an abundant future.
After God reiterates His covenant with Abraham and establishes circumcision as its sign, He directly addresses Abraham about his wife, Sarai. God declares He will bless Sarai and that she will be the mother of nations, a significant promise that necessitates a change in her name, reflecting her new status and future role. This instruction immediately follows the establishment of circumcision, linking the covenant's sign to the lineage through which its promises will unfold.
After God reiterates His covenant with Abraham and establishes circumcision as its sign, He directly addresses Abraham about his wife, Sarai. God declares He will bless Sarai and that she will be the mother of nations, a significant promise that necessitates a change in her name, reflecting her new status and future role. This instruction immediately follows the establishment of circumcision, linking the covenant's sign to the lineage through which its promises will unfold.
"And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of people…" — God doesn't just give Sarai a new name, He redefines her status. While "Sarai" implies "my princess" – limited to Abraham's household – "Sarah" means "princess" in a broader, unrestricted sense, refl…
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