In the book of Genesis, shortly after Ishmael is born, God reaffirms His promise to Abraham and changes Sarai’s name to Sarah: “And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.” (Genesis 17:15, KJV)
Ever since this name change, scholars have discussed why this was done.
The standard (and what appears to be the majority) view is that the name change reflects Sarah’s broader role in the covenant. Here is how the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology explains it:
A fairly standard interpretation of the meaning of the two names, Sarai (שרי) and Sarah (שרה), is that they center around the root word sar (שר), meaning “prince” (or similarly, “chief,” “leader” or “captain”). This seems logical—and in this “debate,” interpretation of the name Sarah is straightforward. It is the feminine form (with the -h, ה ending) of the masculine sar (שר), thus representing the Semitic/Hebrew word meaning “princess.”
In the Hebrew language, a -y (י) ending can signify possession—“my [something].” Thus, a common interpretation of the original name of the matriarch, Sarai (שרי), is “my princess.” As such, a common explanation for the name change is that, in the context of Abraham becoming a father of many nations (verse 5), Sarai went from being Abram’s personal princess to simply being referred to more generically as “princess”—a princess not just of Abraham personally, but of many.
“What Does the Name ‘Sarai’ Really Mean?” by Christoper Eames (12/21/22) — Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology
According to this view, the change reflects the expansion of God’s promise from a single family to a multitude of nations through Sarah’s offspring, aligning with God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:15-16).
Another viewpoint emphasizes the apparent transformative aspect of the name change with the addition of the letter “h” in Sarah’s name. Might this represent an allusion to God’s name, Yahweh? If so, this name alteration emphasizes that Sarah is now part of God’s chosen people with a specific role in His redemptive plan.
It’s also true that the name change from Sarai to Sarah highlights God’s authority and intervention in human affairs. In renaming Sarai, God exercises His sovereign power to establish His divine purposes. It serves as a reminder that God is actively involved in the lives of His people, orchestrating events according to His will.
And given the significance of naming in the Bible, it confirms God’s authority over both Abraham and Sarah — and (by their obedience) their allegiance to Him.
What is clear is that Sarah is an integral figure in the lineage leading to the birth of Isaac and ultimately to Jesus Christ. And, despite her flaws and mistakes, she is hailed as an example of great faith in Hebrews 11.
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