Biography of Sarah

Sarah, originally known as Sarai, was born around the 19th and 20th centuries b.c. (Deen
8), living for one hundred and twenty seven years. She resided in many places throughout her life
as she and her husband traveled. Her husband, Abraham, was promised great things by God that
required journeying. Throughout their travels, there are four notable places visited by the couple.
First, Haran was one of their original homes. Next, while stopping in Egypt and Gerar, they acted
as siblings so Abraham could avoid ill-treatment. Canaan was land that would belong to future
generations. Last, she was buried in the cave of Macpelah. Future generations were secured by
the covenant Abraham, initially named Abram, had with God. God promised that Abram and
Sarai would be the parents of a great nation, changing their names later on to signify the gravity
of their loyalty. Their child would be the beginning of a long line of success. Since Sarah's age
outdated her ability to bear children, she gave Abraham Hagar, an Egyptian slave. This resulted
in Ishmael. Isaac, Sarah's own child, was born when she was ninety one years old. The pride of
her life, Isaac would go on to do many great things. Sarah had genuine qualities that aided her in
times of struggle, is a well-respected as a woman of faith, has relatable imperfections like
ordinary people, and led a unique relationship with God.
Her life was that of faith, loyalty, and bravery. Throughout the difficulties she faced
alongside Abraham, these three values played an important role. First, it was the faith of
Abraham that began their journeys, yet it was the faith of Sarah that bore Isaac. In the time of
Sarah, women's whole life surrounded their children. Their status and purpose were determined
by their husbands, but more importantly, their sons. The inability to have children was a
heartbreaking realization. However, she stayed faithful to God's plan, trusting that He would

provide her a son. When she gave Hagar, her slave girl, to Abraham as a second wife, Sarah
hoped of having the son she had always dreamed of. These hopes were met with disappointment,
since Ishmael was not the child God had in mind. When Hagar acted contemptuous towards her,
Sarah handled the situation strictly. Finally, thanks to her persistent faith, Sarah was given her
miracle; Isaac.
Not only that, but her loyalty to her husband and God is a trait highly revered. While
living in Egypt and Gerar, Abraham thought to pass Sarah off as his sister. Abraham knew that
Sarah's great beauty would tempt the leaders of these places and that their marriage status, if
known, would cause him harm. The Pharaoh and King attempted just what Abraham predicted.
They spotted Sarah right away, scooping her up into their harems. Throughout all this
uncertainty, Sarah stayed loyal to Abraham, returning to him when the truth was exposed and
leaving with him to next place of settlement. No matter what struggles Sarah faced, from the
inability to have children to Hagar to lying about her husband, Sarah held her head high. Her
bravery has been admired for centuries.
Sarah is the second woman of Genesis but takes on a leading role in the lineage of the
nation and image of the people. She was one of the first women to be portrayed as strong and
independent, since most women of the time had no say and no status outside the men in their
lives. One scholar noted that, "She never subjected herself to a lesser role, and Abraham never
demanded it" (Deen 10). In addition, Sarah gave hope to those women experiencing the inability
to have children. She was strong throughout the anxiousness experienced by a futureless mother,
trying everything possible to have a child of her own. Although Isaac was her reward, Sarah's life
before him was also significant. It proves that a woman does not have to have a child

immediately to determine her relationship with God and her status as a person. Women
experiencing the inability to have children can look to this woman of Genesis and know that they
are strong no matter what, but that miracles are still possible. Most of all, God said that, "...she
shall give rise to nations..." (New Revised Standard Version, Gen. 17. 16). Sarah was truly a
founder of the nation which continued on through Isaac. Her beauty, strength, and power have
been, and forever will be, respected.
I believe that Sarah is not only admired because of her great qualities, but that her more
negative sides of self play an important role. Although Sarah is brave, loyal, beautiful, and
powerful, she would be less appealing without her doubt, jealousy, and cruelty. This is because,
after all, Sarah is human. Humans are not perfect. Those imperfections are what makes her
relatable, what brings this honored woman down to the level of readers. Her better qualities stand
out that much more when you realize what temptations she overcame. When Hagar was unkind
to Sarah, Sarah reprimanded her harshly. Although this was a negative event, it shows that Sarah
can act on blind jealousy, like many people throughout the world have experienced. When Sarah
traveled through Egypt and Gerar with her husband, she helped him to lie to the rulers. They
acted as siblings, which was a half truth. Nevertheless, Sarah was capable of lying. However, this
action was to protect someone she loved. Throughout all those shortcomings, God always
supported Sarah. It tells us that imperfections are acceptable if we strive for good.
Sarah was well respected by God as a woman of faith. Although, her relationship with
God was definitely unique. She was not always fully trusting of God, first of all. Sarah was too
old to have children. When He said that Abraham would be the father of a great nation, Sarah
made her slave, Hagar, a second wife of Abraham so that the child would be born. She was in

disbelief when God announced that, instead of Hagar's child, Sarah would have Isaac at the age
of ninety one. Nevertheless, "Sarah's importance in God's scheme means that God will have zero
tolerance of skepticism from her" (Women in Scripture 151). Even with God's respect, Sarah is
not always favored. Although her faith did waiver from time to time, God trusted Sarah's
decisions. When Sarah asked Abraham to banish Hagar and Ishmael, Abraham was hesitant.
However, God declared, "...whatever Sarah says to you; do as she tells you..." (Gen. 21. 12). God
had faith in Sarah even when Sarah occasionally lost confidence in God. Because of the time
period's ways of life, women were still unequal to men. Even Sarah was not an exception,
although she was more respected than many. Yes, she was given more freedom than most, yet she
was still a woman.
This woman of Genesis was well-respected, proving herself through her loyalty and
bravery. She stuck by Abraham's side throughout her life, "...not as his shadow but as a strong
influence" (Deen 9). Through all the difficulties a childless woman has to bear to journeying
through foreign lands, Sarah held her head high and persisted on. With these admirable qualities,
Sarah also showed her human side, making her a more relatable and appealing figure to the rest
of the world. Because she was imperfect herself, her relationship with God was also unique. She
sustained her faith through occasional doubt while He kept faith in her. Because she was a
woman, Sarah could not reach the full caliber of respect that she has achieved now. However, no
matter her gender, Sarah was a well-rounded person who worked tirelessly to establish what we
know today.

Works Cited
Deen, Edith. All of the Women of the Bible. San Francisco: HarperOne, 1988. Print.
New Revised Standard Version Bible. New York: American Bible Society, 1989. Print.
"Sarah." Women in Scripture. Cambridge: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2000. Print.