People of the Bible

Who Was Sarah in the Bible?

Sarah was the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac, who laughed at God's promise and then lived to see it kept, learning that nothing is too hard for the LORD.

Where to find Sarah: Genesis chapters 11 to 23, with her faith honored in Hebrews 11 and 1 Peter 3.

Sarah shared Abraham's long journey and his long wait. When told she would bear a son in old age, she laughed in disbelief, and God gently asked whether anything is too hard for Him. In time she held the child of the promise and named him Isaac, which means laughter.

Her story is honest about doubt and impatience, yet the New Testament remembers her faith, that she judged God faithful who had promised. Through Sarah the covenant line continued toward the whole nation and, at last, the Saviour.

Key verses

“Is any thing too hard for the LORD?”Genesis 18:14, King James Version

“Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.”Hebrews 11:11, King James Version

A key moment

Sarah, past ninety, cradles the son she was promised, and her disbelieving laughter turns to joy. God had made her laugh, and all who heard laughed with her.

What we learn

We learn that God is patient with our doubts and faithful to His word, and that His promises do not depend on what seems possible to us.

How Sarah points to Jesus

Sarah's impossible son, Isaac, is a link in the chain that leads to Jesus, the child of an even greater promise. The God who opened Sarah's barren womb is the God who brought life from the empty tomb.

Common questions

Where is Sarah in the Bible?

Genesis chapters 11 to 23, with her faith honored in Hebrews 11 and 1 Peter 3.

What can we learn from Sarah?

We learn that God is patient with our doubts and faithful to His word, and that His promises do not depend on what seems possible to us.

The same God who met Sarah is near to you today. Step inside The Living Bread to read the Scriptures, pray, and walk with the family of God.

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