And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.

GENESIS 17:15KJV
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Genesis 17:15 (KJV)

What does Genesis 17:15 mean?

Genesis 17:15 records God telling Abraham that his wife’s name should no longer be Sarai, but Sarah. This marks a significant moment where God gives Sarai a new name, signaling a new role or identity in His promises.

In this verse, God (speaking directly to Abraham) addresses a change in Sarai’s status by renaming her. The context is a larger conversation where God is establishing a covenant with Abraham, promising descendants and blessings. Changing Sarai’s name to Sarah is a sign that she, too, is included in these promises and will play a key part in what God is about to do.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 17:15

  • שָׂרַי (Sarai, Sarai): This name is often understood as “my princess,” with a personal or possessive sense.
  • שָׂרָה (Sarah, Sarah): This new name means “princess” or “noblewoman,” but without the possessive “my.” The shift suggests a broader role, not just for Abraham’s family but for nations.
  • קָרָא (qara, call): The instruction not to “call” her Sarai anymore emphasizes a deliberate change in identity and status, not just a casual nickname.

Why Genesis 17:15 matters

  • Genesis 17:15 clarifies that God’s covenant and promises are not just for Abraham but also directly involve Sarah, highlighting her importance in the unfolding story.
  • The change from Sarai to Sarah signals a shift from a personal, family-centered role to a wider, more public one—she will become the mother of nations, not just Abraham’s household.
  • This verse connects closely to the surrounding passage, where God is making foundational promises about descendants and blessing, showing that both Abraham and Sarah are central to God’s plan.

Where else these words appear

“Sarai” Hebrew H8297 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 11:29 And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
  • Genesis 12:11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:
  • Genesis 16:3 And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

“Sarah” Hebrew H8283 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
  • Genesis 18:15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
  • Genesis 21:9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.

“but” Hebrew H3588 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
  • Exodus 23:9 Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
  • Joshua 2:24 And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.