Genesis 17:15
New International Version
God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah.

New Living Translation
Then God said to Abraham, “Regarding Sarai, your wife—her name will no longer be Sarai. From now on her name will be Sarah.

English Standard Version
And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.

Berean Standard Bible
Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai, for her name is to be Sarah.

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

New King James Version
Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.

New American Standard Bible
Then God said to Abraham, “As for your wife Sarai, you shall not call her by the name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.

NASB 1995
Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.

NASB 1977
Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.

Amplified Bible
Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai (my princess), but her name will be Sarah (Princess).

Christian Standard Bible
God said to Abraham, “As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai, for Sarah will be her name.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
God said to Abraham, “As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai, for Sarah will be her name.

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

Contemporary English Version
Abraham, from now on your wife's name will be Sarah instead of Sarai.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God said to Abraham, "Don't call your wife by the name Sarai anymore. Instead, her name is Sarah [Princess].

Good News Translation
God said to Abraham, "You must no longer call your wife Sarai; from now on her name is Sarah.

International Standard Version
God told Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you are not to call her Sarai any longer, because her name is to be Sarah.

Majority Standard Bible
Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai, for her name is to be Sarah.

NET Bible
Then God said to Abraham, "As for your wife, you must no longer call her Sarai; Sarah will be her name.

New Heart English Bible
God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but her name will be Sarah.

Webster's Bible Translation
And God said to Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.

World English Bible
God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but her name shall be Sarah.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And God says to Abraham, “Sarai your wife—you do not call her name Sarai, for Sarah [is] her name;

Young's Literal Translation
And God saith unto Abraham, 'Sarai thy wife -- thou dost not call her name Sarai, for Sarah is her name;

Smith's Literal Translation
And God will say to Abraham, Sarai, thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, for Sarah her name.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
God said also to Abraham: Sarai thy wife thou shalt not call Sarai, but Sara.

Catholic Public Domain Version
God said also to Abraham: “Your wife Sarai, you shall not call Sarai, but Sarah.

New American Bible
God further said to Abraham: As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah.

New Revised Standard Version
God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then God said to Abraham, As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, for Sarah is her name.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I shall bless her, and also I shall give to you a son from her, and I shall bless him and he shall be for the nations, and Kings of the nations shall be from him.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And God said unto Abraham: 'As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And God said to Abraam, Sara thy wife - her name shall not be called Sara, Sarrha shall be her name.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant of Circumcision
14But if any male is not circumcised, he will be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.” 15Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai, for her name is to be Sarah. 16And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.”…

Cross References
Genesis 18:10-14
Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent. / And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. / So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” ...

Genesis 21:1-3
Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised. / And Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore to him.

Romans 4:19-21
Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. / Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, / being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.

Hebrews 11:11-12
By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised. / And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

Galatians 4:22-23
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.

Genesis 16:1-2
Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. / So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.

Genesis 12:2-3
I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 15:4-5
Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.” / And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.”

Genesis 22:17-18
I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. / And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

Genesis 24:60
And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”

Isaiah 51:2
Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him.

Romans 9:7-9
Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. / For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

1 Peter 3:6
just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear.

Genesis 25:21-26
Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. / But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So Rebekah went to inquire of the LORD, / and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” ...

Genesis 30:22-24
Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb, / and she conceived and gave birth to a son. “God has taken away my shame,” she said. / She named him Joseph, and said, “May the LORD add to me another son.”


Treasury of Scripture

And God said to Abraham, As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.

As.

Genesis 17:5
Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

Genesis 32:28
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

2 Samuel 12:25
And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

Sarah.

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Abraham Longer Sarah Sarai Sar'ai Wife
Genesis 17
1. God renews the covenant with Abram,
5. and changes his name to Abraham, in token of a greater blessing.
9. Circumcision is instituted.
15. Sarai's name is changed to Sarah, and she is blessed.
17. Isaac is promised, and the time of his birth fixed.
23. Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised.














Then God said to Abraham
This phrase marks a divine communication, emphasizing the direct interaction between God and Abraham. The Hebrew root for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which conveys not just speaking but also commanding or declaring. This highlights the authority and intentionality behind God's words. In the context of Genesis, God’s communication with Abraham is pivotal, as it establishes a covenantal relationship that is foundational to the narrative of the Israelites. The personal nature of this communication underscores the intimate relationship God desires with His chosen people.

As for Sarai your wife
Here, God specifically addresses Sarai, Abraham's wife, indicating her integral role in the unfolding of His divine plan. The name "Sarai" in Hebrew means "my princess," which reflects her esteemed position in Abraham's household. By addressing her directly, God acknowledges her importance not only as Abraham's partner but also as a matriarch in the covenantal promise. This phrase sets the stage for a significant transformation in her identity and role.

do not call her Sarai
This command signifies a transition from her past identity to a new one. The act of renaming in biblical times often symbolized a change in destiny or purpose. By instructing Abraham not to call her Sarai, God is indicating that her previous identity is being transformed to align with His divine purposes. This reflects a broader biblical theme where God redefines individuals to fulfill His promises, as seen with Abram to Abraham and Jacob to Israel.

for her name will be Sarah
The name "Sarah" means "princess" or "noblewoman," signifying an elevation in status and purpose. This change from "Sarai" to "Sarah" is not merely a linguistic alteration but a prophetic declaration of her future role as the mother of nations. In the Hebrew tradition, names carry profound significance, often reflecting character and destiny. By renaming her Sarah, God is affirming her crucial role in the Abrahamic covenant, as she will bear Isaac, through whom the covenantal promises will be fulfilled. This renaming is a testament to God's sovereignty and His ability to transform and use individuals for His divine purposes.

(15) Sarai.--Probably princely, an adjective of the same form as shaddai, Genesis 17:1; while Sarah means princess. The change of name shows that she was admitted to the covenant. (Comp. Genesis 17:10.)

Verse 15. - And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, - who, not having hitherto been mentioned in any of the promises, is now expressly taken into covenant, and accordingly receives a new name (cf. Ver. 5; Genesis 32:28; Revelation 3:12) - thou shalt not call her name Sarai, - "my princess" (Gesenius); "princely, noble" (Ikenins, Rosenmüller, Keil, Delitzsch); "the heroine" (Knobel); "strife, contention" (Ewald, Murphy), with special reference to her struggle against sterility. (Kalisch) - but Sarah "princess" (Gesenius), the meaning being that, whereas formerly she was Abram's princess only, she was henceforth to be recognized as a princess generally, i.e. as the mother of the Church (Jerome, Augustine), or as princess to the Lord, the letter A being taken from the name Jehovah, as in the change of Abram into Abraham (the Rabbis); though Ikenius and Rosenmüller derive from an Arabic root, sara, to have a numerous progeny - shall her name be.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then God
אֱלֹהִים֙ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

said
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Abraham,
אַבְרָהָ֔ם (’aḇ·rā·hām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

“As for Sarai
שָׂרַ֣י (śā·ray)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8297: Sarai -- a wife of Abram

your wife,
אִשְׁתְּךָ֔ (’iš·tə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

do not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

call
תִקְרָ֥א (ṯiq·rā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

her Sarai,
שָׂרָ֑י (śā·rāy)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8297: Sarai -- a wife of Abram

for
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

her name [is to be]
שְׁמָֽהּ׃ (šə·māh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

Sarah.
שָׂרָ֖ה (śā·rāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8283: Sarah -- 'princess', a wife of Abraham


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OT Law: Genesis 17:15 God said to Abraham As for Sarai (Gen. Ge Gn)
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