Genesis 17:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Let us now present to you the remnants of yesterday's discourse and conclude with the message of blessing and assurance that the God of all humanity bestowed upon our forefather. When you hear about these remnants, do not misconstrue them as something carnal; the remnants of a spiritual feast differ vastly from ordinary food leftovers. Physical food, once it loses its freshness, becomes unappealing to those who consume it, and if left uneaten for a day or two, it is rendered completely worthless. In contrast, spiritual remnants maintain their inherent value regardless of the time elapsed; they continuously offer the same blessings and do not diminish in appeal.

Those who believe that the name Sarah was initially spelled with one 'p' and later had another 'p' added are mistaken. They concoct various fanciful theories about her name, often based on the assumption of the Greek language, despite the fact that its origin lies in Hebrew. When assigning a name in one language, the roots should come from that same language, not another. Originally, Sarai (שָׂרַ֣י) was formed using the letters sin, res, and iod. Subsequently, the iod (representing the sound 'i') was changed to he, rendering her name Sara (שָׂרָָ֖ה). This alteration was due to her transition from being called 'my chief,' as she was the leader of one household, to simply ‘chief’ in a universal context, denoted as ἄρχουσα.

Prior to her husband's circumcision, Sarah was granted a significant blessing, and by the mere addition of a single letter to her name, she was endowed with the highest virtues and divine favor.

And God spoke to Abraham, saying, You shall not refer to your wife Sarah as simply Sarah, but her name shall be Princess, indicating that you are no longer to designate her with a title that reflects a limited view of her role. She is not just the head of your household; she is a leader in her own right—specifically, the mother of all women who walk in faith. In this light, when the esteemed Apostle Peter reminded the Gentile women believers of the virtues of humility, purity, and modesty, he honored our matriarch Sarah, stating: Thus, Sarah followed Abraham, referring to him as lord. You are her descendants if you perform good deeds and remain unafraid (1 Pet. 3:6).

At the age of thirteen, Ishmael witnessed God’s renewed promise to Abraham, who was now 99 years old: “You shall be,” proclaimed the Lord, “the father of many nations” (Gen. 17:4). In that moment, He transformed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning the father of many. Similarly, He changed Sarai’s name to Sarah, which signifies the mother of many. Despite being ninety years old, the Lord assured her that her barrenness would end and she would bear a son, Isaac, from whom a great nation would arise.

The first name of Abraham's wife in Hebrew is pronounced Sarai (שרי), while her second name is rendered as Sarah (שרת). Jerome's interpretation (Trad. Heb.) suggests that the first name means "my mistress," indicating the lady of the house, while the second term conveys a broader notion of mistress. However, when considering the name in the context of Abraham, Sarah can be understood as anlaming "mistress of the multitude," derived from שרת המון Sarafgamon.

This narrative recounts the transformation of Sarah's name and the miraculous birth of Isaac. In Genesis 17:15, God instructs Abraham, "Sarah thy wife shall not be called Sarah, but Sarah shall be her name." Following the establishment of circumcision, the Lord discloses to Abraham, alongside the promise of descendants, that these descendants will come from Sarah. Thus, as ‘Abram’ becomes ‘Abraham’ as a sign of the steadfast promise of numerous nations arising from him, so too is his wife given a new designation for the same purpose. From this point onward, she is no longer to be referred to as ‘Sarah,’ meaning ‘my mistress,’ signifying the matron of Abraham's household. Instead, she shall be called ‘Sarah,’ which translates to ‘mistress’ in a broader sense, denoting the matron of many tribes and sovereigns that will descend from her, as is detailed in the subsequent passages.