Genesis 17:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And God {H430} said {H559} unto Abraham {H85}, As for Sarai {H8297} thy wife {H802}, thou shalt not call {H7121} her name {H8034} Sarai {H8297}, but {H3588} Sarah {H8283} shall her name {H8034} be.

Complete Jewish Bible

God said to Avraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you are not to call her Sarai [mockery]; her name is to be Sarah [princess].

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.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Genesis 17:15, God sovereignly renames Sarai to Sarah, a pivotal moment that profoundly transforms her identity, purpose, and destiny within the unfolding of His covenant plan for Abraham and his descendants. This divine act not only underscores God's absolute authority but also His unwavering intention to fulfill His promises, particularly concerning the miraculous birth of Isaac and the establishment of a multitude of nations and kings through her.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a profound and expansive reaffirmation of God's covenant with Abraham in [Genesis 17](/genesis/17 "Genesis 17 - The Covenant of Circumcision"). Preceding this specific renaming of Sarai, God had already initiated a significant transformation by changing [Abram's name to Abraham](/genesis/17-5 "Abram's Name Change to Abraham"), signifying his new role as "father of a multitude." The renaming of Sarai immediately follows this, demonstrating that God's covenant promises extend to both patriarch and matriarch, emphasizing their joint participation in the divine plan. The subsequent verses (e.g., [Genesis 17:16-19](/genesis/17-16-19 "God's Promise of Isaac Through Sarah")) explicitly detail the promise of a son, Isaac, through Sarah, despite her advanced age and barrenness, making her renaming a direct precursor to this miraculous fulfillment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, names were not merely labels but often reflected a person's character, destiny, or a significant event. A change of name, especially when initiated by a deity or a king, signified a profound shift in identity, status, or purpose. For a woman, her status was often tied to her ability to bear children, particularly sons. Sarai's barrenness would have been a source of shame and a significant obstacle to the fulfillment of God's promise of numerous descendants for Abraham. God's act of renaming her, therefore, carries immense cultural weight, signaling a divine intervention that overrides human limitations and cultural expectations, establishing her as a matriarch of unparalleled significance.
* **Key Themes:** The renaming of Sarai contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates **God's transformative power and sovereignty**, demonstrating His ability to alter circumstances and identities to accomplish His will, even in the face of human impossibility (e.g., Sarah's advanced age and barrenness, as highlighted in [Genesis 18:11-12](/genesis/18-11-12 "Sarah's Laughter at the Promise of a Son")). It also underscores the **significance of names in biblical theology**, where a name change often marks a new covenant relationship, a new identity, or a new divine purpose, as seen with [Jacob's renaming to Israel](/genesis/32-28 "Jacob's Name Change to Israel"). Furthermore, this act reinforces **God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises**, showcasing His commitment to bring about the promised lineage through which salvation would ultimately come, a promise reiterated throughout the Old Testament and culminating in Christ (e.g., [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Seed of Abraham is Christ")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The renaming of Sarai to Sarah in Genesis 17:15 is a profound theological statement, signifying not merely a change of appellation but a divine conferral of a new identity and an expanded destiny, intrinsically linked to the unfolding of God's covenant.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This plural form, often used with the article as in this verse, refers to the supreme God. Its use here emphasizes the divine authority and omnipotence behind the name change, indicating that this is not a human decision but a decree from the sovereign Creator, the ultimate source of all identity and destiny.
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root signifies to speak or say, but with a wide latitude of meaning, including to command, appoint, or declare. In this context, it highlights the authoritative and declarative nature of God's pronouncement. It's not a suggestion but a divine decree that brings about a new reality, reflecting God's creative power through His word.
* **but (Hebrew, _kîy'_):** This particle, indicating causal relations, functions here as a strong adversative or emphatic conjunction. It introduces a direct contrast and a definitive redirection from the old name to the new. It underscores the certainty and finality of God's decision, signaling a decisive break from Sarai's past identity and a firm establishment of her new, divinely ordained future.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And God said unto Abraham,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine origin and authority of the pronouncement. It is God Himself who initiates this significant change, speaking directly to Abraham, the covenant partner, emphasizing the personal and relational nature of this divine act.
* **"As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai,"**: This segment marks a definitive cessation of the old identity. God explicitly forbids the use of the former name, "Sarai," indicating that her previous identity, perhaps limited in scope or associated with her barrenness, is now superseded by a new, divinely appointed one.
* **"but Sarah [shall] her name [be]."**: This is the pivotal declaration. The conjunction "but" (H3588, _kîy_) introduces the new, divinely ordained name, "Sarah." The emphasis is on the future and the new reality God is bringing into being. The name "Sarah" (שָׂרָה), meaning "princess" or "noblewoman," carries a broader, more universal connotation compared to "Sarai" (שָׂרַי), which is often interpreted as "my princess" or "my lady," suggesting a more limited, personal domain. This linguistic shift signifies her expanded role as the matriarch of nations, not just Abraham's personal princess.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Symbolism** through the act of renaming. In biblical narratives, a name change frequently symbolizes a profound transformation of identity, purpose, and destiny, often initiated by God Himself. Here, "Sarai" (my princess) symbolizes a limited, perhaps personal, or even barren identity, while "Sarah" (princess, noblewoman) symbolizes an expanded, universal, and fruitful destiny as the mother of nations. This symbolic act powerfully conveys God's sovereign power to redefine and empower individuals for His divine purposes. The **Contrast** between "Sarai" and "Sarah" is also a key literary device, highlighting the dramatic shift from a past state to a divinely ordained future. This juxtaposition emphasizes the radical nature of God's intervention and the new reality He is bringing forth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The renaming of Sarai to Sarah is a profound theological statement on God's active involvement in shaping human destiny and fulfilling His promises. It underscores that God's covenant is not merely with Abraham but extends to his lineage through Sarah, highlighting her indispensable role in the divine plan. This act demonstrates God's power to transcend human limitations, such as barrenness and old age, to bring about His supernatural purposes. It also establishes a pattern where God's renaming signifies a new identity and purpose, marking a transition from a former state to a divinely appointed future, filled with grace and promise.

* [Genesis 32:28](/genesis/32-28 "Jacob Renamed Israel") - God renames Jacob to Israel, signifying a new identity and a new relationship with God.
* [Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Peter's Confession and Jesus' Promise") - Jesus renames Simon to Peter, signifying his foundational role in the Church.
* [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ") - Believers are described as "new creations" in Christ, reflecting a spiritual renaming and transformation of identity.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The divine renaming of Sarai to Sarah serves as a powerful reminder that God is intimately involved in the lives of His people, often orchestrating transformative changes to align them with His grand purposes. Just as Sarah received a new name and a new destiny that transcended her human limitations and past experiences, believers today are invited into a similar spiritual transformation. Through faith in Christ, we are given a [new identity](/ephesians/2-10 "Created for Good Works in Christ Jesus"), no longer defined by our past failures or human inadequacies, but by our adoption as children of God. This passage encourages us to embrace God's sovereign hand in our lives, trusting that He can bring fruitfulness out of barrenness, hope out of despair, and a glorious future out of an uncertain present. Our true identity and ultimate purpose are found not in what we achieve or who we were, but in who God declares us to be in Christ, empowering us to live out the divine call upon our lives with faith and courage.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel limited or "barren," and how might God be inviting you to trust in His transformative power?**
* **How does understanding your "new identity in Christ" (e.g., adopted child, new creation) impact your daily life and sense of purpose?**
* **What "old names" or self-perceptions might God be calling you to relinquish in order to fully embrace the "new name" He has for you?**

### FAQ
**Why did God change Sarai's name to Sarah?**

Answer: God changed Sarai's name to Sarah to signify a profound shift in her identity and destiny within His covenant plan. Her new name, "Sarah" (שָׂרָה), means "princess" or "noblewoman" in a universal sense, reflecting her expanded role as the matriarch of many nations and kings, as explicitly promised in [Genesis 17:16](/genesis/17-16 "God's Promise to Sarah Regarding Sarah's Descendants"). This change underscored that her significance would extend far beyond Abraham's immediate household, impacting countless generations.

**What is the linguistic difference and significance between Sarai and Sarah?**

Answer: The name *Sarai* (שָׂרַי) ends with the Hebrew letter 'yod' (י), which can imply a possessive sense, often interpreted as "my princess" or "my lady," suggesting a limited or personal domain. The name *Sarah* (שָׂרָה) ends with the letter 'he' (ה), broadening the meaning to a more general "princess" or "noblewoman." This subtle linguistic shift signifies a transition from a limited, personal status to a more universal, divinely ordained matriarchal role, emphasizing her future as the mother of nations and kings.

**How does Sarah's renaming relate to God's covenant with Abraham?**

Answer: Sarah's renaming is intrinsically linked to God's covenant with Abraham, as it immediately precedes the explicit promise that she, despite her advanced age and barrenness, would miraculously bear the promised son, Isaac (see [Genesis 17:16-19](/genesis/17-16-19 "God's Promise of Isaac Through Sarah")). This act solidified her central and active role in the fulfillment of the covenant promise to make Abraham the "father of a multitude" and Sarah the "mother of nations," demonstrating God's sovereign power to bring about His promises through seemingly impossible circumstances.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The renaming of Sarai to Sarah, and her subsequent miraculous fruitfulness, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Christ. Just as Sarah, a barren woman, was divinely enabled to become the mother of a physical lineage through whom the Messiah would eventually come, so too, through Christ, humanity, spiritually barren and unable to produce righteousness on its own, is made fruitful by God's transformative power. The new identity conferred upon Sarah foreshadows the [new creation](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ") status granted to believers in Christ, where our old identity "in Adam" is replaced by a new identity "in Christ" (cf. [Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "New Life in Christ")). Sarah's transformation from a limited "my princess" to a universal "princess" powerfully prefigures the universal scope of God's redemptive plan in Christ, extending salvation, new life, and spiritual fruitfulness to all who believe, regardless of their background, making them part of the true "seed" of Abraham through faith (as explained in [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Heirs According to the Promise")). Through Christ, the promise of a multitude of descendants, once physical, becomes spiritual, encompassing a global family of believers who inherit the blessings of Abraham.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 12:25

And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

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.

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.