Women in the Bible

Sarah/Sarai

Genesis 11:29-13:1; 16:1-18:15; 20:2-21:12; 23:1-2, 19; 24:36; 25:10, 12; 49:31; Isaiah 51:2; Romans 4:19, 9:9; Hebrews 11:11; 1 Peter 3:6

• Genesis 11:29-30 Abram and Nahor took wives; the name of Abram’s wife was Sarai…Now Sarai was barren; she had no child.

• Genesis 18:13-14 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.”

• Hebrews 11:11 By faith, with Sarah’s involvement, he received power of procreation, even though he was too old, because he considered him faithful who had promised.

• 1 Peter 3:6 Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters as long as you do what is good and never let fears alarm you.

List of Reading & Resources:

Articles

• “A Feminist Lens on the Story of Sarah and Hagar” by Rabbi Ami Eilberg

• #MeToo in the Bible: Sarah and Hagar’s Voices

• “Sarah in the Bible” by Rachael Gelfman Schultz on My Jewish Learning

• “A Mistress, a Maid, and No Mercy” by Renita Weems

• "Sarah, Abraham, and Pharaoh" by Hilary Lipka

• "Sex and Reproduction in Genesis" by Dora Mbuwayesango (video)

• "Sarah/Sarai: Bible" by Tikva Frymer-Kensky

• "Sarah: Midrash and Aggadah" by Tamar Kadari

• "Sarah" by Tammi J. Schneider

Books

• "Genesis" by Susan Niditch in Women’s Bible Commentary, edited by Carol A. Newsom and Sharon H. RInge (2012)

• Reconceiving Infertility: Biblical Perspectives on Procreation and Childlessness  by Joel Baden and Candida Moss (2015)

• "Romans" by Beverly Roberts Gaventa in Women's Bible Commentary, edited by Carol A. Newsom, Sharon H. Ringe, and Jacqueline E. Lapsley (2012)

• "Romans" by Elizabeth A. Castelli in Searching the Scriptures, Vol. 2: A Feminist Commentary, edited by Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza (1994)