Sarah
She laughed at an impossible promise — then named her son "he laughs".
Old Testament · c. 2000–1800 BC · Genesis, Hebrews, 1 Peter · Also known as Sarai, Mother of nations
About Sarah
Sarah travelled with Abraham from Ur to Canaan and shared his long wait for the son God promised. At about ninety, she overheard that she would have a child — and laughed. A year later she gave birth to Isaac, whose name means "he laughs." Her story holds real tension too: her harsh treatment of Hagar is recorded honestly.
In the ancient Near East, childlessness carried deep shame and insecurity, especially for women. Using a servant as a surrogate, as Sarah did with Hagar, was a known legal custom. Genesis doesn’t endorse the plan — it shows the pain it caused everyone involved.
The story
Barren
Her story begins with one stark line: "But Sarai was barren; she had no child." Then God promised Abram a great nation. Years passed. The promise stayed a promise.
Genesis 11:29-31
A complicated plan
After ten years in Canaan, Sarai gave her Egyptian servant Hagar to Abram to bear a child. When Hagar conceived, tension exploded. Sarai "dealt hardly with her," and Hagar fled.
Genesis 16:1-6
Sarah laughed
Listening at the tent door, she heard a visitor promise she would have a son. "Sarah laughed within herself." Then she denied it, afraid. "Nay; but thou didst laugh." And the question hung in the air: "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?"
Genesis 18:9-15
God hath made me to laugh
"Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken." They named him Isaac — "he laughs." "God hath made me to laugh," she said, "so that all that hear will laugh with me."
Genesis 21:1-7
Key moments
- No child: The pain behind the promise. (Genesis 11:30)
- Gives Hagar to Abram: A plan with consequences. (Genesis 16:3)
- Laughs at the promise: "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?" (Genesis 18:12-14)
- Isaac is born: "God hath made me to laugh." (Genesis 21:6)
Questions about Sarah
In meetBible these answers are given in Sarah’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
Why did you laugh?
Genesis gives my thought: "After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" I was about ninety. Then, afraid, I denied laughing — and was told, "Nay; but thou didst laugh." Later the laughter changed: "God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me."
How old were you when Isaac was born?
Genesis records Abraham asking, "Shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?" Isaac was born the following year, so I was about ninety. Hebrews says I "received strength to conceive seed… when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised."
Connected people
Read it yourself
Start with Genesis 18; 21.