Sari/sarah

Sarai, the mother of Israel, 2100-1996 B.C.

Sari's journey began around 1900 B.C. in the city of Ur in Sumeria about 140miles Southeast of the site of Old Babylon (Iraq). Sarai was the daughter of Terah and the wife of Abram who was Sarai's half-brother because they had the same father, but different mothers (Genesis 20:11-12) There was no law against marriage between relatives. They came through the line of Shem. All of Terah's children are important. The wives of Isaac and Jacob came directly from his family. Terah was quite wealthy. Sarai likely lived in a brick house with servants. Ur was multicultural and the religion was Super-Monotheism. The permanent Father-God of the Semites sustained Babylon for centuries.

Terah first moved the family from Ur to a city in northern Mesopotamia called Haran. (Road)It was the cross-road of a trade route that went to Damascus. Sari was about to be a tent dweller It most have been dramatic for Sari to follow her husband through the Negev desert. There were hundreds of people in their caravan, evidenced by Abram taking 318 trained men to rescue problematic Lot. (Genesis 14:14)

Hagar was one of Sarai's Egyptian slaves. Sarai was barren, a recurrent theme in the Bible. This theme emphasizes the sovereignty of God. Only God can produce offspring. When Sarai was old and God's promise had not been fulfilled, she decided to give Hagar to Abram so he could father a child. He was 86 when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram. Thirteen years later, God again renewed His covenant with Abram and Sarai and renamed them Abraham and Sarah. The 'ah' is meaningful as Sarah became the mother of Israel. Angels came to announce Sarah would have a son. A son was preferred over a daughter because he would remain with his mother's house, bring his wife and children, and provide security for the elderly parents until their death. After Isaac's birth, Sarah was ready to rid the family of Hagar and Ishmael. Abraham was not pleased, but told them to do whatever Sarah told them to do.

Sarah lived 127 years and died at Kireatharba (Hebron) in the land of Canaan. She is the only woman in the Bible whose age at death is recorded. Abraham purchased the Cave of Machpelah from the Hittites for her burial place. Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob and Leah are also buried there. Today a mosque stands over the site. All 12 tribes of Israel came through Sarah and Abraham.