Bible Word Study
Σάρρα
sarra · Sarah
Σάρρα
Sarah
Definition
Σάρρα is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Sarah, meaning 'princess' or 'noblewoman.' In the New Testament, she is exclusively identified as the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac, fulfilling God's covenant promise (Romans 4:19, Romans 9:9). Her story is cited as an example of faith, as she believed God's promise of a son despite her old age (Hebrews 11:11). She is also presented as a model of wifely submission and holy conduct, whom Christian women are encouraged to emulate (1 Peter 3:6).
Biblical Usage
The name Σάρρα is used four times in the New Testament, always in reference to the matriarch from Genesis. It appears in theological arguments about faith and God's covenant promises in Romans and Hebrews, and as an ethical example for wives in 1 Peter. Each usage draws directly from her Old Testament narrative to illustrate New Testament teachings.
Etymology
The Greek Σάρρα (Sarra) is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew שָׂרָה (Śārâ), which means 'princess,' 'noblewoman,' or 'chieftainess.' The name was changed by God from Sarai to Sarah in Genesis 17:15 as part of the covenant establishment. The Greek form preserves the meaning and significance of the original Hebrew name.
Semantic Range
Sarah is a pivotal figure in the theology of promise and faith. Her miraculous conception of Isaac (Romans 9:9) demonstrates God's power to fulfill His covenant despite human impossibility. In Hebrews 11:11, she is commended for her faith, making her a key part of the 'hall of faith.' In 1 Peter 3:6, her respectful submission to Abraham is presented as a model for Christian conduct, linking her to the concept of a 'holy woman.' Understanding her Greek name connects her directly to these foundational New Testament teachings on covenant, faith, and godly living. In the ancient patriarchal culture, a woman's primary value was often tied to her ability to bear children, particularly sons. Sarah's decades of barrenness (Genesis 11:30) would have been a source of profound shame and social stigma. God's intervention to give her a son in old age radically overturned these cultural expectations, demonstrating that His promises transcend human social norms and biological limitations. Her title 'princess' also signifies her elevated status as the matriarch of the covenant people. None directly applicable, as Σάρρα is a proper name.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). Concordance and morphology data are derived from the interlinear Bible.
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]