Genesis 17:15 - Name change, destiny transformed

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Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֶל־אַבְרָהָם שָׂרַי אִשְׁתְּךָ לֹא־תִקְרָא אֶת־שְׁמָהּ שָׂרָי כִּי שָׂרָה שְׁמָהּ׃

English Translation

And God said to Avraham, As for Saray thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Saray, but Sara shall her name be.

Transliteration

Vayomer Elohim el-Avraham Saray ishtecha lo-tikra et-shmah Saray ki Sarah shmah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֔ם שָׂרַ֣י אִשְׁתְּךָ֔ לֹא־תִקְרָ֥א אֶת־שְׁמָ֖הּ שָׂרָ֑י כִּ֥י שָׂרָ֖ה שְׁמָֽהּ׃

Parasha Commentary

The Change from Saray to Sara

The verse (Bereishit 17:15) describes Hashem commanding Avraham to change his wife's name from Saray to Sara. According to Rashi, the name Saray denotes "my princess," implying dominion over her husband alone, whereas Sara signifies "princess" universally—indicating she would become a princess over all people. This change reflects her elevated spiritual status and future role as the matriarch of Klal Yisrael.

Spiritual Transformation and Covenant

The Ramban explains that this name change parallels Avraham's own transformation from Avram to Avraham, signifying their joint inclusion in the covenant. Just as Avraham was granted a broader destiny (father of multitudes), Sara was elevated to become the mother of nations. The Talmud (Berachot 13a) teaches that a name change signifies a new divine decree, indicating Sara’s transition from barrenness to fertility.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 47:1) states that Sara’s name change was a reward for her righteousness, particularly her humility and unwavering faith in Hashem’s promise.
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch notes that the removal of the letter י (yud) from Saray to form Sara symbolizes the shift from a limited personal influence to a universal legacy.

Halachic Implications

The Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 129:20) discusses the significance of name changes in Jewish law, emphasizing that once a person’s name is altered by divine command (as with Sara), their spiritual identity is fundamentally transformed. This underscores the gravity of names in Jewish thought, as they reflect one’s essence and divine mission.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 13a

The verse is discussed in the context of the significance of name changes, particularly the change from Sarai to Sarah, and its implications for understanding divine promises and identity.

📖 Sanhedrin 107a

The verse is referenced in a discussion about the merits of Abraham and Sarah, and how their names were changed to signify their new roles in the divine plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did God change Sarai's name to Sarah?
A: According to Rashi, the name 'Sarai' meant 'my princess,' implying she was a princess only to Avraham. The name 'Sarah' means 'princess' to all people, signifying her elevated status as a mother of nations (Genesis 17:16). This change reflects her greater spiritual role in the covenant.

Q: What is the significance of changing a name in the Torah?
A: In Jewish tradition, a name change signifies a transformation in a person's spiritual identity or destiny. Rambam explains that names reflect essence, and when God changes someone's name (like Avram to Avraham or Sarai to Sarah), it marks a new divine mission or elevated status in their role in Jewish history.

Q: How is Sarah's name change connected to Avraham's covenant?
A: The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 47:1) teaches that Sarah's name change was part of the broader covenant in Genesis 17, where both Avraham and Sarah were given new names and roles. While Avraham became father of nations, Sarah became their mother, showing their partnership in building the Jewish people.

Q: Why does the Torah specify 'Sarai your wife' before announcing her new name?
A: Rashi explains that God emphasized 'your wife' to show that despite her new elevated status as Sarah, she remained Avraham's wife with unchanged marital holiness. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 22a) also notes this teaches that even after spiritual transformations, fundamental relationships remain sacred.

Q: What lesson can we learn from Sarah's name change today?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 13a) derives from this verse that calling someone by their proper name shows respect for their divine purpose. Just as God carefully chose Sarah's name, we learn to value each person's unique identity and potential in fulfilling their spiritual mission in the world.