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Genesis 17:16 - Sarah: Mother of nations?

Genesis 17:16 - בראשית 17:16

Hebrew Text

וּבֵרַכְתִּי אֹתָהּ וְגַם נָתַתִּי מִמֶּנָּה לְךָ בֵּן וּבֵרַכְתִּיהָ וְהָיְתָה לְגוֹיִם מַלְכֵי עַמִּים מִמֶּנָּה יִהְיוּ׃

English Translation

And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: and I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall issue from her.

Transliteration

Uverakhti otah vegam natati mimenah lekha ben uveraktiha vehayta legoyim malkhei amim mimenah yihyu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּבֵרַכְתִּ֣י אֹתָ֔הּ וְגַ֨ם נָתַ֧תִּי מִמֶּ֛נָּה לְךָ֖ בֵּ֑ן וּבֵֽרַכְתִּ֙יהָ֙ וְהָֽיְתָ֣ה לְגוֹיִ֔ם מַלְכֵ֥י עַמִּ֖ים מִמֶּ֥נָּה יִהְיֽוּ׃
וּבֵרַכְתִּ֣י אֹתָ֔הּ וְגַ֨ם נָתַ֧תִּי מִמֶּ֛נָּה לְךָ֖ בֵּ֑ן וּבֵֽרַכְתִּ֙יהָ֙ וְהָֽיְתָ֣ה לְגוֹיִ֔ם מַלְכֵ֥י עַמִּ֖ים מִמֶּ֥נָּה יִהְיֽוּ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 17:16) is part of Hashem's covenant with Avraham, where He promises blessings to Sarah and announces the future birth of Yitzchak. The verse emphasizes Sarah's pivotal role in the continuation of Avraham's lineage and the formation of future nations.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the repetition of "וּבֵרַכְתִּיהָ" ("and I will bless her") signifies two distinct blessings:

  • The first blessing refers to the restoration of Sarah's youth and beauty, enabling her to bear a child in her advanced age (based on Bereshit Rabbah 47:2).
  • The second blessing pertains to the Divine Presence (Shechinah) that would rest upon her tent, a spiritual elevation unique to Sarah.

Ibn Ezra's Insight

Ibn Ezra notes that the phrase "מִמֶּנָּה" ("from her") is repeated to stress that the future kings and nations will descend directly from Sarah, not from Hagar or Keturah. This underscores Sarah's exclusive role as the matriarch of the Jewish people.

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (1:42), Rambam interprets the promise of kings ("מַלְכֵי עַמִּים") as referring not only to physical descendants but also to spiritual leaders who would emerge from Sarah's lineage, guiding nations through wisdom and righteousness.

Midrashic Interpretation

Bereshit Rabbah (47:1) elaborates that "וְהָיְתָה לְגוֹיִם" ("she shall be a mother of nations") includes:

  • The Jewish people (through Yitzchak).
  • Edom and other nations (through Esav).
  • Future converts who would join the Jewish people, as Sarah was a model of hospitality and spiritual influence.

Halachic Implication

The Kli Yakar highlights that Sarah's blessing sets a precedent for the matrilineal transmission of Jewish identity. Just as Yitzchak's lineage is traced through Sarah, Jewish law follows the mother's line (based on Devarim 7:4 and Talmud Kiddushin 68b).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 17:16 mean when it says Sarah will be 'a mother of nations'?
A: This verse means that Sarah, the wife of Abraham, will not only bear a son (Isaac) but will also become the ancestress of many nations. According to Rashi, this refers to her descendants through Isaac (the Jewish people) and through her grandson Esau (the Edomites). The 'kings of peoples' refers to future rulers descended from her, including Jewish kings like David and Solomon.
Q: Why is Genesis 17:16 important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it establishes Sarah's key role in Jewish history as the matriarch of the Jewish people. The Rambam explains that Sarah's blessing was unique because she was previously barren, showing that her pregnancy was a divine miracle. This verse also confirms that the covenant with Abraham would continue through Sarah's son Isaac.
Q: How does Genesis 17:16 apply to Jewish life today?
A: This verse reminds us of Sarah's greatness as a matriarch and the importance of Jewish mothers in transmitting our heritage. The Talmud (Berachot 13a) teaches that we mention Sarah daily in prayers to remember her merit. It also shows that Jewish identity follows the maternal line (as established by Torah law), tracing back to Sarah.
Q: What can we learn from God blessing Sarah in Genesis 17:16?
A: We learn that God values both men and women in fulfilling the divine plan. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 47:1) explains that Sarah was as prophetically gifted as Abraham. Her blessing teaches that righteous women play an equally important role in Jewish destiny. The double blessing ('I will bless her' appears twice) shows her special status.
Q: Who are the 'kings of peoples' mentioned in Genesis 17:16?
A: Traditional Jewish sources identify these kings as including the Jewish kings (like David and Solomon) descended from Sarah through Isaac, as well as non-Jewish rulers descended from her through Esau (such as the Edomite kings). Rashi notes that even Nebuchadnezzar and other powerful rulers were ultimately descended from Sarah, showing her far-reaching influence.