Definition: And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah [shall] her name [be].
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 17:15. It’s a really significant passage in the story of how God began to establish humanity! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is telling Abraham (a very important man in Jewish and Christian traditions) that he should call his wife Sarah “Sarah” – not “Sarai.” Let’s unpack it a bit further: “And God said unto Abraham…” : This tells us this is a divine instruction, something spoken by God. “…As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah [shall] her name be.” : This is the core of the verse. It’s saying that from now on , whenever Abraham’s wife (who was named Sarai) refers to him, he should always be called “Sarah.” Why is this important? This story is a cornerstone of Jewish and Christian tradition about the beginning of the universe and humanity. It's considered a pivotal moment because it establishes a key figure – Abraham – as the patriarch (father) of many nations and humans. What does it symbolize? The verse speaks to God’s plan for creation and establishing a lineage that will eventually lead to all people through his descendants. It’s about God’s control over the beginning of everything and setting up a pattern that would continue across generations. In short, this verse is a blessing – a promise from God that Sarah will become known as “Sarah” instead of Sarai. --- Do you want to know more about: The story behind Genesis 17:15? Its significance in Jewish and Christian history? A deeper understanding of the concept of "continuity" or "lineage"?