What does שָׂרַי (šāray) mean in the Bible?
שָׂרַי (šāray) is a Hebrew word meaning "Sarai , the wife of Abraham".
Hebrew · H8297
שָׂרַי
Sarai , the wife of Abraham
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
שָׂרַי H8297
Pronunciation šāray
What does שָׂרַי (šāray) mean in the Bible?
שָׂרַי (šāray) is a Hebrew word meaning "Sarai , the wife of Abraham".
Full entry for שָׂרַי (H8297) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H8297?
The BSB source-word alignment has 17 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include Sarai (9), of Sarai (2), Then Sarai (2), - (1), As for Sarai (1).
Where does שָׂרַי (šāray) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 11:29. Its strongest book concentrations include Genesis (17).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It Sarai 9× Genesis 11:29, Genesis 11:31, Genesis 12:5, Genesis 12:11
of Sarai 2× Genesis 16:2, Genesis 16:8
Then Sarai 2× Genesis 16:5, Genesis 16:6
- 1× Genesis 16:6
As for Sarai 1× Genesis 17:15
But Sarai 1× Genesis 11:30
So Sarai 1× Genesis 16:2
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 11:29 שָׂרָ֔י to Sarai Noun - proper - feminine singular Genesis 11:30 שָׂרַ֖י to But Sarai Noun - proper - feminine singular Genesis 11:31 שָׂרַ֣י to Sarai Noun - proper - feminine singular Genesis 12:5 שָׂרַ֨י to Sarai Noun - proper - feminine singular Genesis 12:11 שָׂרַ֣י to Sarai Noun - proper - feminine singular Genesis 12:17 שָׂרַ֖י to Sarai Noun - proper - feminine singular Genesis 16:1 וְשָׂרַי֙ to Sarai Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular Genesis 16:2 שָׂרַ֜י to So Sarai Noun - proper - feminine singular Genesis 16:2 שָׂרָֽי׃ to of Sarai Noun - proper - feminine singular Genesis 16:3 שָׂרַ֣י to Sarai Noun - proper - feminine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Genesis 11:29
Aligned rows 17
Books represented 1
Genesis 17
Source forms
שָׂרַ֣י 6x śā·ray Genesis 11:31, Genesis 12:11, Genesis 16:3, Genesis 16:5
שָׂרַ֖י 2x śā·ray Genesis 11:30, Genesis 12:17
וְשָׂרַי֙ 1x wə·śā·ray Genesis 16:1
שָׂרַ֨י 1x śā·ray Genesis 12:5
שָׂרַ֜י 1x śā·ray Genesis 16:2
שָׂרַ֗י 1x śā·ray Genesis 16:6
שָׂרַ֔י 1x śā·ray Genesis 16:6
שָׂרַ֛י 1x śā·ray Genesis 16:8
Parsing patterns
Noun - proper - feminine singular 16x Genesis 11:29, Genesis 11:30, Genesis 11:31, Genesis 12:5
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular 1x Genesis 16:1
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Sarai , the wife of Abraham
Source Gloss
Sarai , the wife of Abraham
Extended definition
Sarai.
Word Origins
שָׂרַי is built from this root:
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain