There's no word for priestess in the Bible. So why do I say that Sarah is one?

Hello friends, and welcome back to The Life of H: Sarah, Reimagined.

Today you'll learn why I claim that Sarah is a priestess and a prophet, despite the fact that the word kohenet, the feminine form of kohen, meaning priest, doesn’t appear anywhere in the Hebrew Bible. As for prophetess, nevi'ah in Hebrew, is a word that is ascribed to only 5 biblical women. And Sarah isn’t one of them.

So why do I claim that Sarah is both?

My poetic translation reveals one powerful reason.

And why does it matter?

After you read a direct word-for-word translation (below), and then listen to my poetic version, you can decide that for yourself.

Previously in this chapter: Earlier in Genesis 21, Sarah told Abraham to send Hagar, their maidservant, and Hagar’s son Ishmael, away into the desert, where they will be in grave danger of facing hunger and thirst — and possibly even death.

In today’s section, Genesis 21:11-13, Avraham resists this plan, but God assures him to do as Sarah says.

Here’s a direct translation:

11 And this thing was terrible in Avraham’s eyes on account of his son. 12 And God said to Avraham, “What seems wrong in your eyes, on account of the boy and your maidservant is not; all that Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice. Because it is through Yitzhak that your offspring will be called forth. 13 I will also bestow on the son of the maidservant a nation. Because he is your seed.

Listen to the audio of my poetic and restorative version, and notice what shifts inside of you with this re-imagined version.