What if there was more to that story about Sarah and Hagar?
Welcome to the Life of H: Sarah, Reimagined, where we restore the divine feminine (and more) to the story
In this space I have spoken much about Sarah and Abraham, the first Matriarch and Patriarch of the Bible — each of whom received an H (ה in Hebrew) at their initiation and renaming. Today I shift my gaze to the third H-riarch: Hagar.
Hagar, unlike Abram and Sarai, didn’t need to be renamed with an additional H;
Hagar, who, despite a surface reading of the text, was a powerful spiritual pillar along with Sarah and Abraham;
Hagar, who also received a covenant from God;
Hagar who was also a matriarch to a new nation;
Hagar, who like Sarah and Abraham had a direct relationship with God;
Hagar, who is the only person in the Bible who gives God a name.
Hagar, with an H, for whole and holy.
Researching and reimagining the stories of these matriarchs and writing these poems helps me heal something in my heart that, for so long, I didn’t know was broken; the shattering absence of a myth, a legend, and a lineage that could support me, too, in becoming whole.
And so, I share with you these pieces, as I gather them back together into poems.
Today’s Poem
Here are a few things to know before listening to today’s poem:
In the the second of two episodes in Genesis in which Sarah is given over to a king, infertility plagues King Abimelech’s household. According to some sources, while in the king’s court, Sarah prays that Abimelech’s hand will wither if he touches her.
When at last Sarah is released from the royal court, and to restore harmony, Abimelech showers Abraham and Sarah with gifts of livestock and silver. He also offers Sarah the choice of servant girl to take with her.
That young woman is commonly assumed to have been Hagar.
Today’s Poem, “In the Months that Followed” imagines a budding — and complex — friendship between Sarah and Hagar. Listen here:
“In the Months that Followed,” ©️Tzivia Gover, Third House Moon, LLC, all rights reserved.
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Summer schedule:
This summer I’ll be traveling, teaching, and working on a deadline for my next project—so I’ll be publishing on a bi-weekly, rather than a weekly schedule.
If you’ve read this far … thank you! And I think you’ll also enjoy my other online publication: This Dream is a Poem.
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Recommended Reading
If you feel inspired to learn more about Hagar, the missing “H-riarch” start with these texts:
· Genesis, especially chapters 16:1–16; 17:18–26; 21:1–21
· Hagar the Egyptian by Savina J. Teubal
· Sarah the Priestess by Savina J. Teubal
· "A Historical Geography of Arabia,” by Rev. Charles
· Daughters of the Desert: Stories of Remarkable Women from Christian, Jewish and Muslim Traditions, by Claire Rudolph Murphy
· "Blessings of Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel" by Heather Farrell
Tzivia, This poem offers hope in spite of the misogynistic challenges Sarah faced. Thank you for offering it at this particular time–– it resonates so powerfully to my female ear.