Sarah the priestess: the first matriarch of Genesis

Part One: Social implications

"Whatever Sarah tells you, do as she says"

Sarah as sister and wife

From Ur to Hebron, city of Sarah

The matriarchs' authority

Examining the non-patriarchal social system and genealogy in Genesis

Part Two: Religious implications

"Everyone who hears will laugh with me"

Religion in the ancient Near East

Oracular shrines and trading centers

Sarah as priestess

The Hieros Gamos

Supernatural conception

Part Three: Conclusions

The meaning of the life of Sarah

Appendix A: The Genesis texts

B: Traditional genealogical table of the patriarchs.