Elizabeth Simon’s upcoming novel, Barren (scheduled for release in Spring 2025), is inspired by the true events of Genesis 11:27–12:20. In this blog post, we’ll explore the character of Isabelle and how she aligns with figures from the biblical narrative.
The protagonist of Barren, Isabelle—also known as Princess—is a composite of two biblical characters: Iscah and Sarai. Iscah is mentioned only once in the Bible, making her identity something of a mystery. Various theories attempt to explain who she was, and we’ll examine some of them here.
The Bible typically includes only details that are directly relevant to its message. If a person or event is mentioned, it carries significance. In Genesis 11:29, Iscah is introduced as the daughter of Haran and the sister of Milcah. While Milcah reappears in later passages as the grandmother of Rebekah (Isaac’s wife), Iscah vanishes from the biblical record. Why, then, is she mentioned at all?
Josephus, a respected Jewish historian, proposed that Iscah and Sarai were actually the same person. This idea is supported by similarities in Babylonian cuneiform script, where the names Sarai and Iscah bear a strong resemblance. Some scholars believe that a mistranslation may have occurred due to a connection with the name of a minor deity at the time.
The name Iscah means “to behold” or “to gaze upon.” This is intriguing because Sarai, despite being 65 years old, was so strikingly beautiful that the most powerful rulers of her time desired her as their wife. Could Iscah, the one meant to be gazed upon, actually be the same Sarai who captivated kings? One Jewish scholar suggests that Sarah underwent two name changes—one by her own choice and one by divine command. As she matured, she transitioned from Iscah, meaning “to be seen,” to Sarai, meaning “princess,” symbolizing her embrace of modesty and dignity.
Beyond her beauty, what do we know about Sarai’s heritage? If she was not Iscah, then she must have been another woman entirely—one omitted from the Genesis 11 genealogy. Yet, Genesis 20:12 tells us that Sarai was Abram’s half-sister, sharing the same father but not the same mother. How is this possible?
In ancient societies, if a man died before his father, his daughters would often be absorbed into the patriarch’s household. If Haran died before Terah, then his daughters—Milcah and Iscah—would have been considered Terah’s children. This would make Iscah Abram’s sister in the way Genesis 20:12 describes: “the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother.”
This raises another question: if Sarai was indeed Terah’s daughter, why is she absent from the genealogy in Genesis 11? Genealogies in ancient texts typically exclude women unless they play a crucial role later. Sarai’s omission seems unusual, given her significance in biblical history.
Some Jewish scholars connect the names Milcah (meaning “queen”) and Sarai (“princess”) to the titles of Mesopotamian goddesses. Sarratu (meaning “princess”) was a title for the moon goddess, while Malkatu (meaning “queen”) was linked to Ishtar, the goddess of love, fertility, and war. This could explain why a father might have named his daughters after these revered figures.
The Talmud, a key collection of Jewish law and tradition, further suggests that Iscah had prophetic abilities because of the meaning of her name “to see.” Jewish tradition views Sarah as a great prophetess, strengthening the link between the two names.
A Midrash (ancient Jewish commentary) offers another perspective on why Abram married Sarai. It suggests that Abram and his brother Nahor chose to marry their deceased brother’s daughters to provide them with protection—a necessity in a world where women had few rights. According to the Midrash, Abram allowed Nahor to choose his wife first. Nahor selected Milcah, the sister who was not barren, ensuring his lineage would continue. Abram, unconcerned with personal gain, married Sarai, demonstrating his selflessness. Marty Solomon explores this idea in episode 208 of his BEMA podcast.
Iscah’s identity remains a topic of rich debate. In Barren, the author embraces the theory that Iscah and Sarai were the same person. In this reimagining, Isabelle represents both. Isabelle is her given name, while “Princess” (the meaning of Sarai) serves as her Indian name, reflecting her journey and transformation.
