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Galatians 4:23

Covenant and promises

21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says?

22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.

His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.

24 These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar.

25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.
KJV
But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
WEB
However, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.
ASV
Howbeit the [son] by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the [son] by the freewoman [is born] through promise.
DARBY
But he [that was] of the maid servant was born according to flesh, and he [that was] of the free woman through the promise.
BLB
But indeed, the one of the slave woman has been born according to flesh, but the one of the free woman through the promise,
ÅB
men slavekvinnens sønn er født etter kjødet, den frie kvinnes derimot ifølge løftet.
OTB
Sønnen til trellkvinnen ble født etter kjødet, men sønnen til den frie kvinnen ble født ved løftet.
B1930
men trælkvinnens sønn er født efter kjødet, den frie kvinnes derimot ifølge løftet.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Hebrews 11:11

    By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised.

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  • Romans 9:7–8

    Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.”

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  • Genesis 21:1–2

    Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised.

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  • Genesis 18:10–14

    Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent.

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  • Galatians 4:28–29

    Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.

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  • Genesis 17:15–19

    Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai, for her name is to be Sarah.

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  • Romans 4:18–21

    Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”

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  • Romans 10:8

    But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:

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