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Galatians 4:23

Covenant and promises

21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage 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

    Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

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  • Romans 9:7–8

    Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

    Read in context

  • Genesis 21:1–2

    And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.

    Read in context

  • Genesis 18:10–14

    And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

    Read in context

  • Galatians 4:28–29

    Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

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  • Genesis 17:15–19

    And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.

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  • Romans 4:18–21

    Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

    Read in context

  • Romans 10:8

    But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

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