Galatians 4:24
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.
23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.
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.
26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
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
- 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.
- KJV
- Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
- WEB
- These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.
- ASV
- Which things contain an allegory: for these [women] are two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing children unto bondage, which is Hagar.
- DARBY
- Which things have an allegorical sense; for these are two covenants: one from mount Sinai, gendering to bondage, which is Hagar.
- BLB
- which things are allegorized, for these are two covenants: one indeed from Mount Sinai begetting unto slavery, which is Hagar.
- ÅB
- I dette ligger en dypere mening under; for disse kvinner er to pakter, den ene fra berget Sinai, og den føder barn inn i slaveri; dette er Hagar.
- OTB
- Disse tingene er en allegori: kvinnene representerer to pakter. Den ene er fra Sinai-fjellet, som føder til slaveri; hun er Hagar.
- B1930
- I dette ligger en dypere mening under; for disse kvinner er to pakter, den ene fra berget Sinai, og den føder barn til trældom; dette er Hagar.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Genesis 21:9–13
But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son,
Read in contextHosea 11:10
They will walk after the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west.
Read in context1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.
Read in contextHebrews 10:15–18
The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says:
Read in contextHebrews 12:24
to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Read in contextGenesis 16:8
“Hagar, servant of Sarai,” he said, “where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I am running away from my mistress Sarai,” she replied.
Read in contextMatthew 13:35
So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”
Read in contextGenesis 16:15–16
And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne.
Read in context