Galatians 4:27
25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
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
- For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”
- KJV
- For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
- WEB
- For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear. Break out and shout, you who don’t travail. For the desolate women have more children than her who has a husband.”
- ASV
- For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: For more are the children of the desolate than of her that hath the husband.
- DARBY
- For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break out and cry, thou that travailest not; because the children of the desolate are more numerous than [those] of her that has a husband.
- BLB
- For it has been written: “Rejoice O barren woman, the one not bearing; break forth and cry out, the one not travailing; because many more [are] the children of the desolate woman than of her having the husband.”
- ÅB
- for det er skrevet: Vær glad, du ufruktbare, du som ikke føder! bryt ut og rop, du som ikke har veer! for den enslige kvinnes barn er mange flere enn hennes som har mannen.
- OTB
- For det står skrevet:
"Gled deg, du ufruktbare, du som ikke føder;
bryt ut og rop, du som ikke har fødselsveer;
for flere er den ensliges barn
enn hennes som har en mann." - B1930
- for det er skrevet: Vær glad, du ufruktbare, du som ikke føder! bryt ut og rop, du som ikke har veer! for den enslige kvinnes barn er mange flere enn hennes som har mannen.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Isaiah 54:1–5
Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.
Read in contextPsalms 113:9
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.
Read in contextRuth 4:14–16
And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
Read in context1 Samuel 2:5
They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
Read in context1 Timothy 5:5
Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
Read in contextRuth 1:11–13
And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
Read in context2 Samuel 13:20
And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.
Read in contextIsaiah 49:21
Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?
Read in context