Keraia
Galatians 4

Galatians 4:25

Hagar and Sarah · Galatians 4:21–31
Read Galatians 4

Translations

Modern
Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.
Traditional
For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Literal
Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.
Latin
Sina enim mons est in Arabia, qui conjunctus est ei quæ nunc est Jerusalem, et servit cum filiis suis.

Original

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

Notes

Galatians 4:25

  • Both Hagar and Mount Sinai were symbols of Jerusalem. They represented Judaism during Paul's time. Judaism continued to trust in the law and in being Abraham's descendants for their status before God (see John 8:31–59). They rejected Jesus as Messiah and remained bound to the law (Galatians 3:23–24; 4:1–3).

  • Mount Sinai in Arabia: Traditionally, Mount Sinai is located in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. However, some suggest that in Arabia means Mount Sinai was in Midian, where Moses once lived (see Exodus 3:1).

Galatians 4:24–25

Paul connects Abraham's effort to fulfill God's promises with the attempts in Galatia and other places to achieve salvation by following the law (4:23). Hagar, as a slave woman, represents Israel's bondage under the law. This contrasts with the freedom of those who have faith in Jesus Christ (4:26–27).

Galatians 4:21–31

  • Paul now returns to using Scripture to support his argument. He tells the story of two of Abraham's wives, Hagar and Sarah, and their children. He uses this story to show the difference between two types of people: those who are like slaves because they try to follow all the laws, and those who are free because they belong to Christ.

  • Paul uses a special way of explaining Bible stories (called allegory) that Jewish teachers used in those days (see study note on 4:24). Paul was trained as a rabbi (see Acts 22:3) and could effectively debate the Judaizers using their own methods.

Parallels

Genesis 21:9–21

People

Hagar: Sarah's Egyptian maidservant; mother of Ishmael

Places

Arabia: A region and its inhabitants, mentioned in various contexts Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions Sinai: Mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments

Glossary

Arabia, Arabs Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Faith Hagar Isaac Letter to the Galatians Mount Sinai New Jerusalem Peter, Second Letter of Sarah Zion

Topics

Abraham: God's Covenant With Abraham: Isaac Born To Abraham: Sends Hagar and Ishmael Away Christian Liberty: Typified Church of Israel: A Type of the Church of Christ Hagar: Called Agar Jerusalem of the Church Justification: General Scriptures Concerning Parables: The Two Covenants Sinai: Figurative