Galatians 4:24
What does Galatians 4:24 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 4:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 4:24 means
Paul states that these historical events “contain an allegory”: the two women represent two covenants. Hagar corresponds to the covenant from Mount Sinai, which bears children into bondage. This does not slander the Law but describes its function when made ultimate: it produces servitude by exposing sin and binding with commands. The imagery clarifies that trusting the Law for inheritance places one in a slave condition. By contrast (to be explained shortly), the covenant of promise produces freedom. Paul’s use of allegory is not fanciful but rooted in the Scripture’s own patterns, showing how God orchestrated history to teach gospel truths about the nature of true sonship.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Which things contain an allegory: for these women are two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing children unto bondage, which is Hagar.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Which things contain an allegory: for these women are two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing children unto bondage, which is Hagar.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Which things have a secret sense; because these women are the two agreements; one from the mountain of Sinai, giving birth to servants, which is Hagar.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862which things are allegorized, for these are the two covenants: one, indeed, from mount Sinai, to servitude bringing forth, which is Hagar;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Which things are said by an allegory. For these are the two testaments. The one from Mount Sina, engendering unto bondage, which is Agar.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Which things have an allegorical sense; for these are two covenants: one from mount Sinai, gendering to bondage, which is Hagar.
Context
After describing the sons’ different origins (v. 23), Paul now draws the allegorical line: two women, two covenants. Verse 24 introduces Hagar-Sinai-bondage, preparing for verse 25’s link to present Jerusalem and verse 26’s contrast with the Jerusalem above. This structure will culminate in a call to embrace freedom and reject bondage. The flow moves from identification to application, building a case that legalism aligns with the wrong side of the story.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 16:8
And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s handmaid, whence camest thou? and whither goest thou? And she said, I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai.
- Galatians 5:1
For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.
- Hebrews 12:24
and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than that of Abel.
- 1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.
- Hebrews 8:6
But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises.
- Matthew 13:35
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.
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