Galatians 4 25

Galatians 4:25 kjv

For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

Galatians 4:25 nkjv

for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children?

Galatians 4:25 niv

Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.

Galatians 4:25 esv

Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.

Galatians 4:25 nlt

And now Jerusalem is just like Mount Sinai in Arabia, because she and her children live in slavery to the law.

Galatians 4 verses

Galatians 4 25 Meaning

Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia, which corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, and is in slavery with her children.

Galatians 4 25 Context

In Galatians chapter 4, Paul is contrasting two covenants and two allegorical mothers. He uses the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar to illustrate his point. Sarah, the free woman, represents the Jerusalem above, which is linked to the New Covenant. Hagar, the slave woman, represents Mount Sinai, which symbolizes the Old Covenant and its emphasis on the Law. This specific verse explains that Hagar and her offspring, corresponding to Mount Sinai and those under the Law, are in a state of bondage. Paul is addressing the Galatian believers who were being tempted to return to a legalistic understanding of faith, a return to bondage under the Law rather than freedom in Christ.

Galatians 4 25 Word Analysis

• Outer Gargar (οὕτως ἔχω in some translations, though the King James and many others read differently for this specific phrase - outer gar gar not the correct word): This verse has a varied textual reading, but the common Greek is Outōs Gargar, transliterated and meaning "Thus Hagar." (If following a variant reading of outer gar gar, which is not standard for this verse, the analysis would shift.) The focus here is on the allegorical representation of Hagar.
• esti (ἐστίν): "is." The third-person singular present indicative active of εἰμί (eimi), meaning "to be." This affirms a present identification.
• oros (ὄρος): "mountain." From the root word related to height or elevation.
• Sinai (Σινᾶ): "Sinai." The proper noun for the mountain where the Law was given.
• en (ἐν): "in." A preposition indicating location or connection.
• Arabia (Ἀραβίᾳ): "Arabia." Refers to the geographical region.
• de (δὲ): "but" or "and." A conjunction that adds or contrasts.
• nun (νῦν): "now." Indicates the present time or condition.
• he nyn (ἡ νῦν): "the present." This refers to Jerusalem in its current state.
• Ierousalem (Ἱερουσαλήμ): "Jerusalem." The city, significant both historically and theologically.
• kai (καὶ): "and" or "also." A conjunction connecting phrases or clauses.
• estin (ἐστιν): "is." Repeats the verb "to be."
• en (ἐν): "in."
• doulēia (δουλείᾳ): "slavery" or "bondage." From δοῦλος (doulos), meaning "slave." This is the core concept of opposition to freedom.
• meta (μετά): "with."
• tōn (τῶν): "the" (plural genitive).
• teknōn (τέκνων): "children." Plural of τέκνον (teknon).

Grouped Analysis:

• "Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia": This part of the verse links the individual, Hagar, allegorically to a geographical and covenantal place, Mount Sinai. Sinai is the specific location where the Mosaic Law was given, symbolizing the Old Covenant and its binding nature. The region "Arabia" is historically associated with the geographical proximity of Hagar's descendants.
• "But the present Jerusalem is in slavery with her children": This links the literal, earthly Jerusalem of Paul's time to the concept of slavery. This "present" Jerusalem is characterized by its adherence to the Law, mirroring Hagar's situation and the bondage associated with the Old Covenant. "Her children" refers to those who are still under the principles of the Law, not the covenant of grace through faith.

Galatians 4 25 Bonus Section

The use of "Jerusalem" is significant because it has dual meaning: the earthly, physical city, and the heavenly, spiritual Jerusalem, representing God's people and the realm of grace. Paul's emphasis on the "present" Jerusalem highlights the ongoing issue of legalism within the church. The contrast is not just between individuals but between two systems of access to God: one based on birth (flesh) and the other on divine promise and faith (grace). This allegory is a powerful tool to help the Galatians understand their identity in Christ and reject the Judaizers' teaching that imposed the Law upon believers. It emphasizes that true spiritual offspring are not those who follow a system of law but those who are born of the Spirit.

Galatians 4 25 Commentary

Paul uses a profound allegorical method, drawing parallels between the historical figures and events of the Old Testament and the spiritual realities of the New Testament. Hagar, Abraham's slave wife who bore Ishmael, is equated with Mount Sinai in Arabia. Mount Sinai is where the Mosaic Law was given, representing a covenant of bondage and the attempt to attain righteousness through obedience to external laws. This contrasts sharply with Sarah, Abraham's free wife, who represents the heavenly Jerusalem and the New Covenant. The "present Jerusalem" in this context refers to the physical city and its inhabitants who were trying to maintain their standing with God through the Law. Their "slavery" signifies their spiritual condition under the burden of the Law, unable to achieve true freedom or righteousness, which is found only in Christ. This verse starkly presents the incompatibility of these two covenants – the old covenant of Law (symbolized by Hagar/Sinai/earthly Jerusalem) and the new covenant of grace (symbolized by Sarah/heavenly Jerusalem).